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Book Free ConsultationFSSAI Annual Return Form D1 is a mandatory annual compliance filing required from licensed food business operators (FBOs) in India under the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations. Every food manufacturer, re-packers, relabeler, and food importer operating under an FSSAI State or Central License must submit Form D1 online through the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal by May 31st following the end of each financial year. Form D1 requires reporting accurate financial-year metrics including product category names, total manufactured or imported quantities in metric tons or liters, wholesale and retail selling prices, packaging formats, and country-of-origin details for imported food items. Failure to submit Form D1 by the May 31st deadline attracts an automatic late penalty of ₹100 per day of delay under Section 61, up to a maximum fine of ₹10 lakh and potential license suspension.
Who Must File Form D1 in 2026?
While compliance requirements can vary based on license type, Form D1 is generally mandatory for:
- Manufacturers: Including those in food processing, dairy, and packing.
- Importers: All FBOs holding an import license.
- Labelers & Relabelers: Units that modify or apply branding.
FSSAI has continuously emphasized that all FBOs should proactively verify their filing requirements on the FoSCoS portal to avoid unexpected compliance notices.
Last Date for Filing: May 31, 2026
The standard deadline for subitting the annual return for the preceding financial year (April 2025 to March 2026) is May 31st. Filing after this date triggers automatic penalties.
Penalty for Late Filing
Failure to file the annual return within the prescribed timeline may attract significant penalties. FSSAI may impose:
- Daily Penalties: A fine of ₹100 per day for every day of delay beyond May 31st.
- Compliance Notices: Formal notices from the authority regarding non-compliance.
- Regulatory Follow-up: Increased scrutiny during inspections or license renewals.
Note: It is highly recommended to avoid last-minute filing to prevent portal congestion and technical errors.
Step-by-Step Filing Guide
Filing is done exclusively online via the FoSCoS Portal. Follow these steps:
- Login to the FoSCoS portal using your FSSAI credentials.
- Navigate to the ‘Annual Return’ section in the dashboard.
- Select ‘Form D1’ and choose the correct Financial Year (2025-26).
- Fill in product details, quantity produced/imported, and sales value.
- Verify the data and submit. Save the acknowledgment receipt for future audits.
Conclusion
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