FSSAI Improvement Notice Received? How Should a Food Business Respond?

Last Updated on September 23, 2026

If a food business receives an FSSAI Improvement Notice, it should review the specific deficiencies identified by the food safety authority and take the required corrective actions within the specified period. The business should maintain supporting documents and submit a clear response demonstrating how the identified food safety and compliance issues have been addressed.

Food safety and regulation are important for the safety of the consumer as well as for providing good quality food items in India. Various activities are covered by the food industry, which includes manufacturing and processing, storing, transportation, distributing and retailing. Thus, proper safety practices need to be adhered to at all the stages in the food chain. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is responsible for framing food standards based on a scientific basis and regulating their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and imports so that safe and nutritious food is available to the consumers. Adherence to the food safety standards would enable the companies to practice proper hygiene, handling, packaging and labelling of the food items. Knowledge about the food-safety standards and obtaining registration/license could assist the Food Business Operators (FBOs) to comply with the regulations and conduct their business effectively.

What is FSSAI?

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a statutory body responsible for regulating and supervising food safety and standards in India. Established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, FSSAI aims to consolidate food safety laws and establish science-based standards for food products. Food businesses that are required to comply with these regulations must obtain FSSAI registration or a suitable FSSAI licence, depending on the nature and scale of their food business.

1. Food Safety Regulation – The FSSAI tries to make sure that the food available to consumers meets the requisite levels of safety and quality.
2. Licensing and Registration – FBOs are expected to obtain the necessary FSSAI license or registration depending on the nature of their business.
3. Food Standards – FSSAI creates standards for foods, food additives, contaminants, food ingredients, packaging, and labelling.
4. Inspection and Enforcement – Food safety authorities conduct inspections, sampling, and enforcement activities against FBOs that fail to comply with regulations.
5. Consumer Protection – The regulatory framework is designed to mitigate food safety issues.
6. Education and Training – FSSAI also conducts educational activities to make FBOs and consumers aware of food safety and hygiene regulations.

What is an FSSAI Improvement Notice?

Improvement Notice under FSSAI is a formal notice issued by a food safety regulatory authority to a Food Business Operator (FBO) due to a violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 or any relevant regulation.

1. Objectives – An Improvement Notice highlights the defects and ensures that the FBO takes remedial measures within the stipulated period of time.
2. Causes of Issue – This notice may be given due to the inspection or review carried out and the findings regarding hygiene, sanitation, food handling, food storage, pest control, equipment, documentation or licence conditions.
3. Information about Defects – Generally, such a notice contains information regarding the violations and the remedial actions to be taken by the FBO.
4. Compliance Period – As per Section 32 of the Act, the notice should contain a compliance period of not less than 14 days.
5. Compliance Report – The FBO has to provide an appropriate compliance report reflecting the remedial actions taken by him/her and the necessary proof in this respect.
6. Consequences of Non-Compliance – The consequences of non-compliance would be suspension or cancellation of the FSSAI licence in accordance with the relevant procedure.

An Improvement Notice gives an opportunity to the FBO to take remedial action for the defect identified. An Improvement Notice is distinct from a Prohibition Order under Section 33, which the authority can issue for more serious or immediate risks, unfit premises or an imminent health hazard and which can require closure without the 14-day compliance window an Improvement Notice provides. Understanding which notice you’ve received matters, since the response timeline and consequences differ significantly.

When is an FSSAI Improvement Notice Issued?

In the case where the Food Business Operator (FBO) is in violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, an FSSAI Improvement Notice can be issued. This notice usually gives the Food Business Operator a given period to sort out the problem.

