Advisory on Endorsement of KoBs and Labelling Requirements for In-Flight Catering Services
In a recent advisory issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), concerns regarding the appropriate endorsement of Kind of Businesses (KoBs) by Flight Kitchens and in-flight catering services have been addressed. Additionally, guidelines regarding labelling requirements for prepared food served in flights, trains, and other moving vehicles have been outlined.
Key Observations: During a surveillance drive conducted by the FSSAI, discrepancies were noted in the endorsement of KoBs in FSSAI licenses by Food Business Operators involved in providing food to in-flight passengers. Specifically, it was observed that food prepared by Flight Kitchen Operators was being transferred to flights via specialized vehicles and served to passengers by airline staff.
Guidelines for Flight Kitchen Operators:
- Flight Kitchen Operators are instructed to endorse “Food Services [Caterer]” as the Kind of Business in their FSSAI License.
- If Flight Kitchen Operators use their own vehicles for transporting food to flights, separate endorsement for “Transporter” is not required. However, if third-party transporters are utilized, they must obtain a separate FSSAI license for their office address.
Guidelines for Airlines (In-flight Food Services):
- Airlines are required to obtain a single Head Office FSSAI License, with endorsement for “Food Services [Caterer].” Separate licenses in different states are not necessary.
- If Airlines engage in selling pre-packaged food, endorsement for “Trade/Retail [Retailer]” must be included in the Head Office license.
- Airlines manufacturing or importing pre-packaged food under their brand name must obtain appropriate manufacturing or importer licenses.
- Separate FSSAI licenses are required if Airlines conduct food-related activities at locations other than in-flight premises.
Labelling Requirements:
- Compliance with the FSS Act, 2006, and the FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, is mandatory.
- FSSAI License/Registration numbers must be declared on cash receipts, invoices, bills, etc., as per FSSAI order dated 08.06.2021.
- Basic details such as the name of the caterer, FSSAI License number, date and time of packaging, and use by date and time must be included on packaging, along with other relevant information specified in the FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020.
Awareness Initiatives:
- Passengers should be informed about the FSSAI Food Safety Connect App for lodging food-related grievances.
Conclusion: The advisory aims to ensure compliance with FSSAI regulations and enhance food safety standards in in-flight catering services. By providing clear guidelines on KoB endorsement and labelling requirements, the FSSAI seeks to improve transparency and accountability across the food supply chain for air travelers.
For further details and clarification, concerned parties are advised to refer to the annexed regulatory requirements and contact the respective authorities.
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RCD-15001/11/2023-Regulatory–FSSAI
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
(A Statutory Authority established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006)
(Regulatory Compliance Division)
FDA Bhawan, Kotla Road, New Delhi -110002
Dated: 7th March 2024
ADVISORY
Subject: Appropriate Endorsement of KoBs by Flight Kitchens and in-flight catering services, and Labelling requirements for prepared food being served in flights/trains and other moving vehicles –reg.
During the recent surveillance drive conducted by FSSAI to inspect the food supply chain for providing food to in-flight passengers, discrepancies have been observed in the Kind of Businesses (KoBs) endorsed in the FSSAI Licence by the involved Food Business Operators. It has been observed that food is being prepared by Flight Kitchen Operators [i.e. Caterers located in and around the vicinity of the airports] and then transferred through specialized vehicles like insulated refrigerated vans/wagons to the flights. In the flights, food is then served to passengers of that particular flight through the staff of the Airlines [i.e In-flight Food Services]. The served food can be both prepared and pre-packaged.
2. In view of the above, the following is clarified –
For Flight Kitchen Operators –
a) Flight Kitchen Operators shall endorse Food Services [Caterer] Kind of Business in their FSSAI License.
b) In case, Flight Kitchen Operators have their own vehicles for transporting food to the flights, then no need to endorse separate Trade/Retail – [Transporter] KoB. Otherwise, the Transporter shall obtain a separate FSSAI license at his/her office address for any number of vehicles.
For In-flight Food Services [Airlines] –
a) Airlines shall obtain only one [01] Head Office [Kind of Business] FSSAI License. Additionally, they shall also endorse Food Services [Caterer] Kind of Business in the same FSSAI License. There is no need for Airlines to obtain separate FSSAI License in different States.
b) In case Airlines are also involved in the selling of pre-packaged food, they shall also endorse Trade/Retail – [Retailer] in the same Head Office license.
c) In case Airlines get their pre-packaged food products manufactured or imported under their brand name, they shall obtain an appropriate manufacturing License [i.e. Manufacturer, Repacker or Relabeller] or Importer License.
d) In case, Airlines have the storage of food or any kind of food business activity being conducted at a place other than in-flight, they have to obtain separate FSSAI License as per applicable kind of business for those particular storage premises.
