FSSAI Central License - An Overview

The FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) is a key government agency responsible for ensuring the well-being of the public through the enforcement of food safety standards. Its core mission is to establish guidelines and regulations that promote food safety awareness across India. The FSSAI also plays a significant role in overseeing food businesses involved in the entire food supply chain, from production to sale, ensuring quality standards. Furthermore, FSSAI actively works to raise consumer awareness about the risks of substandard and low-quality food products, while regularly issuing advisories about unsafe food items.

FSSAI operates under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and is empowered to set norms for food safety, quality control, and consumer protection.

FSSAI Central License

The FSSAI Central License is mandatory for Food Business Operators (FBOs) who:

• Have a turnover exceeding Rs. 20 Crores, or
• Engage in the import or export of food products within India.

Key Functions of FSSAI

• Formulating food safety and hygiene guidelines
• Raising food safety awareness through national initiatives
• Granting mandatory food licenses to food business operators
• Advising the Government of India (GOI) on food safety policies
• Issuing directives and regulations as per the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
• Taking legal action against food businesses engaged in illegal practices, such as food adulteration

Businesses That Require FSSAI Central License

The following types of businesses are required to obtain the FSSAI Central License:

• Restaurants
• E-commerce businesses like online home kitchens
• Food businesses selling essential food products
• Indian Railways food business operators
• Food businesses selling coffee or coffee-based products
• Manufacturers of powdered tea
• Food vending machines
• Food businesses selling Herbalife-based products
• FBOs involved in the import/export of food products
• Indian airport food business operators
• Food marketing companies
• Businesses exporting cashews
• Amazon warehouses
• Hotels
• Supermarkets
• E-commerce businesses selling prepared food online (e.g., Zomato, Swiggy, Uber Eats)
• Online businesses selling packaged commodities (e.g., Flipkart, Amazon)
• Catering businesses
• Event management businesses
• Colleges/institutions with canteens
• Retailers/exporters/importers of fisheries
• Agricultural products businesses
• Manufacturers of packaged products
• Oil manufacturers
• Food outlets
• Hospitals
• Manufacturers of packaged drinking water
• Retailers/exporters/importers of dairy products
• Chocolate manufacturers
• Food transporters
• Re-packagers
• Milk chilling units
• All types of food business operators

Benefits of Getting an FSSAI Central License

Here are the key advantages of obtaining an FSSAI Central License:

1. Worldwide Identity
   The FSSAI License helps in establishing a global reputation for your business. It elevates your brand presence internationally.

2. Business Expansion
   With an FSSAI Central License, expanding your food business to new locations and opening new outlets becomes seamless. It also facilitates obtaining loans and other funding for business development.

3. Legal Advantage
   The FSSAI License offers legal assurance to all those involved in the food business. It serves as proof that your food quality and safety standards are compliant with the regulations.

4. Consumer Awareness
   Consumers are increasingly aware of food safety and quality. Having the FSSAI License ensures that your products meet recognized standards, giving you an edge in the market as consumers prioritize licensed food businesses.

Essential Criteria for Obtaining FSSAI Central License

The FSSAI Central License is granted to food businesses that meet the following criteria:

• Annual turnover exceeding Rs. 20 Crores, or
• Operate multiple units across different states, or
• Monthly/annual production exceeding the prescribed threshold limit.

To qualify for the FSSAI Central License, businesses involved in importing/exporting food items or selling food through their own e-commerce website must meet the turnover requirement.

Special Conditions for FSSAI Central License Application:

• Establishing a Nutraceutical and Health Supplement business.
• Transport businesses with more than 100 vehicles.
• Hotels with a 5-star or 7-star rating.

Other Specific Criteria Include:

• Dairy facilities producing milk solids with an annual production of 50,000 liters or 2,500 metric tons.
• Processing facilities producing vegetable oil with a daily production volume of 2 metric tons.
• Slaughter facilities with a daily capacity of:
  • 50 large animals
  • 150 small animals
  • 1,000 poultry birds
• Meat processing facilities with a daily production capacity of 50 kg or 150 metric tons.
• Food processing facilities producing 2 metric tons daily.
• Food businesses exporting food articles abroad.
• Refrigeration or cold storage facilities with a storage capacity of 1,000 metric tons or more.
• Wholesalers involved in food business with a yearly turnover exceeding Rs. 30 Crores.
• Retailers & distributors of food with an annual turnover exceeding Rs. 20 Crores.
• Catering services or food marketing businesses with a turnover exceeding Rs. 20 Crores.
• Restaurants and eating houses with an annual turnover of Rs. 20 Crores.
• Food catering services operating in government-run establishments like seaports, airports, etc.

Documents Required to Secure FSSAI Central License

Here’s a list of the essential documents required to be submitted at the time of filing an application for the FSSAI Central License:

1. Form B (duly filled and signed by the applicant).
2. Floor plan of the production or processing facility, indicating critical areas with accurate measurements.
3. Key management personnel list including name and residential proof (if the applicant is seeking registration for a company).
4. MOA, AOA & COI (Memorandum of Association, Articles of Association, and Certificate of Incorporation) – required if the license seeker is a private limited company, OPC, or public limited company.
5. Partnership firm details: A complete list of partners with their names, contact details, addresses, and a copy of the partnership deed (if the applicant is a partnership firm).
6. Co-operative society details: A list of serving members, including their names (if the applicant is a co-operative society).
7. Trust details: Copy of the trust deed and trustee records (if the applicant is a registered trust).
8. Utility bills: Proof of address like electricity bills, rent agreement, or registry.
9. Food Safety Management Plan (FSMS) or equivalent protocol in place.
10. List of machines present at the plant.
11. List of active raw material suppliers.
12. No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the concerned local authorities.
13. Tourism certificate issued by the Ministry of Tourism (if the applicant is a hotel owner).
14. IEC certificate issued by DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade) if the applicant intends to export food articles abroad.

Procedure to Obtain FSSAI Central License

Here’s the step-by-step process for securing the FSSAI Central License:

1. Application Filing Via Form B
   The license seeker must first file Form B with the licensing authority. The applicant should ensure that the basic turnover criteria are met while submitting the form.

2. Applicant Scrutiny by FSSAI Officials
   After submission, the application, along with the required documents, will be reviewed by the relevant FSSAI officials for thorough scrutiny.

3. On-Site Inspection by FSSAI's Official of The Business Place
   The FSSAI will send designated officials to inspect the business premises to assess compliance with the standards set by FSSAI.
   Any non-conformity found during this inspection can increase the chances of application rejection.

4. Approval of Application and Grant of The License
   After successful scrutiny and inspection, if the application is approved, the licensing authority will grant the certificate. Once the certificate is received, the business owner can commence operations without any hindrance.

Note: Displaying the certificate at the business premises is also a legal requirement for the license holder.

Validity and Renewal of FSSAI Central License

The FSSAI Central License has a validity period ranging from 1 to 5 years. The cost of the license increases based on the chosen validity duration. To avoid penalties, the license must be renewed at least 30 days before the expiration date.

The renewal process is simple and mirrors the procedure for applying for a new license. While filing the renewal application, the applicant needs to upload the following documents:

• Passport Size Photograph
• ID Proof such as Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, etc.
• PAN Card
• Address proof (telephone bills, electricity bills, etc.)
• Copy of the Land Deed or Agreement for proof of ownership
• If the premises are rented, submit the rental agreement copy and a No Objection Certificate from the landlord.

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