The Core of the Clarification
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has moved to clear long-standing confusion over who is ultimately responsible for food safety within airport terminals. The primary directive states that all Food Business Operators (FBOs), from
the smallest kiosk to the largest restaurant chain operating within an airport's premises, must obtain a Central License from FSSAI. This move standardises the requirement, ensuring that every food vendor, regardless of its turnover, is held to the same high level of scrutiny appropriate for such a critical, high-traffic environment. The clarification aims to create a uniform regulatory framework, making it easier to monitor and enforce food safety standards across all airports in the country.
Untangling the Web of Responsibility
Previously, there was significant ambiguity. Responsibility was often blurred between the airport operator, the individual food vendors, and various licensing authorities. The FSSAI's guidance now specifies the roles more clearly. The licensing for any food establishment physically located within the airport terminal falls under the jurisdiction of Designated Officers, namely the Airport Health Officers (APHOs), where they have been notified. For airports where these specific officers have not been notified, the responsibility to issue the license falls to the Central Licensing Authority directly. This removes the grey area where vendors might have sought state licenses or basic registrations based on turnover, which are not sufficient for airport operations. Essentially, if you operate inside an airport, you answer to a central authority.
What It Means for Travellers
For the millions of passengers who travel through Indian airports daily, this change is significant. It promises a more consistent and reliable standard of food safety. With every vendor operating under a Central License, travellers can have greater confidence that the food they purchase has been prepared, handled, and stored according to stringent national standards. This centralised accountability means that in the event of a food safety issue, the lines of responsibility are clear, allowing for quicker investigation and resolution. FSSAI has also been pushing for greater transparency, such as requiring FBOs and airlines to display license numbers on receipts and packaging, and encouraging consumers to report grievances through its Food Safety Connect App.
The Impact on Food Vendors
Food businesses operating at airports must now ensure they are compliant with the Central License requirement. While this might mean a more rigorous application and inspection process, it also levels the playing field. The fee for this license is a standard ₹7,500 per year, plus GST. This applies to everyone, from a small juice counter to a large, multinational fast-food outlet. The requirement reinforces that airports are considered high-risk locations for food safety due to the sheer volume of people, including international travellers. This mandate is not just about paperwork; it's about embedding a culture of food safety that protects public health at some of the nation's busiest transit hubs.
A Broader Push for Food Safety
This clarification is part of a wider effort by FSSAI to strengthen and streamline food safety regulations across India. Recent initiatives have also focused on in-flight catering, where airlines and their kitchen partners must clearly label meals with details like the caterer's name and FSSAI license number. By defining who is accountable in complex environments like airports and airline services, the authority is closing regulatory gaps. The goal is to ensure that from the moment a traveller enters an airport to when they are served a meal at 30,000 feet, there is a clear and enforceable chain of responsibility for the safety of their food.
