FSSAI made Closure Report mandatory for Expired Licenses

FSSAI made Closure Report mandatory for Expired Licenses. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued an important order on May 16, 2025, addressing the mandatory submission of closure reports by food businesses whose FSSAI licenses or registrations have expired. This order applies to all Food Business Operators (FBOs) across India and introduces clear regulatory steps to ensure that expired licenses are properly reported and accounted for in the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal.
Below, we explain every part of the order in clear paragraphs, so food business owners and compliance teams can fully understand the requirements and avoid penalties.
Introduction to the Order
The order, issued by the Executive Director (Compliance Strategy) of FSSAI, Dr. Satyen Kumar Panda, is an official directive under file number RCD-05007/1/2021-Regulatory-FSSAI-Part (5). It is aimed at strengthening the regulatory framework under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The FSSAI, being the statutory authority responsible for food safety in India, requires that every food business with an expired license or registration must formally submit a closure report.
This directive is essential for maintaining transparency, accountability, and public safety in the food sector.
What Does the Closure Report Require?
According to the order, all Food Business Operators (FBOs) whose licenses or registrations expired during the financial year 2024-25 are required to submit a Closure Report. This report is a formal declaration stating two critical points:

Confirmation that no food business activity is being conducted at the premises covered under the expired FSSAI license or registration.

Confirmation of whether a new license or registration has been obtained for the same premises.

Additionally, FBOs must provide specific reasons for the non-renewal of their FSSAI license. These reasons help FSSAI understand why businesses have chosen to close or not renew, improving transparency.
Applicability to Future Expired Licenses
The order is not only applicable to licenses that have already expired but also applies to all future cases where licenses or registrations expire. Going forward, whenever an FSSAI license or registration expires, the concerned Food Business Operator must submit the reasons for either the closure of the business or the non-renewal of the license.
These submissions must be made through the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal, which is the official online system managed by FSSAI. This step is crucial for maintaining clear traceability of all businesses operating under food safety regulations.
Legal Consequences of Non-Compliance
The order explicitly warns that operating a food business on an expired FSSAI license or registration is a violation of Section 31 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Such a violation can attract a heavy penalty — up to Rs.10 lakh — under Section 63 of the Act. This penalty is imposed to ensure that no food business continues to operate illegally after its official license has expired. FBOs must take this requirement seriously to avoid legal consequences, financial loss, and potential damage to reputation.
Email Notifications Through FoSCoS
The FSSAI has put in place a system to send automated email notices to food businesses whose licenses or registrations have expired. These notices, titled “Notice for closure of food business,” are sent through the FoSCoS portal to the registered email addresses of FBOs.
It is the responsibility of every Food Business Operator to ensure that the email ID provided in the FoSCoS portal is up to date. Without an updated email, businesses may miss critical notifications, leading to non-compliance.
A User Manual is also provided by FSSAI to guide businesses on how to file the reasons for non-renewal of licenses or registrations on the FoSCoS portal. This manual serves as an important reference for compliance teams.
Approval and Sign-Off
The order was issued with the approval of the competent authority within FSSAI. It bears the signature of Dr. Satyen Kumar Panda, Executive Director (Compliance Strategy), confirming its authenticity and making it a binding directive for all concerned stakeholders.
Recipients of the Order
The order is addressed to:

All food business operators and food safety mitras.

Commissioners of Food Safety and Directors at regional offices.

The IT Division, FSSAI, with a request to email all FBOs whose licenses or registrations have expired during FY 2024-25.

A copy has also been sent to the PA to CEO, FSSAI for official records.
Importance of Transparency and Traceability
The reason FSSAI insists on these closure reports is to ensure full traceability of food businesses in the Indian market. When a license expires, the regulator needs to know if the business has genuinely shut down or if it continues to operate illegally.
This system ensures that:

The food safety database remains accurate.

No unlicensed operator stays hidden from oversight.

Public health is protected through proper checks and balances.

