What to Do If Your FSSAI Application Gets Rejected?

Ensuring food products in India are safe, of good quality, and hygienic, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the regulatory body.

Every food business operator (FBO) should register with FSSAI or obtain a license, depending on the scope and character of activities.

Apply for an FSSAI license using the FoSCoS portal, where firms must offer complete data and supporting papers, including Product information, company registration, identification verification, and details about the site. By confirming that the food offered satisfies fundamental safety standards, the license not only guarantees legal adherence but also helps to boost consumer confidence.

The FSSAI application procedure is structured with high standards, verification procedures, and inspections, so only compliant companies get the license because food safety directly affects public health.

Reasons For FSSAI Application Rejection

FSSAI applications frequently get rejected because of document issues, discrepancies in business information, inappropriate choice of category, non-compliance during inspections, or failure to respond to questions. These delays can be prevented by careful planning and extensive cross-verifications before submission.

• Inadequate or Incorrect Documents: The main reason for rejection is the lack of required documents like PAN, Aadhaar, GST, rent agreement, or NOC from the property owner. Postage of old or unsigned certificates (e.g., CA turnover certificate, partnership deed) results in rejection. Low-quality or poor-quality illegible scans delay verification by officers, resulting in non-acceptance.
• Business Information Mismatch: Inconsistencies occur due to a mismatch between the business names on the application and supporting documents (PAN, GST, and incorporation certificate). Address or PIN code details are incorrect, or there are discrepancies between the trade license and the electricity bill, which can result in rejection.
• Wrong License Category or Turnover Declaration: Seeking basic registration over a state/central license in the face of greater turnover or interstate business operations leads to rejection. Misdeclarations of turnover without a proper CA certificate are suspect.
• Non-Payment or Payment Failures: The application is rejected automatically if the fee is not received or does not reflect in the FoSCoS portal within the stipulated time.
• Failure to Respond to Queries: If the Designated Officer (DO) sends questions and the applicant does not reply within 30 days, the system will automatically reject the application.
• Non-Compliance with Site Inspection: If facilities are not found to be sanitary, do not have necessary equipment, pest control, or do not meet FSSAI requirements, the DO can reject the request for license.
• Wrong Category of Food Business: Making an application under the wrong type of food business operator (FBO), e.g., trader rather than a manufacturer, is misleading the authority and leads to rejection.
• Legal or Regulatory Non-Conformity: Applications for foods not specified, products lacking necessary approvals, or deceptive product labels/claims will most likely be rejected. If the business comes under excluded activities under the Food Safety and Standards Act, rejection is inevitable.
• Technical Errors in Application: Incorrect uploads of files, being larger than allowed, or missing form fields on FoSCoS typically lead to auto-rejection.

What To Do If FSSAI Application Gets Rejected?

1. Urgent action (initial 48 hours)

1. Obtain your rejection/communication and ARN/Application ID from FoSCoS (or FLRS, if appropriate). The site shows the reason for rejection and any questions.
2. Keep all relevant documents, including screenshots, PDFs, emails, payment receipts, uploaded files, and refusal letters, to be used for reactivation or appeal. (Official routes usually need ARN and corroborative evidence.)
3. Identify the grounds for rejection and classify them as one of three:

• Rejected because information was missing or they did not reply to a question.
• Rejected after technical review/inspection (grounds recorded by the Designated Officer or Commissioner).
• Rejected on regulatory grounds (e.g., prohibited product claims/approval – other appeal procedure).

2. For auto-rejected applications

For such applications, FoSCoS now allows self-reactivation. In most situations, you can self-reactivate after 30 days of auto-rejection without interference from the government (you will need to provide a valid reason for the delay).

Self-reactivation is normally allowed between 31-60 days, but at a small charge (e.g. 50 for registration and 500 + GST for a license — check the portal for the actual current costs). After a longer period, the application should be made to the State Commissioner/Regional office/CEO, as the case may be.

What To Do? (Auto-Rejection):

1. Use the “Request for Reinstatement / Reactivate” facility on FoSCoS to upload a brief explanation and lacking documents. (Follow the instructions of the portal.)
2. If within 30 days, self-reactivate and immediately correct the form.
3. If 31-60 days, a fee and an online reactivation request.
4. If the portal refers the request to a DO/Commissioner (e.g., for revival of license), follow up with the DO/Commissioner (contact details on the FSSAI website).

