Reply to Show Cause Notice from FSSAI — Template

[Name of Food Business Operator / Establishment]
[Full Address of Premises]
FSSAI Licence / Registration No.: [14-digit No.]

Ref: Reply to Show Cause Notice No. [___] dated [DD/MM/YYYY]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]

To,
The Designated Officer,
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India,
[District / Area Office],
[Address].

Subject: Reply to Show Cause Notice issued under Section [32 / 42 /
         relevant] of the FSS Act, 2006 read with Regulation 2.1.8 of
         the FSS (Licensing & Registration) Regulations, 2011,
         proposing [suspension / cancellation of licence / penalty].

Respected Sir / Madam,

1. We have received the Show Cause Notice No. [___] dated [DD/MM/YYYY]
   ("the Notice") calling upon us to show cause as to why our
   licence/registration No. [___] should not be [suspended/cancelled]
   / why penalty should not be imposed for the alleged contravention
   of [describe allegation, e.g. Section 26 / Section 31 of the Act].

2. At the outset, we deny each and every allegation contained in the
   Notice save as expressly admitted herein, and submit our reply as
   under.

3. FACTS: We are a Food Business Operator engaged in [nature of
   business] since [year], holding a valid FSSAI licence and complying
   with the applicable food-safety standards, hygiene requirements of
   Schedule 4, and labelling requirements.

4. REPLY TO ALLEGATIONS:

   (a) Allegation: [e.g. sample found sub-standard / misbranded].
       Reply: [The sample was drawn without following Section 47
       procedure / the product conforms to FSS (Food Products
       Standards) Regulations / the report is disputed and we exercise
       our right to referral-lab analysis under Section 46(4)].

   (b) Allegation: [e.g. hygiene / documentation lapse].
       Reply: [The alleged lapse has since been rectified vide
       corrective action on [Date]; supporting records enclosed].

   (c) Allegation: [___].
       Reply: [___].

5. That the alleged contravention, even if assumed (without admitting),
   is technical/inadvertent, has caused no harm to public health, and
   has already been remedied. No case for suspension/cancellation or
   penalty is therefore made out.

6. That we have always acted bona fide and in compliance with the Act,
   and any adverse order would cause grave and irreparable prejudice to
   our lawful business and livelihood of our workers.

7. PRAYER: In the light of the above, we most respectfully request your
   good office to:
     (i)  drop the Show Cause Notice and the proceedings initiated
          thereunder;
     (ii) grant us a personal hearing before passing any order, in
          accordance with the principles of natural justice; and
     (iii) take our compliance and this reply on record.

We enclose the supporting documents for your kind consideration.

Enclosures:
   1. Copy of the Show Cause Notice dated [DD/MM/YYYY].
   2. Copy of valid FSSAI licence / registration.
   3. Corrective-action records / test reports / photographs.
   4. [Any other document].

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

For [Name of Food Business Operator],

____________________________
([Name])
[Proprietor / Partner / Director / Authorised Signatory]
Mobile: [___]   Email: [___]