1. During Food Safety Inspection – When an authorised Food Safety Officer identifies non-compliance in an inspection of the premises, he or she may issue an Improvement Notice if there are certain statutory preconditions for the notice.
2. Unhygienic or Unsatisfactory Sanitation – Problems with hygiene and sanitation may trigger the issuance of an Improvement Notice.
3. Licensing Requirements Violation – An FBO may be issued with an Improvement Notice due to non-compliance with the requirements relating to the FSSAI license.
4. Food Safety Management Issues – An FBO may receive a notice when the food safety management procedures of the operator do not meet the required standards.
5. Unsafe or Non-Compliant methods – Issues such as incorrect storage temperatures, inadequate food handling methods, contamination hazards, or the use of inappropriate equipment may necessitate corrective action.
6. Deficiencies Identified Through Sample – If an inspection or sample reveals a regulatory deficiency, the authority may take appropriate action based on the nature and severity of the discovery.
7. Consumer Complaints or Other Information – Food safety authorities may conduct an inspection or investigation based on complaints or information obtained. If noncompliance is established, relevant regulatory measures may be implemented.
8. Failure to Correct Prior Deficiencies – Repeated or ongoing noncompliance can result in additional regulatory action. An Improvement Notice may indicate the deficiencies that must be remedied.
9. Notice Specifies Corrective Measures – The notice normally states the violations and improvements necessary, as well as a timetable for compliance.
10. Failure to Comply Has Consequences – If an FBO fails to comply with an Improvement Notice, the licensing authority may take additional action, including suspension or cancellation of the FSSAI licence, in accordance with applicable legal procedures.

An Improvement Notice should therefore be taken seriously, and the FBO should rectify each noted deficiency within the timeframe provided.

How to Respond to an FSSAI Improvement Notice?

An improvement notice from the FSSAI must be dealt with immediately as it points out the deficiencies that need to be corrected by the Food Business Operator (FBO). The FSSAI says that the compliance report needs to be provided within 14 days.

1. Check the notice on FoSCoS – Improvement notices and compliance report submissions are managed through the FoSCoS (Food Safety Compliance System) portal. Log in to confirm the notice details, the exact deadline, and the correct format for submitting your compliance report.
2. Read the Notice Cautiously – Pay attention to all observations, defects, and the action required to be done by the Designated Officer.
3. Identify Non-Compliances – Prepare a list of all non-compliances observed with regard to hygiene, sanitation, food processing, record-keeping, and licenses. If you’re unsure whether your corrective measures fully address the categories the Designated Officer will re-check, our FSSAI audit checklist covers the same hygiene, sanitation, pest control, and equipment standards in detail.
4. Action Plan – Rectify the deficiencies mentioned in the notice. It could involve better sanitation, pest control, storage, food processing practices, equipment maintenance, and record-keeping.
5. Gather Evidence – Keep images, invoices, cleaning documents, pest control documents, test documents, purchase records, training records, etc.
6. Prepare a Compliance Report – Write a clear answer that addresses each observation separately. Mention the action performed, the date of correction, and any supporting proof that is applicable. Structure the report observation-by-observation, mirroring the numbering used in the notice itself for each flagged item; state: (1) the corrective action taken, (2) the date it was completed, (3) the supporting evidence attached (photo, invoice, test report), and (4) if not yet complete, a realistic date for resolution. Responding point-by-point in the same order as the notice makes it far easier for the Designated Officer to verify compliance quickly.
7. Explain Any Pending Action – Rather than leaving the observation unanswered, explain why a specific repair cannot be done immediately and provide an estimated completion time.
8. Submit Within the Time Limit – Submit the compliance report within the timeframe provided in the Improvement Notice. According to FSSAI guidance, a minimum of 14 days is required to submit the compliance report.
9. Maintain Proof of Submission – Keep the submitted response, acknowledgement, supporting papers, and correspondence with the authorities for future reference.
10. Prepare for Follow-Up Inspection – The authority may perform a follow-up inspection to ensure that the noted defects have been addressed. For a closer look at the appeal process itself, including how to draft the appeal and what the Commissioner of Food Safety will expect, see our guide on what to do if your FSSAI application gets rejected, which covers the same appeal route in more depth.
11. Consider an Appeal Where Appropriate – If the FBO is dissatisfied with the decision regarding an Improvement Notice, they may file an appeal with the Commissioner of Food Safety. FSSAI indicates that the appeal period is 15 days from the date the decision was served, or the period specified in the improvement notice itself, whichever expires earlier.

If the Commissioner’s decision is also unfavourable, it can be further challenged before the Food Safety Appellate Tribunal or the High Court of the relevant state, depending on jurisdiction.

Failure to comply may result in further action, including suspension and maybe cancellation of the licence, subject to the applicable procedure.