3. Where there is a refusal by a DO/Commissioner (not automatic)

The Licensing Authority shall give the applicant an opportunity to make representations before refusing a license; the grounds for refusal will be set out in writing. If your application is rejected by an officer, you must reply in writing and, depending on the grounds, either ask for reconsideration, furnish the documents in question, or make a formal request/appeal as per the SOP.

To answer a rejection by an officer, follow these steps:

1. Ask for a written full explanation (if it is not already attached). The compendium/Schedule requires reasons to be noted. Keep this document.
2. In case of missing or incorrect documents, send the corrected files through the FoSCoS “request against rejection” channel or make a new application as advised.
3. If the rejection is based on non-compliance, address the issues (structure, sanitation, records/process), prepare a report of compliance with photographs/test results, upload it to FoSCoS, and seek a re-inspection. The DO usually allows a compliance period and a re-inspection.
4. If the authority refuses to issue a license, proceed with portal routing (State Commissioner/Commissioner’s office) or appeal as specified in the rules (see the following section on appeals).

4. Appeals and higher review—when to use them

There are various appeal routes depending on the type of rejection:

1. If you are issued an improvement notice, suspension, or cancellation, you can appeal to the State Commissioner of Food Safety (usually within 15 days or as stated).
2. Petition to the Appellate Authority / CEO FSSAI for rejections of product claims and general food approvals (time frames, i.e., typically 30 days from rejection, see the specific order).
3. Central license decisions can be sent to the FSSAI HQ / CEO for review as per the FoSCoS SOP.

How to appeal/request a review?

1. Go through the rejection letter for the appeal time limit and the appellate authority. Strictly follow that timeline.
2. Write a brief appeal: facts, include ARN, attached documents with corrections, compliance proof, and events sequence.
3. If the portal is permitted, submit through FoSCoS or through the official email/office mentioned.

5. Recommended workflow (schedule)

• Day 0-2: Download the rejection letter, classify it, copy it, and start document amendments.
• Between days 2-7, scrutinise the documents and obtain the necessary signatures, CA/engineer reports, and NOCs. In case of auto-rejection of the application, seek self-reactivation within 30 days.
• Between Day 7-30, post the amended documents through the portal and follow up with the DO or State Commissioner if necessary. Make the ARN/communication portal available at hand. If inspection has been refused, get a re-inspection done once the defect has been removed.

6. Who to approach (in case of glitches in the portal process)

Find the local designated officer or commissioner for food safety (listed in the state directory on the FSSAI website). Contact the FoSCoS/FSSAI helpdesk at helpdesk-foscos@fssai.gov.in or use the toll-free/regional numbers listed on their contact page.

7. When to get professional help?

Hire a food safety expert, a lawyer who handles FSSAI cases, or a wise consultant to make compliance dossiers and defend you in appeals in case of rejection due to technical or regulatory reasons, like failure to comply with the product standards, complex claims, or repeated failure in inspections.

8. Preventive checklist for the next submission (to avoid rejection)

• Names, spellings, and PAN/GST numbers should be exactly alike.
• File high-quality PDFs/JPEGs with proof of ownership/NOC.
• Choose the right activity and turnover classes.
• Keep originals for verification.
• Preserve ARNs and screenshots of all gateway screens.
• Obtain pre-approval and lab reports for non-specified goods or products with special claims.

Conclusion

Rejections of FSSAI applications typically result from preventable errors like lost documents, inaccurate data, incorrect choice of licence category, or non-compliance during inspections. While it is disappointing to receive a rejection, it is not the end of the process. The Food Safety and Standards Authority offers different routes for reactivating and re-notifying applications, particularly through the FoSCoS portal, where errors are corrected, newer documents are uploaded, and requests for review are made.

Auto-rejections can be re-notified within specified time periods, while officer-initiated rejections may be addressed by filing compliance reports, making corrections, or appealing before the relevant authority. The key step is to carefully study the cause of rejection, keep proper records, and confirm that all the requirements are met before resubmission. By a systematic approach to the process, food business operators can actually revive their application and obtain an FSSAI licence, which not only assures compliance but also boosts consumer confidence in their brand.