Expert FSSAI Return Filing — Managed Accurately, Filed on Time
Every FSSAI-licensed food business in India is legally required to file annual and half-yearly returns — and missing the May 31 deadline triggers a penalty of approx ₹100 per day that compounds until the return is submitted. We manage your Form D1 and Form D2 filings end-to-end — from data compilation to FoSCoS submission.
Form D1 — Annual Return
Product-wise data on quantities manufactured, imported, exported, and handled — filed for every FSSAI license held.
Form D2 — Dairy Half-Yearly
Mandatory for dairy processors and milk importers — filed twice a year covering procurement, fat/SNF details, and product transformation.
Nil Return — Still Required
Even if your facility had no production last year, a nil return must be submitted on FoSCoS before the May 31 deadline to avoid penalties.
What Is FSSAI Return Filing and Is It Mandatory for Your Business?
FSSAI return filing is the mandatory annual and half-yearly compliance obligation under Section 2.1.13 of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.
Every FSSAI-licensed food business operator (FBO) engaged in manufacturing, importing, packing, labelling, re-packing, or re-labelling of food products must file Form D1 on the FoSCoS portal on or before May 31 each year. Form D1 captures product-wise data — quantities manufactured, imported, exported, handled, and sold during the preceding financial year — and must be filed separately for each FSSAI license held by the business.
A second return, Form D2, applies specifically to businesses engaged in the manufacturing or importing of milk and milk products. Form D2 is a half-yearly return filed for two periods: April to September (due by October 31) and October to March (due by April 30). Dairy processors and milk importers across India are required to comply with both Form D1 and Form D2 obligations concurrently.
What makes this obligation particularly consequential is that once Form D1 is submitted on the FoSCoS portal, it cannot be revised. Errors in product quantities, license details, or import/export data become part of the permanent record — and any discrepancy between the return and the existing FSSAI license triggers queries from the licensing authority.
Which Food Businesses Must File FSSAI Returns in India?
FSSAI return filing is mandatory for every FBO holding a State FSSAI License (annual turnover between ₹1.5 crore and ₹50 crore, per the revised thresholds effective 1 April 2026) or a Central FSSAI License (annual turnover above ₹50 crore), whose operations fall within the categories of manufacturing, importing, packing, labelling, re-labelling, or re-packing of food products.
- Food manufacturers
- Food importers
- Packaged food brands
- Spice & condiment processors
- Dairy processors
- Milk importers
- Cheese & paneer makers
- UHT milk producers
Food manufacturers — from large-scale processing units in Gujarat's GIDC industrial clusters to mid-size packaged food brands — must file Form D1 regardless of production volume in the preceding year; even if a unit had zero production, the return is still legally required.
Businesses specifically exempt from annual return filing include restaurants, fast food joints, grocery stores, canteens, and petty food business operators who hold only an FSSAI Basic Registration (now applicable up to ₹1.5 crore turnover under the revised 2026 thresholds). If your business holds a State or Central FSSAI License, return filing is non-negotiable regardless of production volume.
What Are the Penalties for Missing Your FSSAI Return Deadline?
Under Section 2.1.13(3) of the FSS (Licensing and Registration) Regulations, 2011, late filing attracts:
₹100/day
Compounding daily from the day after the due date — capped at 5× the annual license fee
License Deemed Suspended
Under the FSS (Licensing and Registration) Amendment Regulations, 2026, non-filing of returns triggers deemed suspension of the FSSAI license. During suspension, all business operations must cease immediately.
Cannot Renew Without Clearing
An FBO with outstanding returns cannot renew its existing FSSAI license or apply for a new one until all penalties are cleared — turning a simple delay into a business-critical risk.
These are entirely preventable outcomes. We've helped 4500+ businesses across Gujarat and India stay protected — without disruption.
How We Handle Your FSSAI Return Filing — Step by Step
End-to-end. No confusion, no surprises.
Compliance Assessment
We begin by reviewing your current FSSAI license status, license category (State or Central), the number of licenses held, and whether your business operations require Form D1 only or both Form D1 and Form D2. We cross-check your license details against your production and import records to identify any discrepancies that would need resolution before filing — because a return that doesn't match your license triggers an automatic query from the licensing authority.
