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FSSAI State License - An Overview
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a key government-backed entity responsible for regulating India's food sector. It has established numerous guidelines and provisions to promote food safety nationwide. Every food business in India must obtain a valid FSSAI State License to operate legally.
Operating without a valid State Food License Registration is a punishable offense under the FSS Act, 2006. FSSAI conducts all its operations in compliance with this Act and follows directives from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
Role of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
FSSAI plays a crucial role in ensuring food safety and protecting public health. Its key responsibilities include:
- Formulating guidelines and norms for the food sector.
- Launching initiatives to promote food safety awareness.
- Issuing directives for food business operators (FBOs).
- Establishing rules and standards for food testing laboratories.
- Monitoring and collecting data on food contaminants.
- Providing recommendations to the Indian Government for new food safety regulations.
- Implementing a rapid alert system for identifying issues in food products.
FSSAI has also set stringent regulations for proprietary food units, as many of them previously operated without clear norms. These businesses must now obtain an FSSAI State License without exception.
Additionally, FSSAI has introduced mandatory provisions for FBOs and enforces regulations on food manufacturing, storage, sale, and distribution to ensure food safety and hygiene. It has also established an information network to educate the public about food safety and hygiene standards.
Benefits of FSSAI State License
The FSSAI State License is crucial for food businesses operating within a specific state in India. Key benefits include:
- Enhances brand recognition among consumers and the public.
- Improves business credibility and trustworthiness.
- Attracts more customers by ensuring compliance with food safety regulations.
- Provides legal stability, protecting businesses from penalties and legal issues.
- Encourages best practices to maintain food safety and hygiene standards.
Who Needs an FSSAI State License?
Businesses engaged in food manufacturing, processing, packaging, storage, distribution, or sales with a medium-sized operation must obtain an FSSAI State License. This applies to:
- Businesses operating in a single state with an annual turnover between 12 lakh and 20 crore.
- Facilities dealing with Proprietary Foods.
- Vegetable oil production and processing units using solvent extraction within the specified turnover range.
- Hotels rated 4-star or below.
- Dairy and milk chilling units with a production capacity of 500 to 50,000 liters per day.
- Storage units with a total capacity of less than 50,000 metric tons annually.
- Slaughterhouses handling:
- 2 to 50 large animals per day
- 10 to 150 small animals per day
- 50 to 1,000 poultry birds per day
- Food processing facilities, including repacking units, with a production capacity of 100 kg/liter to 2 metric tons per day.
Documents Required to Obtain FSSAI State License
To apply for an FSSAI State License, the following documents are required:
- Details of key management personnel (Directors, Partners, Proprietors, Executive Members of the Society) with their real address and contact details.
- Passport-sized photos of the applicant.
- Identification and address proof of the applicant.
- Applicant's PAN card.
- Property documents (if the business premises are owned by the applicant).
- Rent agreement and NOC from the landlord (if the property is rented).
- Details of raw material suppliers.
- Duly completed and signed Form B.
- List of machinery installed at the facility.
- NOC from the local municipality.
- Details of food categories and proposed food articles to be produced.
- Import Export Code (IEC) issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.
- Form-IX.
- Authorization letter with the name and address of the responsible person.
- Food Safety Management System (FSMS) plan.
Process for Obtaining FSSAI State License
To obtain an FSSAI State License, follow these steps:
- Arrange the necessary documents and file the application using Form B.
- Submit the application via the FOSCOS online portal, along with the standard fees.
- FSSAI officials review the application and documents for compliance.
- If required, an on-site inspection may be conducted to assess compliance at the business premises.
- Grant of the FSSAI State License by the licensing authority. (Note: The application may be rejected in case of non-compliance.)
- Commence business operations after receiving the license.
Penalty for Not Complying with FSSAI Norms
FSSAI officials can conduct surprise audits, and failure to comply with regulations may result in penalties as per the FSS Act, 2006.