3. The Flight Kitchen Operators and In-Flight food service providers shall comply with the FSS Act, 2006 and the Rules and Regulations made thereunder including the FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020. Further, the labeling norms for prepared food are attached at Annexure-I for reference purposes.
4. Additionally, FSSAI vide order 15(3)2020/FoSCoS/RCD/FSSAI dated 08.06.2021 has made it mandatory to declare the FSSAI License / Registration number on cash receipts/invoices/cash memos/bills etc. by all Food Businesses on sale of food products wef 01st Jan 2022. Accordingly, all flight operators shall adhere to the said order for the food being served to the passengers. The flight operators shall ensure that the passengers are well aware of the FSSAI license number of both the caterer/manufacturer as well as the flight operator [Airlines]. Basic details in case of prepared foods such as the name of the Caterer, FSSAI License number, Date and Time of packaging, and Use by Date and Time, shall be ensured on the packaging along with the other details as applicable as per FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020.
5. Further, passengers shall be made aware of the FSSAI’s Food Safety Connect App to lodge any food-related grievances.
Digitally Signed by Rakesh Kumar
Date : 07-03-2024 10: 09 : 50
Reason: Approved
Director, Regulatory
(Rakesh Kumar)
Director, Regulatory Compliance Division
Copy for information to:
1. All the FBOs and Stakeholders involved in the serving of food to the passengers in flight.
2. Directors, All Regional Offices, FSSAI
3. Dr S Senthilnathan, Addl. DDG & CMO (SAG), DGHS
4. Directorate General of Civil Aviation
5. CTO, FSSAI- HQ, for uploading on the website.
6. PS to CEO, FSSAI.
Annexure-I
Regulatory requirements as per provisions specified under FSS (Labelling & Display) Regulations, 2020
As per sub-regulation 5.10(e) of the FSS (Labelling & Display) Regulations, 2020, “Date and Time of Manufacture” shall be declared on packed meals served in airlines/railways/mobile catering units.
As per sub-regulation 8(4) of the said regulation, in case of prepared food served for immediate consumption such as in hotels or by food service vendors or caterers or halwais or hospitals or at religious gatherings or food served in airline/railways/passenger vehicle or any mobile unit shall accompany or display the minimum information as specified below at the point of sale/serve of the food.
a. Specific declarations prescribed under sub-regulations 1.1(1), (2), (3), 1.4(3), (4) and 1.9 of Schedule II of these regulations;
b. Information relating to allergen: and
c. Logo for veg or non-veg
Provided that in case of food served through vending machine the labeling requirement as prescribed in sub-regulation 5(3)[Nutritional information] of these regulations shall be displayed in addition to the requirements mentioned in 8(4) above, through an appropriate presentation on the outside of vending machine or through poster, leaflet or on the container.
Sub-regulations 1.1(1),(2),(3), “Every package of food containing the following ingredients/additives shall bear the following declarations on the label in a rectangular box, namely:
| S.No. | Ingredients/Additives | Declaration |
| 1. | 10% or more polyols | Polyols may have a laxative effect |
| 2. | 10% or more polydextrose | Polydextrose may have a laxative effect |
| 3. | Added caffeine | Contains Caffeine |
Sub-regulations 1.4(3), (4), “Every package of food containing the following ingredients/ additives and advertisement relating thereto shall carry the following warning and declaration, in a rectangular box, namely:
| S.No. | Ingredients/Additives | Declaration |
| 3. | Every package of food which is permitted to contain non-caloric sweetener mentioned in Food Safety and Standards (Food Products standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 | CONTAIN NON-CALORIC SWEETENER |
| 4. | Monosodium Glutamate | This package of (name of the food ………….. contains added MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE.
NOT RECOMMENDED FOR INFANTS BELOW-12 MONTHS AND PREGNANT WOMEN |
Sub-regulation 1.9, “Every package of flakes and ready-to-eat dry breakfast cereals, noodles, pasta, salad dressings or toppings and spreads; tabletop fiber as filler or carrier, cereals and other snack food or savories and bakery products including biscuits, cookies, bread, cake mix and pastries and other products where dextrin is allowed under Food Safety and standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additive) Regulations, 2011, containing added Dietary Fiber (Dextrin-soluble fiber), shall bear the following declarations, namely:-
| Contains Dietary Fiber (Dextrin)——- (Source of soluble Dietary Fibre) |
Sub-regulation 5(3)(f) “Date and time of manufacture” shall be declared on packed meals served in airlines/railways/mobile catering units.
