Audit Monitoring explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Part IV of the Food Safety Auditing Regulations, 2018 (regulations 13 to 15) covers what happens around the audit: how the Food Authority monitors recognised auditing agencies, who handles a dispute between a food business and an auditor, and how long audit records must be kept. The Schedule carries three forms.
These Regulations are read as amended up to 28 August 2018 (the Regulations as notified; FSSAI lists no amendment as at 2 October 2026). The Gazette text prevails. Later notifications should be checked on fssai.gov.in. A food business can plan its audit file with FSSAI compliance support.
The Food Authority monitors agencies by reviewing audit reports and performance, on-site assessment of auditors and reports of the accreditation body. Disputes with auditors go to the Central or State licensing authority. Agencies keep the final conformance report and audit documents at least five years; the food business operator keeps its audit findings and rectification records five years.
Regulation 13: audit monitoring
Regulation 13(1) says the Food Authority shall monitor the performance of recognised auditing agencies in the manner printed. The monitoring mechanism includes:
- review of the audit reports and performance;
- on-site assessment of the auditors, to ensure their competency in auditing food safety management systems and the regulatory requirements;
- assessment of the auditing agency on the basis of the report of the accreditation body; and
- any other mechanism as specified by the Food Authority.
The monitoring information also feeds renewal: regulation 6(2) says the Food Authority has regard, before renewing, to the agency's performance during the previous validity period and to complaints received (see our article on regulations 4 to 7).
Regulation 14: handling disputes
- 14(1) The Central or State Licensing Authorities are the contact point for a food business operator "to engage in case of any dispute or disagreement with auditors".
- 14(2) In case of non-cooperation or resistance by the food business operator to the working of the auditing agencies or auditors, the matter is referred to the Central or State Licensing authorities for resolution.
So a dispute runs in both directions through the same authority: the operator who disagrees with an auditor goes to the licensing authority, and an auditor who meets resistance refers it there too. The Regulations do not set a timeline or a form for either step. The licensing authorities are explained in our article on regulation 2.1.2 of the Licensing Regulations.
Regulation 15: record keeping
| Who | What | How long |
|---|---|---|
| Auditing agency (15(1)) | The final conformance report and all other documents related to the audit, including the first audit report, actions taken and successive communications on rectification measures, with full confidentiality | At least five years |
| Food business operator (15(2)) | All records of audit findings and rectification | Five years |
The agency's period is "at least" five years; the operator's is five years as printed. The agency's confidentiality duty also appears in regulation 10(iv) and (vii); see regulations 8 to 12.
The Schedule: Forms A, B and C
The Regulations carry three forms. Their contents are described by heading only.
| Form | Heading | Where used |
|---|---|---|
| A | Application Form for Recognition/Renewal/Change in scope of Auditing Agency | Regulations 4(1), 5(3) and 6(1) |
| B | Certificate of Recognition | Regulation 5 |
| C | Declaration | Regulation 12(1), on conflict of interest |
Form A asks for the agency's identifying and contact details, its legal entity status, details of its accreditation certificate, specialised areas of work, details, qualifications and training of its auditors, and audits conducted in the last two years, with a list of documents to be enclosed. Form B is the certificate itself, with a recognition number and columns for name and address, date of issue or renewal, validity and scope, and a note that it must not be altered. Form C is the declaration on independence described in the article on regulations 8 to 12. This article does not walk through the fields.
An invented example: Harvest Foods disagrees with an auditor's finding that its cold room log is incomplete. Under regulation 14(1) it takes the disagreement to its licensing authority rather than to the Food Authority's monitoring team. Whatever the outcome, Harvest Foods keeps the audit findings and its rectification records for five years, and the auditing agency keeps its set for at least five years.
How this fits with the rest
This is the last Part of the Regulations. The criteria are in regulations 1 to 3. The Act's provision on recognition is in sections 43 and 44 of the FSS Act, and the overview is third party food safety auditing.
Need help with audit records?
Five-year retention is easy to promise and hard to keep without a system. Our FSSAI compliance support team can help set up an audit and rectification register that your licensing authority and agency can rely on.
Key takeaways
- The Food Authority monitors agencies through report review, on-site assessment of auditors and accreditation body reports.
- Disputes and resistance are resolved through the Central or State Licensing Authority.
- Agencies keep audit documents at least five years; food businesses keep audit findings and rectification records five years.
- Form A (application), Form B (Certificate of Recognition) and Form C (declaration).
Read next
- Regulations 1–3: recognition criteria
- Regulations 8–12: audit process, auditors and reports
- Third party food safety auditing under FSSAI
- Sections 43 and 44, FSS Act
Disclaimer: Based on the FSSAI regulations named above as consolidated in FSSAI's compendium versions or as published in the Gazette, with the later notifications the article names (consulted on fssai.gov.in on 2-3 October 2026). Later notifications and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 provisions referred to should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.