R.I.P. – Marketeer


The Marketeer KoB is done and dusted.

Are you aware that the ‘Marketeer / Marketer ’ kind of business is no longer available in the licensing provisions of FSSAI? Here is some information regarding it.

FSSAI disabled the ‘Marketer’ Kind of Business from Sep 2021 onwards. The ‘Marketer’ KoB pertained to entities that were involved in the marketing of food products without physical possession of the manufacturing unit. However, recognizing the evolving dynamics of the food business landscape, the FSSAI has chosen to remove this category. Food Business Operators holding the ‘Marketer’ KoB in their FSSAI license are required to update their license to encompass the revised ‘Kinds of Businesses (KoBs)’ information.

Relabeller and Repacker

In a general context, the term “third-party manufacturing” or “contract manufacturing” refers to the practice where a company utilizes another company’s production facility to create its products and subsequently market them under its own brand name. However, according to regulatory guidelines, this concept encompasses additional dimensions.

The manufacturer has 3 sub-categories:


  • Manufacturer – When an individual or entity possesses or manages a facility engaged in the production or processing of a food item is considered a manufacturer.
  • Relabeller – The FBOs who get their products manufactured from third-party manufacturers are considered as ‘Relabellers’ and they are required to choose the ‘Manufacturer-Relabeller’ kind of Business while applying for an FSSAI license.
  • Repacker – The FBOs who are into repacking food products are required to select the ‘Manufacturer- Repacker’ KoB. The repacking operation involves packing products into different sizes, with minimum processing like sorting, grading, sieving etc. and that doesn’t affect the composition of the product.
As per the regulations, a re-labeller is a deemed manufacturer who can get his/her products manufactured only from a facility that holds a valid FSSAI license. Such businesses shall not hold manufacturing/ processing units of their own. The license shall be issued to their head office/ registered office. Details of the actual manufacturers will be mentioned in the annexures of the license.

The overlap between marketer and relabeller license

Numerous companies, before Sep 2021 and to some extent, even now, operate with a marketer license and do not possess a re-labeller license.

It’s noteworthy that the Licensing Regulations of 2011 do not explicitly define or address a marketer license. Intriguingly, the FLRS and then the FoSCoS websites incorporated a marketer category within the “Trade/Retail” classification. Self-marketing pertains to the promotion of a brand’s food product that is under self-ownership, while third-party marketing pertains to the promotion of a brand’s food product not owned by the promoter.

While the requirement for a re-labeller license arises when branded products are manufactured by third parties, the necessity for a marketer license primarily revolves around marketing and sales activities, without explicitly delving into the manufacturing aspect. Consequently, if a company outsources the manufacturing of their branded product to a third party, it falls within the re-labeller license domain.

To avoid discrepancies and to compel the brand owners to take responsibility for the food products being sold under their brand name, FSSAI decided to withdraw the marketer KoB. All such brands are now required to add a relabeller KoB to their licenses.

Regulatory compliance – While the items are manufactured by a company holding a valid license, either they are labelled and promoted by a separate entity (relabeller) or their products are being repacked by another entity (repacker). Hence, it becomes the duty of these brand owners or deemed manufacturers to ensure strict adherence to the regulatory requirements outlined by the regulatory authorities. For example-

  • File annual returns before 31st May every year
  • Upload the 6 monthly Lab Testing reports on FoSCoS
  • Compliance with hygiene and sanitary practices mentioned in Schedule 4 of FSS (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011
  • Compliance with licensing conditions
  • Compliance with labelling and packaging regulations

License Renewal & Modification for the FBOs with Marketer KoB

The FBOS who have ‘Marketer’ KoB in their existing FSSAI license can still renew their licenses, however, they are required to modify their license to include appropriate KoB during the subsequent modification of their license.

We can help you to modify your licenses, if you haven’t, yet.

We can also assist in getting a new license. and of course, to make you compliant with all other regulatory requirements.

You can contact us at info@foodsafetyworks.com or visit us at www.foodsafetyworks.com and we will be happy to help you.



The Author Ms. Surabhi Soral is a Food Technologist and passionate about setting things right in the first go. She is a Consultant at Food Safety Works and heads the regulatory and compliance team.

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