What Can I Do if My FSSAI Application Gets Rejected?

To apply for a Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) certification, you'll need to go through several stages. There are four in total: application submission, the pre-application online questionnaire, the pre-application interview, and finally the final FSSAI assessment. However, there is still a chance that even after you've gone through all these steps and submitted your application, that it could be rejected. In this article we have broken down what you can do if your application gets rejected.

What Is FSSAI?

FSSAI is a food safety authority in India. It’s responsible for protecting public health by regulating the food industry, from farm to fork. To apply for fssai license, you must submit an Application Form and undergo an inspection. If your application is rejected, you can do a few things. You can appeal the decision: If you believe your application was incorrectly rejected, you can appeal the decision. You will need to provide additional information and evidence to support your case. The appeal process may take several months or even years, so be prepared for a long battle.

You can try to get your application approved anyway: If appealing the decision isn’t possible or you don’t want to wait that long, you can try to get your application approved anyway. However, this won’t be easy – the approval process is very strict and requires a lot of documentation. You can move on: If all else fails, you can move on and find another certification option. Many others are available in India, so it’s worth looking into them.

Rejection Reasons

If your FSSAI application gets rejected in India, there are several things you can do to try and get the application approved again. There are a few common reasons why FSSAI applications get rejected in India, but there is no one-size-fits-all answer for getting your application approved. Some of the most common reasons for an FSSAI application to be rejected in India include incorrect information on the application form, missing required documents, and mislabeling of products. You can try to correct any mistakes on your application form or documents before submitting them again, and you can also submit additional documentation if needed. 

You may also need to submit your application with a different form or at a different time of the year. There is no guaranteed way to get an FSSAI application approved in India, but by following these tips, you can increase your chances of success.

Steps to Resubmitting the Application

If you’ve received a rejection letter for your FSSAI application in India, don’t panic. There are still some steps you can take to try and get your application approved:

1. Be sure to read the rejection letter carefully. It will tell you what mistakes led to your application being rejected.
2. Make sure to correct those mistakes before submitting a new application. In addition, be sure to follow all the required documentation guidelines outlined in the FSSAI guidebook.
3. Try to contact the FSSAI regional office in India to ask questions or get clarification on specific guidelines.

Reconsideration of a Basic and State FSSAI License application that was denied:

• Within three months following refusal, applicants must submit a reactivation request to the State Food Safety Commissioner.
• A designated officer will assess the matter for merit after receiving the reactivation request.
• An email describing the applicant’s findings should be provided to the RC Division within 30 days of receiving a request from a food operator.
• The proposal will need to be sent to the IT department for the application reactivation procedure, according to the Designated Officers.
• The application that seems relevant will be evaluated by the IT department before being reactivated. Additionally, they will communicate with the DO/CFS under RCD’s supervision and give details regarding the reactivation.

Re-opening a Central License application that has been rejected:

• Within six months of the refusal date, applicants must submit an application to their local FSSAI Regional Office.
• The director of the RO will review the case for the verification process after taking the request into consideration.
• The head of the regional office will send the recommendation to the RCD (Regional Compliance Division) at enforcement1@fssai.gov.in after reviewing the request within 30 days.
• Following the RO’s advice, the RCD will look into the case.
• According to the recommendation, the Executive Director of the RCD would have the responsibility of serving as the final arbiter in such cases.
• The case will be forwarded to the IT Division upon RCD’s approval.
• In the worst-case scenario, an FBO might visit the FSSAI headquarters and receive a CEO evaluation.

Application for a Central Fssai License that has been rejected and needs to be submitted again must be made to the FSSAI Regional Office within six months of the rejection date.
The director of the RO will review the case for the verification process after taking the request into consideration.
The head of the regional office will send the recommendation to the RCD (Regional Compliance Division) at enforcement1@fssai.gov.in after reviewing the request within 30 days.
Following the RO’s advice, the RCD will look into the case.
According to the recommendation, the Executive Director of the RCD would have the responsibility of serving as the final arbiter in such cases.
The case will be forwarded to the IT Division upon RCD’s approval.
In dire situations, an FBO may visit the FSSAI headquarters and be evaluated by the CEO

How Long Does It Take for a New Application to Be Processed

It can take up to six months for a new FSSAI application to be processed. However, depending on the complexity of the application, it might take longer.

Types of Approvals Issued by the FSSAI

1.  No Objection Certificate (NOC) – If your product does not contain any prohibited items, you can receive a NOC from the FSSAI. This means that your product can be sold without requiring a license or approval from the agency.
2.  Approval with Conditions – If your product contains some prohibited items but does not exceed the maximum limits set by the FSSAI, you can receive approval with conditions. This means that you must follow specific guidelines to sell your product, and the FSSAI will periodically inspect your facility to ensure that you comply with these guidelines.
3.  Approval – If your product does not contain any prohibited items and does not exceed the maximum limits set by the FSSAI, you can receive approval from the agency. This means your product can be sold without requiring any other license or approval from the foscos login agency
4.  Registration Certificate (RC) – If your product contains some prohibited items and meets certain other requirements, you will be required to get a registration for your product. This means you have permission from the FSSAI to sell your product within India.

Conclusion

If you have recently applied for a Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) registration in India and your application has been rejected, don’t be discouraged. Many steps can be taken to try and obtain a registration certificate, even if your application has been rejected. You may need to submit additional documentation or appeal the decision. In some cases, it may be possible to get a registration certificate after the initial application has been rejected. However, do not wait until the last minute to take action – trying to secure an FSSAI registration on an individual basis can be very time-consuming and difficult. Let us, the Vakilsearch team, know if we can help you navigate these complicated bureaucratic waters.

FAQs

Why might my FSSAI application be rejected?

FSSAI applications can be rejected due to incomplete documentation, non-compliance with regulations, or discrepancies in provided information. Ensuring accuracy and thoroughness in your application is crucial to avoid rejection.

How can I find out the specific reason for my rejection?

To determine the specific reason for rejection, contact the FSSAI authority. They can provide detailed feedback on deficiencies or issues identified during the application review process, allowing you to address them efficiently.

What are my options after a rejection?

After rejection, you can rectify the identified issues and resubmit your application. Alternatively, you may appeal the decision by following the prescribed procedure outlined by the FSSAI. Understanding the grounds for rejection is vital in choosing the most appropriate course of action.

What steps should I take to address the rejection?

Thoroughly review the rejection notice, rectify the issues highlighted, and resubmit a comprehensive application. Seek guidance from FSSAI officials or experts to ensure compliance and improve the chances of approval upon reevaluation.

Where can I find additional resources on FSSAI regulations and application procedures?

Explore the official FSSAI website for comprehensive information on regulations and application procedures. Additionally, you can refer to official publications, guidance documents, or consult with FSSAI representatives to gain insights and clarity on the application process and compliance requirements.

Read more,

• FSSAI Registration Requirements
• Tips to Create FSSAI Login In India
• FSSAI State License vs Central License