The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has introduced reforms aimed at simplifying regulatory procedures for street food vendors and food business operators across the country.
Under the new framework, street food vendors who are already registered with municipal corporations or town vending committees under the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014 will now be treated as “deemed registered” with FSSAI. This means they will not be required to obtain a separate registration from the food regulator.
Officials said the move is expected to benefit more than 10 lakh street vendors, as it removes the need for multiple registrations with different departments. The reform is intended to significantly reduce the compliance burden, allowing vendors to focus more on their livelihoods, hygiene practices and day-to-day business operations.
In another key reform, the food regulator has approved perpetual validity for FSSAI registrations and licences. The change will apply to food business operators of all sizes, eliminating the requirement for periodic renewals.
Currently, FSSAI licences and registrations must be renewed every one to five years, depending on the category of the business. Under the revised system, however, licences and registrations will remain valid indefinitely.
According to officials, the new framework will substantially cut down paperwork, reduce compliance costs and minimise repeated interactions with licensing authorities. The reforms are expected to improve ease of doing business for food operators while ensuring continuity of operations.
The new measures will come into effect from April 1.