S.No | Particulars | Fine (Rs.) |
---|---|---|
1 | Food quality breaches compliance | 2 Lakh (25,000 for petty manufacturers) |
2 | Sub-standard food | 5 Lakh |
3 | Misbranded food | 3 Lakh |
4 | False advertisement or misleading description | 10 Lakh |
5 | Extraneous matter in food | 1 Lakh |
6 | Non-cooperation with food safety officers | 2 Lakh |
7 | Unhygienic food processing or manufacturing | 1 Lakh |
Fee Structure for Obtaining FSSAI State License
Applicants seeking an FSSAI State License must pay the required fees through:
- Demand Draft (DD)
- Treasury Challan
- Cash
The applicable fee depends on the production capacity of the food business:
Manufacturer (Production Capacity) | License Fees/Year (INR) |
---|---|
More than 1 million tons/day OR 10,001 to 50,000 L/day of milk OR 501 to 2,500 million tons of milk solids/annum | 5,000 |
Less than 1 million tons/day OR 501 to 10,000 L/day of milk OR 2.5 million tons to 500 million tons of milk solids annually | 3,000 |
Hotels with a 4-star rating | 5,000 |
All Food Service Providers (restaurants, canteens, clubs, caterers, banquet halls, Dabbawallas, & other FBOs) | 2,000 |
Timeline to Obtain FSSAI State License
Securing an FSSAI State License involves several stages. Below is an overview of the estimated timeline:
Stage | Timeframe | Details |
---|---|---|
Preparation & Documentation | 1-2 Weeks | Gather all required documents, including business registration, address proof, identity proof, and food safety management plan. |
Submission of Application | 1 Week | Submit the FSSAI State License application online via the FSSAI portal or at the nearest FSSAI office. |
Review of Application & Documents | 2-3 Weeks | The FSSAI authority reviews the submitted application and documents. Additional information may be requested. |
Inspection Period | 2-4 Weeks | FSSAI officials conduct an on-site inspection to verify compliance with food safety norms. Ensure all necessary safety measures are in place. |
License Issuance | 1-2 Weeks | After a successful inspection and final review, the FSSAI State License is issued and delivered. |
Total Estimated Time: 6 to 12 weeks
Why Choose Fastzeal for FSSAI State Food License Registration?
Streamline your FSSAI State Food License Registration journey with Fastzeal! Our expert-driven approach transforms licensing from a regulatory obligation into a strategic asset for your business.
Why Entrepreneurs Trust Fastzeal?
Thorough Compliance Assessments – Ensuring adherence to state-specific regulations.
10+ Years of Expertise – Expanding your business potential with proven industry experience.
99% Success Rate – Securing FSSAI approval in one go.
Enhanced Brand Credibility – Strengthen your market presence with a valid FSSAI State License.
Seamless & Hassle-Free Process – Ensuring smooth application processing.
Nationwide Services – Delivering State Food License Registration across 25+ states.
Frequently Asked Questions:
An FSSAI state license is granted by the State Authorities functioning in each state. This is per the FSS Regulations, 2011. Based on the eligibility, food business operators may fall under State License or Registration. Generally, FBOs with annual turnover ranging from 12 lakhs to 20 crores are required to get this license.
An FSSAI state license is granted by the State Authorities functioning in each state. This is per the FSS Regulations, 2011. Based on the eligibility, food business operators may fall under State License or Registration. Generally, FBOs with annual turnover ranging from 12 lakhs to 20 crores are required to get this license.
If FBOs operate a food establishment with a valid food license, then FSSAI can impose a penalty of up to rupees 5 lakhs. The jail term could be slapped on the defaulter in a worst-case scenario. A penalty of one lakh rupees could come into effect if the FBO is found guilty of producing food items under unsanitary conditions.
The license holder must renew the license 30 days before the expiration of the state food license registration to avert a late fine. FSSAI charges a Rs.100/day fine for renewing the license after the expiration date.
Maintaining the food quality level to ensure safety & facilitating satisfaction for every customer is the aim of FBOs. FSSAI plays a vital role in formulating the controlling procedure. FBOs with the FSSAI State License are bound to comply with food safety norms to avert significant penalties.
The FSSAI formulates its guidelines for FBOs based on the FSS Act, 2006.
The authority will conduct a thorough scrutiny of the submitted paperwork and may arrange an on-site inspection of the business place.
The time required to obtain an FSSAI state license can be 60 days from the date of filing the complete application by the applicant.
FSSAI State licenses are given to food businesses operating within one state, whereas the FSSAI Central License is for those planning to operate in multiple states under a centralized system.