What is Food Safety and Compliance System (FoSCoS)?

What is Food Safety and Compliance System (FoSCoS)?. The Food Safety and Compliance System (FoSCoS), launched by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on May 28, 2020, marks a significant milestone in ensuring seamless regulatory compliance for food businesses across India. Replacing the existing Food Licensing and Registration System (FLRS), this upgraded, cloud-based platform is designed to make processes like licensing, registration, and compliance management more efficient, transparent, and accessible for Food Business Operators (FBOs).
FoSCoS is a step towards achieving a strong framework for food safety by incorporating advanced technological features. It is an integrated solution aimed at simplifying the regulatory landscape for food businesses and addressing operational inefficiencies of its predecessor.
Transition from FLRS to FoSCoS
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India issued a notification on May 28, 2020, announcing that FoSCoS would replace FLRS. Initially launched in nine states and union territories, including Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Goa, and Puducherry, FoSCoS is set to roll out nationwide in a phased manner. Existing FLRS users in these regions can seamlessly log in to the new system using their current credentials. For other states, the transition will occur gradually, and the older licensing platform will be discontinued.
While FBOs operating on Indian Railways and other specific authorities are required to continue using FLRS temporarily, consumer grievance redressal will remain active on FLRS until its upgraded version is integrated into FoSCoS.
Objectives of FoSCoS
FoSCoS aims to build a comprehensive food safety compliance ecosystem. The primary objectives include:
1. Streamlined Food Safety Compliance: Establishing a district and state-wise food safety compliance matrix for better monitoring and control.
2. Improved Inspection Processes: Reducing inspection time while ensuring transparency and validation of reports.
3. Quick Response to Emergencies: Enabling faster actions during food safety emergencies to minimize risks.
4. Integration with Other Applications: Providing a one-stop portal for licensing, registration, inspection, and annual returns filing.
5. Transparent Framework: Building a transparent inspection and compliance verification system to reduce deviations. 
By addressing these objectives, FoSCoS seeks to create a strong foundation for food safety governance in India.
Types of FSSAI License or Registration Where FoSCoS Portal is Required
The Food Safety and Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal, introduced by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), facilitates licensing and registration for various types of food businesses. Depending on the scale and nature of operations, Food Business Operators (FBOs) are required to obtain a specific type of FSSAI license or registration through the FoSCoS portal. Below is a detailed overview of the types of FSSAI licenses or registrations available on the platform:
1. FSSAI Basic Registration
-Applicability: For small-scale food businesses with an annual turnover of up to ?12 lakh.
-Examples:
-Petty food manufacturers.
-Hawkers, roadside vendors, or temporary stallholders.
-Cottage industries engaged in food production.
-Purpose: Ensures basic compliance for small businesses that primarily operate at the local level.
2. FSSAI State License
-Applicability: For medium-sized food businesses with an annual turnover between ?12 lakh and ?20 crore.
-Examples:
-Food manufacturers, processors, and packagers operating within a state.
-Medium-sized food storage units and transport operators.
-Restaurants and catering services with a limited operational scale.
-Purpose: This license is issued by the state authority to ensure compliance with food safety norms for businesses operating within a specific state.
3. FSSAI Central License
-Applicability: For large-scale food businesses or those with operations in multiple states and an annual turnover of more than Rs.20 crore.
-Examples:
-Food importers and exporters.
-Large-scale manufacturers and storage units.
-Businesses involved in e-commerce food operations.
-Food chains and central kitchens catering to multiple states
-Purpose: The central license is issued by FSSAI’s central authority to enable businesses to operate seamlessly across states and manage high-volume operations. 
Enhanced Features of FoSCoS
FoSCoS introduces several advanced features to improve user experience and operational efficiency:
1. Faster Processing: Enhanced speed for processing applications and improved scalability to handle increased user traffic.
2. Standardized Licensing for Manufacturers: Licenses are now granted based on a predefined list of standardized products, eliminating the need for extensive data entry.
3. User-Friendly Interface: A simplified home page with intelligent search options for license eligibility and standardized products.
4. Annual Returns Filing: A new module enables online submission of annual returns, replacing manual processes.
5. Integration of FoSCoRIS Reports: Inspection reports from the FoSCoRIS application are seamlessly integrated into FoSCoS for better tracking and validation.
6. Customized Documentation: A Kind of Business (KoB)-specific list of required documents is displayed instead of showing all 29 options, reducing confusion.
7. Advanced Authentication: Captures PAN, CIN, and GST numbers for a 360-degree profiling of FBOs.
8. Detailed Dashboards: Improved menus and dashboards tailored for licensing and registration authorities, aligned with various application stages. 
Services Offered by FoSCoS
FoSCoS caters to a wide range of services for FBOs, ensuring a smooth compliance experience:
1. Registration for Petty Food Businesses: Enables small-scale operators like hawkers and roadside vendors to register their businesses online.
2. Licensing Services:
-For restaurants, food manufacturers, proprietary foods, and other businesses.
-Includes renewal and modification of licenses.
3. Endorsement Services:
-Fortified and organic food products.
4. Quarterly and Annual Returns Filing: For exporters and other businesses.
5. License Management:Transfer, surrender, or modification of licenses.
6. Support for Importers and Exporters: Facilitates compliance for businesses engaged in food trade.
7. Special Licenses: For mid-day meal programs, e-commerce platforms, and airport/seaport operations. 
Key Features for Specific Business Types
1. Petty Food Businesses: FoSCoS introduces registration options for small businesses, simplifying compliance for hawkers, vendors, and small-scale operators.
2. Manufacturing Licenses: A significant change in methodology is the use of a standardized product list, ensuring consistency and reducing processing time. Non-standard categories like supplements and proprietary foods continue under the old framework.
3. Inspection and Reporting: Integrated inspection reports ensure transparency and allow authorities to validate compliance efforts effectively. 
Filing Annual Returns via FoSCoS
Filing annual returns is now a hassle-free process through FoSCoS. FBOs can submit their returns for the financial year directly on the platform. This feature eliminates the need for manual submissions, saving time and resources for businesses and authorities.
Documents Required for Registration and Licensing
For New License:
-Photograph of the applicant.
-Government-issued photo ID (e.g., Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID).
-Address proof of the business premises. 
For Renewal/Modification:
-Updated details of technical personnel.
-Medical fitness certificates for workers.
-Food Safety Management System certificate. 
How to Use FoSCoS?
1. User Registration:
-Visit the official FoSCoS portal.
-Click on "Sign Up" and fill in the required details.
-Verify the account using the OTP sent to the registered mobile and email.
-Log in with the credentials.
2. Application for Registration/License:
-Log in to the portal and navigate to the “License/Registration” section.
-Select “Apply for New License/Registration” and provide business details as per Form-B.
3. Renewal of License:
-Submit renewal applications 120 to 30 days before the license expiry.

