MoHFW Notifies Amendments to FSSAI Licensing and Registration Regulations

• Dushyant Sharma
• 27 Jun 2026
• 18 Views

To promote a transparent and business-friendly regulatory environment for food business operators, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced amendments to Food Safety and Standards Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses Regulations 2011 under Food Safety and Standards Act 2006. These amendments were published through Food Safety and Standards Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses Amendment Regulations 2026. 

The FSS amendments 2026 aim to make compliance requirements simpler for food businesses. At the same time, they make sure the essential food safety and traceability measures are upheld in areas where they are most needed. 

Key Changes under FSS Amendment Regulations 2026

Under existing regulatory framework, all licensed food businesses had to maintain records. Also, they were required to follow stock rotation practices on the basis of principles of First In, First Out (FIFO) or First Expiry, First Out (FEFO). However, after the amendments, these requirements will now apply only to food manufacturing businesses, where such controls are quintessential for food safety, quality assurance and product traceability. Non-manufacturing food businesses like retailers and similar entities have been exempted from certain regulatory requirements under FSS amendment regulations 2026. 

It is anticipated that this decision by the Ministry will greatly reduce compliance burden faced by food business operators, especially small and medium enterprises. At the same time, they are expected to ensure strong food safety oversight in areas where it is needed. The amendments are a part of Ministry's agenda for regulatory reforms that intend to promote ease of doing business and risk-based and outcome-oriented regulation within the food sector. 

Other Reforms by MoHFW 

In recent years, several measures have been introduced by MoHFW so as to simplify compliance for food business operators. These measures include provision of perpetual licenses/registrations, revision of turnover thresholds, removal of dual compliance requirements for street food vendors and risk-based inspection system’s implementation. Extensive consultations were held with states, union territories and various stakeholders from the food business ecosystem before the finalization of reforms.

The amendments also align with the recommendations of the High-Level Committee on Non-Financial Regulatory Reforms, which was constituted by NITI Aayog. This committee urged that there was a need to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens while ensuring effective oversight. Through science based regulations, stakeholder consultations and regulatory simplification measures, MoHFW remains committed to strengthening food safety framework of the country.

Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB)