THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
NEW DELHI, JUNE 26, 2026
Reinforcing the Government's commitment to creating a
transparent, efficient and business-friendly regulatory environment, the
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has notified significant amendments to
the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses)
Regulations, 2011, aimed at reducing compliance burdens while preserving robust
food safety standards.
The amendments, notified under the Food Safety and Standards
(Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Amendment Regulations, 2026,
seek to rationalise regulatory requirements for food business operators by
adopting a more risk-based and outcome-oriented approach without compromising
food safety, quality assurance and product traceability.
One of the key reforms narrows the applicability of mandatory
record maintenance and stock rotation practices based on the principles of
First In First Out (FIFO) or First Expiry First Out (FEFO). While these
requirements were earlier applicable to all licensed food businesses, they will
now be mandatory only for food manufacturing businesses, where such controls
are critical to ensuring food safety, quality and traceability throughout the
production process.
Non-manufacturing food businesses, including retailers and similar
establishments, have been exempted from these requirements. The move is
expected to substantially reduce the compliance burden, particularly for small
and medium enterprises, while ensuring that regulatory oversight remains
focused on areas where food safety risks are highest.
The latest amendments form part of the Ministry's broader
regulatory reform agenda to improve the ease of doing business in the food
sector. In recent years, the Government has introduced several initiatives to
simplify compliance for food business operators, including the provision of
perpetual licences and registrations, revision of turnover thresholds, removal
of dual compliance requirements for street food vendors, and implementation of
a risk-based inspection system.
The reforms have been finalised after extensive consultations with States and Union Territories, along with stakeholders from across the food business ecosystem. They are also aligned with the recommendations of the High-Level Committee on Non-Financial Regulatory Reforms constituted by NITI Aayog, which advocated reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens while ensuring effective regulatory oversight.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reiterated its commitment to strengthening India's food safety framework through science-based regulations, continuous stakeholder engagement and regulatory simplification measures that support both consumer protection and business growth.
