FSSAI License Number Mandatory To Be Mentioned in Restaurant Invoices & Bills

With effect from October 1, 2021, the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) have mandated the display of FSSAI Registration number of the Food Business Operators to be on every bill, invoice, cash receipt/cash memo.

Earlier FSSAI number was compulsory to be mentioned on all the packaged food labels. That was restricted to those who sell packaged food, but what about restaurants, mithai shops, caterers, or retail shops. Now it is made compulsory and covers all the Food Business Operators. However, there are still exemptions for GST e-way bills and such government documents which are system generated.

Even in the case of pre-packaged food where the manufacturer’s FSSAI license number is printed on the packet, there still was a deficit in tracking the path of the package from manufacturer to consumer, which now can be traced easily.  Like in the case of transporters issuing transport challan/bill etc and an invoice, then FSSAI number needs to be mentioned on both the documents.

One more reason mentioned by the government for this amendment is awaring people about the FSSAI Licenses. 

This was about the notification. 

Now the question arises: 

• What was the need or necessity of this?
• Is it going to have a bad impact on all the Food Business Operators?

What was the need or necessity of this?

So let’s take your first question about its need or necessity. So in the notice itself, they mentioned the reason for mandating the FSSAI number on every invoice, bill, and cash memo. 

They said, “Any credible regulatory structure depends upon a robust customer grievance system wherein service/product recipients can complain for redressal. However, if the FSSAI number is not available to him, expecting him to complain with the complete coordinates is an uphill task. Even regulators find it difficult to trace the origin of a complaint and attend to it promptly with approximate addresses. No database can be created without a unique locator code, which in case of food safety is the FSSAI number.”

In simpler and easy words it is meant to ease the process for consumers to complain to any of the food businesses if they find anything not appropriate. And also it makes it easy for the competent authority to track the food business operators using the unique FSSAI number of the business operators in case of any complaint. This in a way creates more transparency between consumers and the food businesses. Here the next questions start about its impact on Food Business Operators.

Is it going to have a bad impact on all the Food Business Operators?

If speaking frankly and honestly, it is not going to impact any of the food business operators in a bad or negative way. Why are we saying so?

This mandate will create transparency and a pillar of trust between the food businesses with the consumers. If you are operating with everything under the rules and regulations and treating every customer with the utmost respect(which every FBO should do), then why would any business owner or operator have any worry about this new policy. 

We are pretty much sure that all of you are well aware of the importance of transparency in the business. Business transparency is the process of being open, honest, and straightforward about various company operations. From increasing employee retention to boosting sales, transparency can do a lot for your business’s reputation and success.

So, if you are a consumer then be happy with the new amendment. It has made a big favor to the consumers. Why only consumers? If you are someone who has a food business then also you get one more way to connect with your consumers and show them your authenticity by displaying the FSSAI number.

If you are someone who still doesn’t understand anything about FSSAI Registration, then we would suggest you click on FSSAI Registration to know all about it.

Feel free to mention your opinion on this new policy in the comment section.