If you want to establish a food company in India, you must first get a fssai registration. In India, it is also known as a food license, where you may get a fssai certificate. FSSAI is an abbreviation for the ‘Food Safety and Standards Authority of India,’ which is the organization that enables FSSAI registration in India and gives FSSAI certificates or Food Licenses. FSSAI is an independent organisation that works under the Department of Health and Family Welfare of the Government of India to regulate and monitor the food industry in India.
The major goals of FSSAI, which was established under the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 (FSS Act), are to combine the legislation connected to the food sector. FSSAI assures that food items are safe and of high quality. These restrictions aid in reducing adulteration and the selling of subpar food goods.
FSSAI registration for food businesses in India results in the issuance of an FSSAI license to “Food Business Operators” (FBOs), which ensures that such businesses follow the laid down rules and regulations for running food businesses, in the interest of the ultimate consumers, i.e. the people at large in the country.
Why FSSAI Registration is required?
FSSAI Registration or License is required for every firm that makes, processes, stores, sells, or distributes food items. The size and type of the firm determine the FSSAI Registration and FSSAI License.
FSSAI registration in India, also known as a food license, is a 14-digit number that must be put on the packaging of packaged food. This 14-digit FSSAI license number contains information on the registration of a food company, including the state code, the year of enrolment, the number of enrolling masters, and the packaged food producer’s permit number. The Food Safety & Standards Rules, 2011 govern the whole process of FSSAI registration in India, including the conditions for obtaining a food license (Licensing and Registration of food Business).
Types of FSSAI Registration in India.
In India, there are three categories of FSSAI registration/license. It is determined by the amount of business and the size of the premises. Based on the applicant’s turnover, installed capacity, location, and applicant’s premises, the applicant may apply for any of the three –
- Central License – Big Food Business
- State License – Medium Food Business
- Petty Food Business Registration
In India, FSSAI license or registration is required.
- Large food manufacturers, importers-exporters, and entities dealing in large-scale food sales or distribution in India must obtain FSSAI registration from the central government, whereas small to medium-sized food manufacturing units, marketers, transporters, traders, and so on, must obtain FSSAI registration from the state government.
- FBOs having revenue of Rs 12 lakh to Rs 20 crore must apply for a state license. Food Business Operator with revenue of more than Rs. 20 crores and operations in two or more states must apply for a central license.
- All food importers and exporters must have a central license.
- Additional requirements for acquiring a license include: food production operations with a daily capacity of 2MT, dairy units handling milk up to 5000 liters per day, 3 star hotels and above, re-packers, relabeling units, canteens, clubs, and any catering enterprises in India, regardless of turnover. The license has a maximum and minimum duration of 5 years and 1 year, respectively.
Documents Needed in India for Central FSSAI Registration:
- “Form-B” must be duly filled and signed.
- The locational layout of a food processing facility, including dimensions and the space allotted for operation.
- A list of the Directors / Partners / Proprietors, including their addresses, contact information, and picture ID.
- Machine and equipment names, numbers, and installed capacities.
- A list of the food categories that will be produced.
- Authorization letter from the manufacturer to the designated person in charge of the item. His name and location.
- Water analysis report for the unit to be utilized for food preparation.
- Raw material sources for milk, meat, and so forth.
- When relevant, a safety recall strategy
- Certificate of 100% EOU from the Ministry of Trade
- FSSAI provided NOC / PA paperwork
- DGFT released IE code paper
- Form IX
- 14 Ministry of Tourism Certificate
- Evidence of possession of the premises.
- Affidavit of ownership / Partnership agreement.
- NOC and a copy of the manufacturer’s license.
- Plan and certificate for a food safety management system.
- Letter of authorization from the municipality or local government.
- Documents supporting verification of handover and transportation Form
- Declaration
Documents required to get a State license or FSSAI registration:
- “Form-B” Application must be duly filled and signed.
- A processing unit placement plan that clearly shows the dimensions and operation-wise space allocation.
- A list of the Directors / Partners / Proprietors, including their addresses, contact information, and picture ID.
- Machine and equipment names, numbers, and installed capacities.
- A list of the food categories that will be produced.
- Authorization letter from the manufacturer to the designated person in charge of the item. His name and location.
- A report on water analysis to be utilized in the unit.
- Evidence of possession of the premises.
- Affidavit of ownership or partnership agreement.
- NOC and a copy of the manufacturer’s license.
- In the event of a cooperative society, a copy of the certificate from the Coop Act 1861/Multistate Coop Act 2002.
