FSSAI License Dispute Lawyer in Odisha
FSSAI licenses are issued in tiers — basic registration, state license, or central license — and can be rejected, suspended, or cancelled for alleged violation of food safety standards. Advocate Debarchana Samal represents food business operators in appeals before the Adjudicating Officer, the Food Safety Appellate Tribunal, and the Odisha High Court.
Reviewed by Advocate Debarchana Samal, Bar Council of Odisha · Reg. No. O-1812/2023
How We Help
Licensing Appeals & Compliance
From show-cause notices to appeals before the Tribunal and High Court.
License Rejection Appeals
Challenging rejection of a basic registration, state license, or central license application by the Food Safety Officer or Licensing Authority, where the rejection appears unjustified or procedurally flawed.
Suspension & Cancellation Defence
Representing food business operators facing suspension or cancellation of an FSSAI license following an inspection that alleges violation of food safety standards, including unsanitary conditions or non-compliant labelling.
Appeals Before the Adjudicating Officer
Filing and arguing appeals against an adverse licensing order before the Designated Officer or Adjudicating Officer, the first appellate forum under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Food Safety Appellate Tribunal & High Court
Pursuing further appeal before the Food Safety Appellate Tribunal where constituted, or a writ petition before the Odisha High Court, where the order of the Adjudicating Officer is also adverse.
Compliance Advisory
Advising food businesses in Odisha on the correct licensing tier (basic registration, state license, or central license) based on turnover and scale, to avoid future licensing disputes.
Response to Inspection Reports
Drafting replies and representations to inspection reports and show-cause notices issued by FSSAI or state food safety authorities before a final order is passed.
How FSSAI Licensing Disputes Arise
FSSAI licensing under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 is structured in tiers based on business size — a basic registration for very small operators, a state license for medium-sized food businesses, and a central license for large-scale or specified categories of operators. Disputes typically arise from rejection of a fresh or renewal application, or suspension/cancellation following an inspection that finds the premises or product in violation of prescribed food safety standards.
The appeal process generally begins before the Designated Officer or Adjudicating Officer who passed or oversaw the order, with further appeal available before the Food Safety Appellate Tribunal where constituted for the state, or through a writ petition before the Odisha High Court where no such Tribunal remedy is available or has been exhausted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different tiers of FSSAI licensing, and why does it matter in a dispute?
FSSAI licensing is tiered into basic registration (for very small businesses), a state license (for medium-sized businesses), and a central license (for large or specific categories of businesses), based primarily on annual turnover and the nature of the business. The applicable tier affects which authority issued the license and, therefore, which forum hears a dispute over it.
On what grounds can an FSSAI license be suspended or cancelled in Odisha?
Common grounds include violation of food safety standards detected during inspection, failure to comply with licensing conditions, unhygienic manufacturing or storage conditions, non-renewal within the prescribed period, or supply of food found unsafe or substandard during sampling.
Where do I appeal if my FSSAI license is cancelled in Odisha?
An appeal against an order of cancellation or suspension ordinarily lies before the Designated Officer or Adjudicating Officer in the first instance, and thereafter before the Food Safety Appellate Tribunal where one is constituted for the state, or by way of a writ petition before the Odisha High Court.
Can a food business continue operating while an FSSAI license dispute is pending?
This depends on the specific order passed and whether any interim relief has been sought and granted by the appellate forum. Operating without a valid license or in violation of a suspension order can itself expose the business to further penalty, so the status of the order should be clarified before continuing operations.
What documents are useful when challenging an adverse FSSAI order?
The inspection report, any show-cause notice and the business's reply to it, the final order being challenged, the license certificate, and records showing compliance measures taken are generally relevant. A lawyer reviews the specific order and file to determine the full set of documents needed for the appeal.
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Serving clients across Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, and all districts of Odisha.