Consequences of Non-Compliance with FSSAI Improvement Notice

Failure to comply with an FSSAI Improvement Notice may result in regulatory action under Section 32 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The repercussions include:

1. Suspension of FSSAI Licence – If the FBO fails to comply with the improvement notice within the prescribed time frame, the Designated Officer may suspend the FSSAI licence.
2. Licence Cancellation – If non-compliance continues, the Designated Officer may cancel the FSSAI licence after providing the licensee with an opportunity to show cause. Following cancellation, the FBO cannot reapply; a 3-month waiting period from the date of cancellation generally applies before a fresh licence or registration application can be submitted, and any deficiencies noted in the original improvement notice must be fully resolved before reapplying. The business must also cease operations immediately upon cancellation, with no compensation for the loss of the licence.
3. Immediate Suspension for Public Health – If necessary in the interest of public health, the licence may be suspended immediately, with reasons documented in writing.
4. Separate Monetary Penalties – There is no single fixed penalty amount specified just for failure to comply with an Improvement Notice. However, depending on the nature of the underlying food-safety infraction, sanctions under Sections 50-67 may apply. Selling substandard or misbranded food can result in penalties of up to ₹5 lakh and ₹3 lakh, respectively. These monetary penalties are decided by an Adjudicating Officer appointed under the Act, following a separate show-cause process distinct from the Designated Officer’s power to suspend or cancel the licence itself under Section 32.
5. Further Enforcement Action – Depending on the underlying violation, the Act may require additional processes, sanctions, or prosecution.

As a result, an Improvement Notice must be answered within the time frame allowed by Section 32, which is typically 14 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a FSSAI Improvement Notice?

FSSAI Improvement Notice is a notice issued when it is established that the Food Business Operator has violated any food safety regulations. It outlines the areas where there have been problems, what needs to be improved and how. The FBO needs to consider the notice carefully and make all necessary changes within the period indicated by the authorities.

2. Why is a FSSAI Improvement Notice Issued?

There may be many reasons for issuing the FSSAI Improvement Notice. Some of the most common challenges can be associated with hygiene, sanitation, handling, storing, pest control, equipment, documentation and the licensing process. The notice gives an FBO an opportunity to improve the detected non-compliance with regulations.

3. How should an FBO reply to an improvement notice?

The FBO needs to develop a detailed compliance report in which he or she will describe what was done to solve the problems indicated in the notice. It will have to show all steps taken to correct the non-compliance. This report should contain all relevant pictures, documents, test results and invoices.

4. What happens if the FBO fails to reply appropriately?

The failure to respond appropriately can subject the FBO to additional legal measures. Clause 32 of the Food Safety and Standards Act permits the Designated Officer to suspend the license of the operator and, following due process, revoke the same if the non-compliance persists.

5. Is an appeal possible in relation to an Improvement Notice issued by an FBO?

Yes. An FBO can lodge an appeal against an Improvement Notice before the Commissioner of Food Safety through the appropriate process. The FBO needs to study the notice issued, take into consideration the statutory period for appeal and present relevant grounds and evidence. The appeal period is 15 days from the date the decision was served, or the period specified in the improvement notice itself, whichever expires earlier.

6. Is an Improvement Notice the same as having my licence suspended?

No. An Improvement Notice is a corrective opportunity; the FBO’s licence remains active while the notice period runs. Suspension or cancellation only follows if the FBO fails to comply within the given timeframe. A more serious tool, a Prohibition Order under Section 33, can require immediate closure for severe risks, without this compliance window.

Conclusion

Getting the Improvement Notice from the FSSAI calls for the Food Business Operator to understand the issue at hand and act in accordance with the same. An answer that is clear and detailed and supported by documents will satisfy the requirement, and at the same time, will also meet the concerns of the concerned authority. It would be in the best interest of the business to follow the time frame laid out and document their submissions. If the submission process proves to be complicated, professional help may be sought.

Get Started With Kanakkupillai

It may not always be easy to manage all FSSAI registrations, licensing, renewal and compliance with safety standards while at the same time managing your business activities. KANAKKUPILLAI can assist you in getting the relevant FSSAI documents and application services in an organised manner. If you are setting up a new business or need help with compliance with existing issues, then professional help can come in handy for you.