The Food Safety and Compliance System (FoSCoS), launched by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on May 28, 2020, marks a significant milestone in ensuring seamless regulatory compliance for food businesses across India. Replacing the existing Food Licensing and Registration System (FLRS), this upgraded, cloud-based platform is designed to make processes like licensing, registration, and compliance management more efficient, transparent, and accessible for Food Business Operators (FBOs).

FoSCoS is a step towards achieving a strong framework for food safety by incorporating advanced technological features. It is an integrated solution aimed at simplifying the regulatory landscape for food businesses and addressing operational inefficiencies of its predecessor.

Transition from FLRS to FoSCoS

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India issued a notification on May 28, 2020, announcing that FoSCoS would replace FLRS. Initially launched in nine states and union territories, including Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Goa, and Puducherry, FoSCoS is set to roll out nationwide in a phased manner. Existing FLRS users in these regions can seamlessly log in to the new system using their current credentials. For other states, the transition will occur gradually, and the older licensing platform will be discontinued.

While FBOs operating on Indian Railways and other specific authorities are required to continue using FLRS temporarily, consumer grievance redressal will remain active on FLRS until its upgraded version is integrated into FoSCoS.

Objectives of FoSCoS

FoSCoS aims to build a comprehensive food safety compliance ecosystem. The primary objectives include:

1. Streamlined Food Safety Compliance: Establishing a district and state-wise food safety compliance matrix for better monitoring and control.

2. Improved Inspection Processes: Reducing inspection time while ensuring transparency and validation of reports.

3. Quick Response to Emergencies: Enabling faster actions during food safety emergencies to minimize risks.

4. Integration with Other Applications: Providing a one-stop portal for licensing, registration, inspection, and annual returns filing.