Role of the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS)
FoSCoS is the central digital system that manages all FSSAI-related licenses, renewals, and compliance submissions. It is designed to make compliance easier and more efficient for food businesses across India.
All submissions of closure reasons, non-renewal explanations, and new license confirmations must be done through this portal. This online system enhances accountability and allows regulators to monitor the status of all FBOs in real time.
Final Thoughts
Thus, submitting the closure report is not just a procedural formality — it is a legal responsibility.
Final Thoughts
The FSSAI’s May 16, 2025, order reinforces the importance of maintaining active, valid licenses for all food businesses in India. It emphasizes accountability, transparency, and legal compliance to safeguard consumer health and the integrity of the food supply chain. Food Business Operators must act promptly to submit closure reports, avoid penalties, and ensure they remain on the right side of the law.
If you operate a food business, ensure your compliance team is fully informed about these new requirements and uses the FoSCoS portal effectively to manage all submissions.

Penalties up to Rs.10 lakh under Section 63.

Legal proceedings for violating the Food Safety and Standards Act.

Suspension or blacklisting of the business entity from future licensing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who needs to submit a closure report?
Ans. All Food Business Operators (FBOs) whose FSSAI license or registration expired during FY 2024-25 or in future must submit a closure report.
Q2. What should the closure report include?
Ans. The closure report must confirm that no food business activity is happening on the expired license premises and whether a new license or registration has been obtained.
Q3. Where do I submit the closure report?
Ans. You must submit the closure report through the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal.
Q4. What happens if I do not submit the closure report?
Ans. Not submitting the report or continuing operations on an expired license is a violation of Section 31 and can attract a penalty of up to Rs.10 lakh under Section 63.
Q5. Will I receive a reminder or notice?
Ans. Yes, FSSAI sends email notices titled “Notice for closure of food business” through the FoSCoS portal to the email registered by the FBO.
Q6. How do I update my email in the FoSCoS portal?
Ans. You need to log in to the FoSCoS portal and ensure your registered email address is current so you can receive important compliance notifications.
Q7. What if I plan to apply for a new license after expiry?
Ans. Even if you plan to apply for a new license, you must confirm this in the closure report and explain the status of your license.
Q8. Is the submission of reasons for non-renewal mandatory?
Ans. Yes, you must provide specific reasons for non-renewal to ensure regulatory transparency and proper closure.
Q9. Who is responsible for compliance?
Ans. The Food Business Operator (FBO) is responsible for ensuring timely submission of closure reports and compliance with all FSSAI directives.
Q10. Where can I get help on filing the closure report?
Ans. A User Manual is provided by FSSAI to help businesses file reasons for non-renewal or closure on the FoSCoS portal.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued an important order on May 16, 2025, addressing the mandatory submission of closure reports by food businesses whose FSSAI licenses or registrations have expired. This order applies to all Food Business Operators (FBOs) across India and introduces clear regulatory steps to ensure that expired licenses are properly reported and accounted for in the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal.

Below, we explain every part of the order in clear paragraphs, so food business owners and compliance teams can fully understand the requirements and avoid penalties.

Introduction to the Order

The order, issued by the Executive Director (Compliance Strategy) of FSSAI, Dr. Satyen Kumar Panda, is an official directive under file number RCD-05007/1/2021-Regulatory-FSSAI-Part (5). It is aimed at strengthening the regulatory framework under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The FSSAI, being the statutory authority responsible for food safety in India, requires that every food business with an expired license or registration must formally submit a closure report.

This directive is essential for maintaining transparency, accountability, and public safety in the food sector.

What Does the Closure Report Require?

According to the order, all Food Business Operators (FBOs) whose licenses or registrations expired during the financial year 2024-25 are required to submit a Closure Report. This report is a formal declaration stating two critical points:

Confirmation that no food business activity is being conducted at the premises covered under the expired FSSAI license or registration.
Confirmation of whether a new license or registration has been obtained for the same premises.

Applicability to Future Expired Licenses

The order is not only applicable to licenses that have already expired but also applies to all future cases where licenses or registrations expire. Going forward, whenever an FSSAI license or registration expires, the concerned Food Business Operator must submit the reasons for either the closure of the business or the non-renewal of the license.

These submissions must be made through the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal, which is the official online system managed by FSSAI. This step is crucial for maintaining clear traceability of all businesses operating under food safety regulations.

Legal Consequences of Non-Compliance

The order explicitly warns that operating a food business on an expired FSSAI license or registration is a violation of Section 31 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Such a violation can attract a heavy penalty — up to Rs.10 lakh — under Section 63 of the Act. This penalty is imposed to ensure that no food business continues to operate illegally after its official license has expired. FBOs must take this requirement seriously to avoid legal consequences, financial loss, and potential damage to reputation.