Data Compilation and Verification
We work with you to compile the complete product-wise data required for your return: quantities of food products manufactured, handled, imported, and exported during the financial year; import and export details including port name, quantity in kilograms, and CIF/FOB rates; and for dairy businesses, procurement details including fat content, SNF details, and milk product transformation data. Every figure is cross-referenced against your invoices, inventory logs, and production records before we proceed to filing.
FoSCoS Portal Submission
We log into the FoSCoS portal using your registered credentials, select the applicable financial year and return type, populate Form D1 (and Form D2 where applicable) with verified data, and review the complete form before final submission. Given that FoSCoS returns cannot be revised after submission, our pre-submission check is not a formality — it is the single most critical step in the process.
Acknowledgement and Documentation
Once submitted, we download the official acknowledgement from the FoSCoS portal and share it with you immediately. We also maintain a documented compliance record — including the filing date, license number, financial year, and return type — which becomes part of your compliance file for future audits, renewal applications, and export due diligence.
Ongoing Compliance Tracking
COMPLETEReturn filing is a recurring annual obligation — and for dairy businesses, a twice-yearly one. We track all upcoming filing deadlines against your license portfolio and initiate the data collection process well before the due date. Many businesses we work with continue with an Annual Compliance Retainer to ensure their returns, license renewals, and other FSSAI obligations are tracked and managed throughout the year.
Common Documents Required for FSSAI Return Filing
The exact documents required depend on your business type, size, license category, and operational structure. Below are documents commonly required for most businesses.
Current FSSAI License Copy
Your FSSAI license with the 14-digit license number and FoSCoS portal login credentials.
Product-Wise Quantity Statement
Quantities of all food products manufactured, imported, handled, or exported during the financial year.
Production & Inventory Records
Production logs, inventory records, purchase invoices, and sales invoices for data cross-referencing.
Import Records (If Applicable)
Country of origin, port of entry, quantity in kilograms, and CIF/FOB rate per unit for importers.
Per-License Records (Multiple Units)
If you operate multiple licensed facilities, a separate record set is required for each FSSAI license.
Dairy Procurement Records (Form D2)
Type of milk received, total quantity in metric tonnes, fat and SNF content per half-yearly period.
Every business has a different document requirement.
Your exact checklist is confirmed during the first assessment call — no guesswork.
Frequently Asked Questions About FSSAI Return Filing
8 questions our clients ask the most — answered precisely.
Clients Who Get FSSAI Return Filing Also Need
Most businesses filing returns have at least one of these parallel obligations.
FSSAI License New Application
Every return filing obligation begins with a valid FSSAI license — the wrong category can mean a complete re-application process that delays your operations by six weeks or more.
FSSAI GAP Analysis
A GAP analysis maps every outstanding FSSAI obligation against your current compliance status, so missed returns and documentation gaps are identified and corrected before a regulatory inspection.
Annual Compliance Retainer
Our Annual Compliance Retainer covers FSSAI return filing, renewal tracking, and ongoing compliance management — so no deadline is missed and no obligation falls through the gaps year-round.
Ready to Get Your FSSAI Return Filing Handled the Right Way?
With 4500+ food businesses served across Gujarat and India, we understand the exact compliance picture for manufacturers, importers, packaged food brands, and dairy processors of every size. The May 31 annual return deadline and the recurring half-yearly obligations for dairy businesses don't move — and the ₹100 per day penalty for missing them begins immediately.
The sooner you have a verified, accurately filed return on record, the sooner your compliance file is clean. Reach out today and our senior consultant will respond personally.
Senior consultant responds personally · Mon–Sun, 10 AM – 10 PM · 1111, 11th Floor, Ratnakar Nine Square, Vastrapur, Ahmedabad – 380015
Divya Consultancy is a private business providing professional consultancy services. We are not affiliated with the FSSAI, the Government of India, or any government authority. We charge professional fees in addition to any applicable government fees.