FSSAI License and Registration in India – An Overview

A Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) license is mandatory for operating a food business in India. Any person or entity engaged in this industry -manufacturing, processing, distribution and sale of food products - must obtain FSSAI license registration, enabling them to operate their business legally.

The FSSAI food license ensures that business owners and operators follow safety and quality compliances, which helps keep public health under check and promotes consumer confidence in the products sold. FSSAI License registration establishes trustworthiness and boosts business credibility to meet legal regulations and standards. Make your food business journey blissful with our FSSAI license consultants and meet your FSSAI compliance needs.

FSSAI License Benefits

Food Business Operators (FBOs) that obtain FSSAI food licenses are exposed to multiple benefits. Some of the FSSAI license benefits include the following: below:

Legal Compliance

Manufacturers, processors, distributors, and food product sellers who obtain the mandatory FSSAI licenses follow compulsory compliance to operate their business legally in India. An FSSAI food license assures that the company has fulfilled its obligations in line with all Indian food and safety laws. It helps them avoid legal penalties arising out of non-compliance.

Consumer Trust

Businesses with a valid FSSAI food license can display their certificate, which helps them build consumer trust. Displaying the certificate also reflects the business's confidence in following safety standards mandated by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. It boosts consumer loyalty and strengthens their trust in the business.

Market Expansion

Every business aims to expand its operations, and FSSAI is a gateway to many such opportunities. The FSSAI license plays a pivotal role in helping businesses in the food industry venture into new markets and capitalize on opportunities. Businesses with a valid FSSAI certification can explore sectors like retail and online platforms.

Improved Hygiene Standards

Obtaining an FSSAI food license requires the applicant businesses to follow stringent safety standards and measures. The process allows companies to focus on maintaining high hygiene quality standards, which in turn reduces the risk of contamination and prevents foodborne diseases. Overall, the FSSAI license helps businesses improve their product quality.

Government Support

A business that has obtained an FSSAI food license becomes eligible for various central and state government schemes, subsidies, and other support initiatives. Government support plays an important role in improving the business and expanding operations, especially for companies seeking financial support.

Eligibility Criteria for FSSAI License in India

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, eligibility criteria to apply for an FSSAI license include the following:

Checklist for applicants to apply for FSSAI license:

Annual Turnover: State License – INR 12 lakhs to INR 20 crore, Central License – Above INR 20 crore

Production Capacity: State License – Up to 2MT/day (food), 50,000 litres/day (dairy), Central License – Over 2MT/day (food), 50,000 litres/day (dairy)

Business Type: State License – Single state operations, Central License – E-commerce, import-export, multi-state operations

Area of Operation: State License – Within a single state, Central License – For multiple states

Storage Capacity: State License – Up to 50,000 metric tons, Central License – Above 50,000 metric tons

Checklist - Who all needs an FSSAI License?

Food manufacturers, processors, importers, exporters, distributors, wholesalers

Food retailers, including grocery stores and supermarkets

Food caterers, restaurants, clubs, dhabas, hawkers, marketers

Food transporters & logistics providers

Food packaging & labelling units

Food storage facilities, service providers and online food businesses

Documents Required for FSSAI License and Registration

It’s important for FBOs to understand FSSAI license requirements. The documents required to obtain an FSSAI license are:

Form IX is required for basic and state registration and nomination in state registration.

Address Proof to verify the business address.

Government-issued ID Card as Identity proof for the applicant.

Form A for Declaration for basic registration declaration.

NOC from Local Municipality as No Objection Certificate

Detailed Layout Plan with premise details (state registration).

Raw Material Source for information on the source of raw materials.

Form B as the application/renewal form for state and central registrations.

Food Safety Management Plan to outline the food safety procedures (central registration).

Partnership Deed/Self-Declaration as proof of business structure (state registration).

Step-by-Step FSSAI License Process

FSSAI license process has to be followed by all Food Business Operators (FBOs) to get FSSAI certification. This is how to get FSSAI food license:

Application Filing

Filing online FSSAI food license application through Form A or Form B via the FoSCoS portal or submitting Form A or Form B to the Food and Safety Department.

Application Submission

Ensure that the application submitted has the required documents attached.

Verification Process

Upon submission, the application undergoes a rigorous verification process, determining its approval or rejection. In case of rejection, applicants are duly informed by the authorities.

Inspection

As part of the verification process, a designated FSSAI official conducts a comprehensive inspection of the food premises to ensure compliance with food safety standards.