5. Transparent Framework: Building a transparent inspection and compliance verification system to reduce deviations.

By addressing these objectives, FoSCoS seeks to create a strong foundation for food safety governance in India.

Types of FSSAI License or Registration Where FoSCoS Portal is Required

The Food Safety and Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal, introduced by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), facilitates licensing and registration for various types of food businesses. Depending on the scale and nature of operations, Food Business Operators (FBOs) are required to obtain a specific type of FSSAI license or registration through the FoSCoS portal. Below is a detailed overview of the types of FSSAI licenses or registrations available on the platform:

1. FSSAI Basic Registration

-Applicability: For small-scale food businesses with an annual turnover of up to ?12 lakh.

-Examples:

-Petty food manufacturers.

-Hawkers, roadside vendors, or temporary stallholders.

-Cottage industries engaged in food production.

-Purpose: Ensures basic compliance for small businesses that primarily operate at the local level.

2. FSSAI State License

-Applicability: For medium-sized food businesses with an annual turnover between ?12 lakh and ?20 crore.

-Examples:

-Food manufacturers, processors, and packagers operating within a state.

-Medium-sized food storage units and transport operators.

-Restaurants and catering services with a limited operational scale.

-Purpose: This license is issued by the state authority to ensure compliance with food safety norms for businesses operating within a specific state.

3. FSSAI Central License

-Applicability: For large-scale food businesses or those with operations in multiple states and an annual turnover of more than Rs.20 crore.

-Examples:

-Food importers and exporters.

-Large-scale manufacturers and storage units.

-Businesses involved in e-commerce food operations.

-Food chains and central kitchens catering to multiple states

-Purpose: The central license is issued by FSSAI’s central authority to enable businesses to operate seamlessly across states and manage high-volume operations.

Enhanced Features of FoSCoS

FoSCoS introduces several advanced features to improve user experience and operational efficiency:

1. Faster Processing: Enhanced speed for processing applications and improved scalability to handle increased user traffic.

2. Standardized Licensing for Manufacturers: Licenses are now granted based on a predefined list of standardized products, eliminating the need for extensive data entry.

3. User-Friendly Interface: A simplified home page with intelligent search options for license eligibility and standardized products.

4. Annual Returns Filing: A new module enables online submission of annual returns, replacing manual processes.

5. Integration of FoSCoRIS Reports: Inspection reports from the FoSCoRIS application are seamlessly integrated into FoSCoS for better tracking and validation.

6. Customized Documentation: A Kind of Business (KoB)-specific list of required documents is displayed instead of showing all 29 options, reducing confusion.

7. Advanced Authentication: Captures PAN, CIN, and GST numbers for a 360-degree profiling of FBOs.

8. Detailed Dashboards: Improved menus and dashboards tailored for licensing and registration authorities, aligned with various application stages.

Services Offered by FoSCoS

FoSCoS caters to a wide range of services for FBOs, ensuring a smooth compliance experience:

1. Registration for Petty Food Businesses: Enables small-scale operators like hawkers and roadside vendors to register their businesses online.

2. Licensing Services:

-For restaurants, food manufacturers, proprietary foods, and other businesses.

-Includes renewal and modification of licenses.

3. Endorsement Services:

-Fortified and organic food products.

4. Quarterly and Annual Returns Filing: For exporters and other businesses.

5. License Management:Transfer, surrender, or modification of licenses.

6. Support for Importers and Exporters: Facilitates compliance for businesses engaged in food trade.

7. Special Licenses: For mid-day meal programs, e-commerce platforms, and airport/seaport operations.

Key Features for Specific Business Types

1. Petty Food Businesses: FoSCoS introduces registration options for small businesses, simplifying compliance for hawkers, vendors, and small-scale operators.

2. Manufacturing Licenses: A significant change in methodology is the use of a standardized product list, ensuring consistency and reducing processing time. Non-standard categories like supplements and proprietary foods continue under the old framework.

3. Inspection and Reporting: Integrated inspection reports ensure transparency and allow authorities to validate compliance efforts effectively.

Filing Annual Returns via FoSCoS

Filing annual returns is now a hassle-free process through FoSCoS. FBOs can submit their returns for the financial year directly on the platform. This feature eliminates the need for manual submissions, saving time and resources for businesses and authorities.