The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has envisaged audits of Food Business Operators through Private Auditing Agencies to strengthen the food safety surveillance system. To cultivate and foster the self-compliance culture, FSSAI is enabling compliance through private recognized Auditing Agencies. Food Safety and Standards (Food Safety Auditing) Regulations, 2018 was notified on 28 August 2018 that mandates annual third-party food safety audits of food businesses falling under six high-risk categories by an FSSAI recognized agency.

However, even after repeated intimation and improvement notices issued twice, the following FBOs belonging to the Kerala region have not conducted any third-party food safety audits.

Non-compliance of mandatory audits by the above FBOs in high-risk food business operations has been viewed seriously, and their FSSAI license has been suspended with effect from 13.09.2021 fore-noon by Central Designated Officer, Kerala & Lakshadweep in accordance with section 32 (2) of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 rules and regulations made thereunder.