Email Notifications Through FoSCoS

The FSSAI has put in place a system to send automated email notices to food businesses whose licenses or registrations have expired. These notices, titled “Notice for closure of food business,” are sent through the FoSCoS portal to the registered email addresses of FBOs.

It is the responsibility of every Food Business Operator to ensure that the email ID provided in the FoSCoS portal is up to date. Without an updated email, businesses may miss critical notifications, leading to non-compliance.

A User Manual is also provided by FSSAI to guide businesses on how to file the reasons for non-renewal of licenses or registrations on the FoSCoS portal. This manual serves as an important reference for compliance teams.

Approval and Sign-Off

The order was issued with the approval of the competent authority within FSSAI. It bears the signature of Dr. Satyen Kumar Panda, Executive Director (Compliance Strategy), confirming its authenticity and making it a binding directive for all concerned stakeholders.

Recipients of the Order

The order is addressed to:

All food business operators and food safety mitras.
Commissioners of Food Safety and Directors at regional offices.
The IT Division, FSSAI, with a request to email all FBOs whose licenses or registrations have expired during FY 2024-25.

A copy has also been sent to the PA to CEO, FSSAI for official records.

Importance of Transparency and Traceability

The reason FSSAI insists on these closure reports is to ensure full traceability of food businesses in the Indian market. When a license expires, the regulator needs to know if the business has genuinely shut down or if it continues to operate illegally.

This system ensures that:

The food safety database remains accurate.
No unlicensed operator stays hidden from oversight.
Public health is protected through proper checks and balances.

Role of the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS)

FoSCoS is the central digital system that manages all FSSAI-related licenses, renewals, and compliance submissions. It is designed to make compliance easier and more efficient for food businesses across India.

All submissions of closure reasons, non-renewal explanations, and new license confirmations must be done through this portal. This online system enhances accountability and allows regulators to monitor the status of all FBOs in real time.

Final Thoughts

Thus, submitting the closure report is not just a procedural formality — it is a legal responsibility.

Final Thoughts

The FSSAI’s May 16, 2025, order reinforces the importance of maintaining active, valid licenses for all food businesses in India. It emphasizes accountability, transparency, and legal compliance to safeguard consumer health and the integrity of the food supply chain. Food Business Operators must act promptly to submit closure reports, avoid penalties, and ensure they remain on the right side of the law.

If you operate a food business, ensure your compliance team is fully informed about these new requirements and uses the FoSCoS portal effectively to manage all submissions.

Penalties up to Rs.10 lakh under Section 63.
Legal proceedings for violating the Food Safety and Standards Act.
Suspension or blacklisting of the business entity from future licensing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Who needs to submit a closure report?

Ans. All Food Business Operators (FBOs) whose FSSAI license or registration expired during FY 2024-25 or in future must submit a closure report.

Q2. What should the closure report include?

Ans. The closure report must confirm that no food business activity is happening on the expired license premises and whether a new license or registration has been obtained.

Q3. Where do I submit the closure report?

Ans. You must submit the closure report through the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal.

Q4. What happens if I do not submit the closure report?

Ans. Not submitting the report or continuing operations on an expired license is a violation of Section 31 and can attract a penalty of up to Rs.10 lakh under Section 63.

Q5. Will I receive a reminder or notice?

Ans. Yes, FSSAI sends email notices titled “Notice for closure of food business” through the FoSCoS portal to the email registered by the FBO.

Q6. How do I update my email in the FoSCoS portal?

Ans. You need to log in to the FoSCoS portal and ensure your registered email address is current so you can receive important compliance notifications.

Q7. What if I plan to apply for a new license after expiry?

Ans. Even if you plan to apply for a new license, you must confirm this in the closure report and explain the status of your license.

Q8. Is the submission of reasons for non-renewal mandatory?

Ans. Yes, you must provide specific reasons for non-renewal to ensure regulatory transparency and proper closure.

Q9. Who is responsible for compliance?

Ans. The Food Business Operator (FBO) is responsible for ensuring timely submission of closure reports and compliance with all FSSAI directives.

Q10. Where can I get help on filing the closure report?

Ans. A User Manual is provided by FSSAI to help businesses file reasons for non-renewal or closure on the FoSCoS portal.