The Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) is one of the most ambitious initiatives by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in terms of streamlining and enhancing food safety regulations across India. 

What is FoSCoS?

An integrated digital platform designed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is called FoSCoS. This makes the licensing and registration process of the food business more streamlined. Launched on 1st June 2020, FoSCoS replaced the old FLRS, Food Licensing, and Registration System, to increase efficiency as well as compliance with the regulations of food safety. It will help all the FBOs control all kinds of regulatory functionalities such as licensing, registrations, and annual returns to pass through a single window. 

Digitization is beneficial because it reduces paperwork burdens through FoSCoS, but enhances transparency in food safety compliance. In real-time, it tracks the percent compliance with food safety across the country and makes certain that the product will stand by the acceptable levels of safety and quality at the points of supply before reaching finally the consumer's end.

--------------Blog Contact Form-------------

Key Features of FoSCoS

• Better Processing Rate: FoSCoS is designed to have a faster processing rate and, consequently, can accommodate much greater user traffic with minimal downtime and thus increase the overall user experience.
• System Architecture Scalability: System architecture can withstand future updating and newer implementations of modules based on the changed regulatory demands and technological changes.
• Single Window for Food Safety Compliance Portal: The portal acts as the gateway of other FSSAI applications, bringing along multiple food safety regulatory services onto a single window 
• Standardised Product Licensing: With this new licensing process the manufacturer would be able to choose a standardized product against its identification number from predefined lists rather than enter into detail.
• User-Friendly Interface: The redesigned homepage will now have a user-friendly structure with an intelligent search of license eligibility criteria and standardized products, thereby improving the usability of FBOs.
• Online Annual Returns Filing: FoSCoS will have a module for online filing of annual returns whereby submission through manual methods can be avoided and inefficiency would be reduced.
• Integration with FoSCoRIS inspection reports: Inspection reports submitted through the FoSCoRIS can now be retrieved from within FoSCoS for easier operations and stronger monitoring.
• Elimination of document requirement from FBOs: All the 29 documents FBOs were earlier mandated to upload are replaced in FoSCoS with merely KoB-specific documents for submission. Online declarations would also not require signed documents.
• Clear Separation of Business Types: FoSCoS classifies different types of businesses under manufacturing, such as Nutraceuticals and Novel Foods, thereby helping maintain compliance.
• Deep Profiling: The online application form captures PAN numbers, CIN, or GST numbers for future validation and 360-degree profiling of FBOs; hence, the regulatory mechanism would be more effective.
• Simplification of Dashboards and Menus: Menus and dashboards at the levels of licensing and registering authorities have been rationalized on different stages of application, so it has simplified the navigation process as well as tracking the pending applications.

Read Our Blog: FoSCoS - Food License Registration Online on Portal (fssai.gov.in)

FoSCoS FSSAI: Objectives and Benefits

The primary objectives of FoSCoS are

• Improvement of Food Safety: FoSCoS aims at upgrading food safety in India through the provision of a centralized platform where food businesses can manage their compliance regarding meeting the safety and quality requirements for their food products.
• Streamlining of Procedures: The system computerizes and automates the procedures of registration, licensing, and approval and reduces the usage of paperwork and human errors and hence improves efficiency in the management of compliance.
• Transparency and Accountability: FoSCoS increases transparency by allowing stakeholders to access information on the compliance status of food safety in real-time, hence increasing accountability in the food supply chain.
• Efficient Inspection, Audit, and Compliance Checking: The system allows for effective inspections, audits, and compliance checking, thereby enabling food authorities to monitor and verify the compliance status.
• Quick Response towards Emergencies: These systems are designed to evoke quick responses during emergencies created by food safety hazards which ensure that timely action against public health is taken promptly.
• Training and Capacity Building: Training programs are provided to FBOs to understand better norms of food safety and best practices, which will motivate a culture of compliance within the industry.

FoSCoS Registration Process

Registration on FoSCoS is very easy. All types of food business are covered there. Here's how the FBOs can do it:

Steps for registration on FoSCoS

Step 1: Sign into the Portal

Open the official website on FoSCoS.

Step 2: Create an Account

• Click on Signup
• Enter details like name, email ID, mobile number, login ID, and password
• Click submit on the registration form

Step 3: Verification:

The code will be received on the registered email address and mobile number. Once you have the code, enter it into the portal to activate the account. 

Step 4: Login once you get verified, use your login credentials to log in to your dashboard to apply for licenses or registration. 

Step 5: Application Submission In case you need to register or get a license according to your business type, follow the steps to finish your application process.

Read Our Blog: Food Safety And Compliance System (FoSCoS)

FoSCoS Renewal Process

Renew your food safety licenses on FoSCoS. It is said to be easier than renewing through former procedures.

How to Renew on FoSCoS

• Access Your Current Account: Login with the details you have had for account access.
• Locate Renewal Section: Login to locate the license renewal section. You will be able to see there all the active licenses
• Fill Renewal Form: All the papers that are required must be duly filled from the updated documents about how your business operates.
• Attach Required Documents: In case you have any documents required for renewal, attach them as the system instructs.
• Submit Application: After reviewing all entered information, submit the renewal application.
• Track Status: You can view your renewal status directly on your dashboard.

Read Our Blog: FoSCoS FSSAI License - Online Registration Process in India

Future of FoSCoS FSSAI

• Integration with other government systems: GST, PAN, and MCA will help streamline various processes and enhance business profiling.
• Single-window compliance platform: This aims to transform FoSCoS from a licensing portal into a full-fledged compliance portal where all food safety functions can be accessed through a single window.
• Better user experience: Upgrades in the future would be focused on user interface and navigation, thereby becoming more intuitive for the food business operators (FBOs).
• Standardized product approach: FoSCoS will continue to advocate a standardized product selection process that enables easy application for licenses and registrations.
• In-time access to data: The system will allow time-to-time access to reports of inspections and compliance data, increasing transparency and accountability.
• Scalability and enhancements: FoSCoS will be designed on a solid architecture that can be strengthened in the future and further functionalities can be added with time, as and when required.
• Training and Certification: It will integrate with training platforms like FoSTaC so that the FBOs are updated concerning the compliance requirements.

Read Our Blog: Understanding FoSCoS FSSAI: Regulations, Objectives, Services, and Procedures

Conclusion

The FoSCoS represents a giant leap in India's progress toward the simplification and enhancement of food safety regulation. In one single, user-friendly platform, FoSCoS captures many functionalities by streamlining licensing, registration, and compliance processes for food business operators for faster processing, scalable architecture, and proper profiling. With time, FoSCoS will surely make a great impact on the food safety standards of the country and its consumers by promoting a culture of compliance in the food industry.