Plan and certificate for a food safety management system:
For conversion, renewal, and modification of the FSSAI license, certain papers and documentation are necessary.
Applicability of FSSAI Registration in India:
FSSAI Registration is a fundamental license that is required of all FBOs working in the small-scale food sector. This category includes the following companies:
- FBOs with yearly revenues of up to Rs. 12 lakh.
- A small shopkeeper who sells food.
- Any Person who creates and/or sells food on his own.
- The temporary booth holder sells food.
- Those who provide food during religious or social gatherings (except a caterer).
- Home-based or small-scale food-related businesses.
- Possessing a food production capability of up to 100 kg/litre per day (other than milk and meat).
- Milk procurement, handling, and collection (up to 500 litres per day).
- Running a slaughterhouse with a daily capacity of no more than two big animals, ten small animals, or fifty poultry birds.
How to Get FSSAI Registration in India
- In India, FSSAI registration is commenced by submitting Form A to the Food and Safety Department.
- The department has 7 days from the date of receipt of the application to approve or reject it. The applicant must be informed of the denial in writing.
- If the department accepts the application, the department provides a registration certificate with the registration number and the applicant’s image.
- The registration certificate must be conspicuously displayed at the business location during business hours.
Passport size picture and photo ID evidence are necessary for all three levels of registration: basic, state, and central.
Further documentation will be required for State and Central FSSAI licenses:
- A completed and signed Form B
- Address verification
- A list of food categories and All items
- Proposed site layout design
- List of equipment
- NOC from municipality
- Incorporation certificate
- List of directors/partners
- MOA and AOA
- Water test report
- Code for Import and Export
The Advantages of Obtaining FSSAI Registration in India
An FSSAI registration in India or Food license in India gives legal advantages to the food industry, fosters goodwill, assures food safety, raises consumer knowledge, and aids in business development. It also aids in the regulation of import food storage, manufacturing, distribution, and sale.
Noncompliance's Consequences
Food safety inspectors visit the facility and use a checklist to verify the degree of compliance with the requirements, marking it as:
- Observance (C)
- Failure to comply (NC)
- Partial conformity (PC)
- Inapplicable/Unobserved (NA)
Based on the aforesaid findings, the food safety officer may issue an improvement notice in accordance with Section 32 of the FSS Act, 2006. If the FBO continues to fail to comply with the notification, the officer may terminate his license after sending the FBO a show cause notice. Any FBO who is dissatisfied with the notification may file an appeal with the State Commissioner of Food Safety. An appeal to the Food Safety Appellate Tribunal/High Court might be filed to dispute the judgment.
Punishment for Failure to Comply
The following are the penalties for different types of noncompliance:
FSSAI registration renewal in India
While FSSAI registration or a food license in India is required to operate a food company, the license must be renewed on time. The FBO must apply for renewal 30 days before the license expires. The FSSAI has created an online application system called Food Licensing and Registration System (FLRS) so that FBOs may apply for licenses online.
The FLRS is used to issue licenses at the five Regional Offices listed below.
- Northern Region – New Delhi
- Eastern Region – Kolkata
- Guwahati in the North Eastern Region; Mumbai and Kerala in the Western Region
- Chennai, Southern Region
FAQ for FSSAI Registration With MyEfilings
1. FSSAI registration renewal in India.
In India, FSSAI registration or a food license must be renewed 30 days before the expiration date of the present license. You may provide with MyEfilings your current license number. MyEfilings will submit Form A and Form B to renew its FSSAI registration in India. This procedure might take between 30 and 40 days. According to government regulations, the renewal fee and the cost of a new license are the same.
2. Many industrial plants are spread throughout several states. Can I use a single license for the whole firm, or do I need to apply for individual licenses for each unit?
A central license is required for the company’s registered office. Manufacturing units situated in states of India, on the other hand, need distinct state licenses from each state.
3. Is an FBO required to have an FSSAI registration in India in order to sell imported foodstuffs in India?
Absolutely, that is necessary. FBO requires a central license from the Import Export Code address.
4. Is FSSAI registration required in India for 100% food export units?
Yes, FSSAI registration is required in India for both import and export units of food commodities.
5. Is it necessary to get an FSSAI registration in India only to manufacture food additives?
To produce, transport, distribute, or trade food additives, an FSSAI registration is required.
6. Do catering enterprises authorized by the Central Government in India also need FSSAI registration?
In India, all catering enterprises, whether for railroads, airports, or military, need FSSAI registration.
7. What is the required if there are many warehouses in the same area but owned by different entities?
If all of the warehouses are on the same campus, the owner may only apply for one license.