HRANI's request to pull out the Mandatory condition of HRACC Certificate for Hotels has brought respite for unclassified hotels.

FSSAI has issued a clarification on mandatory condition of enclosing HRACC Certificate for all hotels to get their licenses issued / renewed.

The request of HRANI to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to pull out the mandatory Condition for all Hotels to enclose Classification Certificate (HRACC) for acquiring or renewal of FSSAI licence has been relaxed. The anomaly was reported by HRANI to FSSAI. It was brought to light that the said mandatory condition cannot be complied by all hotels as the HRACC certification is carried under a voluntary scheme.

A clarification order from Joint Director (RCD) FSSAI was issued on February 07, 2019 that the Hotel FBO shall upload on the online Food Licensing and Registration System a declaration stating whether they are classified or unclassified (star or non-star) hotels. It stated that in case of unclassified hotels the declaration will be accepted and Licensing Authority will not insist for certificate of star ratings from MOT. The clarification can be downloaded from https://www.fssai.gov.in/home

A representation highlighting the problem was submitted to Sh. Pawan Agarwal, CEO FSSAI by the association. Mrs. Renu Thapliyal, Secretary General HRANI also met Sh. Parveen Jargar, Joint Director, Regulatory Compliance Division FSSAI and mentioned that the condition cannot be fulfilled by all Hotels of the Country as the certification / rating of a Hotel by HRACC Committee of Ministry of Tourism is done under voluntary scheme. Due to this compulsory condition, the hotels members of the association are not able to get their licenses issued / renewed.

Mr. Surendra Kumar Jaiswal, President HRANI & Vice President FHRAI met Dr. Anita Bhatnagar Jain, Additional Chief Secretary, Food Safety and Drug Administration Dept., Govt. of Uttar Pradesh to put forth the concern faced by the industry. He apprised the Additional Chief Secretary that the concern was taken up by HRANI and a detailed representation has been submitted to CEO FSSAI on the same.