License Issuance

Post verification issuance of FSSAI registration certificate and registration number.

Violations & Non-Compliance and Penalty & Offences

Violations and non-compliance of FBOs with food safety rules lead to different penalties and legal outcomes.

Violations and Non-Compliance

FBOs must comply with the FSS Act of 2006 to operate legally.

Businesses that fail to renew their licenses face automatic cancellation on the due date.

It is illegal for FBOs to operate with expired licenses as it violates the law.

FBOs categories - Compliance (C), Non-compliance (NC), Partial compliance (PC), or not applicable (NA).

Fined for non-compliance and failing to address issues highlighted in the inspection.

It is mandatory to rectify the non-compliance problems & make changes to avoid penalties.

Operational status is subject to penalties based on the inspection reports.

Penalty and Offences for Violations & Non-Compliance

Non-compliance of Food Quality as per FSS Act, 2006 - INR 2 Lakh, Petty manufacturer – INR 25,000

Sub-Standard food – INR 5 Lakh

Misbranded Food – INR 3 Lakh

Misleading Advertisement or False Description – INR 10 Lakh

Extraneous matter in food – INR 1 Lakh

Non-compliance of directions by Food Safety Officer – INR 2 Lakh

Unhygienic Manufacturing or Processing – INR 1 Lakh

Different categories of FSSAI Licenses

The Food Safety and Standards (Licensing & Registration) Regulations, 2011, licenses and registrations have divided Food Business Operators (FBOs) into three categories based on business type, revenue and manufacturing capacity:

FSSAI Registration

FSSAI Registration is mandatory for FBOs with revenue generation or turnover of less than INR 12 Lakh annually. Petty FBOs must also obtain FSSAI registration to operate legally. Any business seeking this registration must complete Form A to complete the formalities.

State License

FSSAI State License is mandatory for all FBOs with revenue generation or turnover of over INR 12 Lakh but less than INR 20 Crore per annum. FBOs like small to medium-sized manufacturing units, storage, transporters, retailers, marketers, and distributors under this category must fill out Form B to complete the registration formalities.

Central License

FSSAI Central License is mandatory for all FBOs with annual revenues of over INR 20 Crore. Businesses classified as 100% Export-Oriented Units, importers, airports, food business operators in central government agencies, large manufacturers, seaports, etc., must obtain this license by filling out Form B to complete the registration formalities.

Features of FSSAI License

FSSAI license ensures food businesses comply with safety standards, promoting public health and consumer trust.

Mandatory for food-related businesses, the FSSAI food license ensures compliance with food safety regulations.

FSSAI certification validates the compliance of food products with safety and hygiene standards set by the FSSAI.

It helps boost consumer confidence by validating the adherence to quality standards and food safety guidelines.

It enhances the credibility of food businesses, helping them attract more customers and expand opportunities.

It facilitates maintaining uniform food safety standards across all the states in India.

It requires businesses to label their food products correctly, including ingredients, nutritional information, and expiry dates.

It mandates food safety audits at regular intervals to comply with FSSAI guidelines.

It helps businesses avoid penalties and fines for non-compliance with food safety compliances.

It provides different license categories depending on the business size - Basic, State, and Central licenses.

It mandates timely renewal to ensure businesses maintain compliance and avoid legal issues.

Post Registration Compliance for FSSAI License

Once the FSSAI license is obtained, businesses must comply with different post-registration compliances listed below:

Annual Returns Submission

Compliance with submission of annual returns via Form D1 to FSSAI by the end of May 31st each year to ensure meeting regulatory requirements and avoid penalties.

Record Keeping

To ensure traceability, comprehensive records of food procurement, production, and sales must be maintained. This is a mandatory post-registration requirement in accordance with regulations.

Record Keeping

To ensure traceability, comprehensive records of food procurement, production, and sales must be maintained. This is a mandatory post-registration requirement in accordance with regulations.

Hygiene Maintenance

Businesses must ensure they maintain high hygiene standards in all their food handling areas as a part of their mandatory post-registration compliance with FSSAI's safety and cleanliness requirements.

Food Labelling Compliance

Businesses must ensure compliance with food labelling according to FSSAI guidelines. This includes labelling ingredients correctly, sharing nutritional details, and clearly displaying expiry dates.

License Renewal

Businesses must remember to renew their FSSAI food license before it reaches its expiration date, which varies between 1 and 5 years, depending on the business category.

Staff Training

Businesses must regularly train their staff on food safety protocols to meet FSSAI standards and best business practices as part of mandatory compliance requirements.