FSSAI registration or Food Licence acquisition aims to those individuals who want to establish food related businesses such as restaurants, bakeries, hotels or food stalls in India. It extends to the individuals who are engaged in multiple facets of food industry which include food manufacturing, transportation, distribution and storage.
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) operates autonomously under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, its primary aim is to ensure the strict quality assessment of food products, which prevent food adulteration and the sale of inferior quality food items. FSSAI is responsible for registering and licensing nationwide and formulating the regulatory framework which governs food businesses in India.
REGISTRATION UNDER FSSAI:-
FSSAI registration or Food Licence is a mandatory requirement for all the individuals or entities engaged in the food related activities which includes manufacturing, processing, storing, distributing and the sale of food products in India. The type of the FSSAI registration/ Food Licence needs differs based upon the scale and nature of business. FBOs(Food Business Operators) require the appropriate registration or Licence depending on the business size.
FSSAI provides a unique 14-digit number which need to be printed/displayed on the food packaging. This contains the information about the state of the origin and the producer permit. The main goal of this registration process is to enhance the accountability of the FBOs which ensures the quality of the food products. Food Safety & standards (Licensing and registration of food business) regulations, 2011 govern the licensing and registration process.
The FSSAI’s Regulations:-
Among the important rules & Quality standards that the central FSSAI has implemented to ensure food safety and standards in India are-
- Regulations from 2011 on Food Safety and Standards (Licencing and Registration of Food Businesses): The process for applying for licences and registrations for food businesses in India is outlined in these regulations.
- Regulations for 2011’s Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling): To guarantee consumer safety, these regulations establish the requirements for food product packaging and labelling.
- Regulations governing food safety and standards (food additives and food products standards), 2011: To guarantee that they are safe for eating, these rules set the requirements for numerous food products and their additives.
- Regulations governing food safety and standards (contaminants, toxins, and residues), 2011: To safeguard the safety of food items, these regulations set maximum limits for pollutants, poisons, and residues.
Who needs to be FSSAI registered?
- FBOs with an annual turnover of less than Rs. 12 lakh per annum, between Rs. 12 lakh and Rs. 20 crores per annum, or greater than Rs. 20 crores per annum include wholesalers, distributors, suppliers, retailers, food vending businesses, hawkers, clubs, canteens, Dhabas, hotels, restaurants, and storage facilities.
- Small producers producing on their own food ingredients.
- A temporary market offering food items.
- Other than a caterer, businesses that offer meals during social or religious gatherings.
- Home-based businesses/Food catering arrangements that produce food
- Units/Kinds of Business that produce or refine vegetable oil using the solvent extraction process and refineries that include an oil expeller system. with a maximum daily output of 100 kg/liter (without milk products or meat).
- Dairy unit which are involved in Milk procurement, collection, handling, and chilling dairy systems with a dairy products solids capacity of little more than 500 liters of milk per day or 2.5 metric tonnes
- Meat shops/Chicken shops: A maximum daily killing capacity of two large animals, ten small animals, or fifty fowl/birds per day/meat products/fish products.
- Units that produce and refine vegetable oil, like oil expellers, use the solvent extraction process. has an annual revenue range of Rs. 12 lakh to Rs lakhs to Rs 20 crores per annum.
- 5-Star Hotel /Restaurants within Hotels/Food premises with star ratings of four stars or more or more than five stars.
- Large Scale Food Businesses Storage facilities with annual capacities of less than 50,000 metric tonnes or greater than 50,000 metric tonnes.
- Caterers/Eating House Licence employed by the central government or linked organisations, such as the railroads, airlines, airports, seaports, and the military, etc.
- All food manufacturing and processing facilities, barring those that mill more than 2 metric tonnes of grains, pulses, or cereals per day, including re-packers.
- All FBOs/e-commerce food suppliers engaged in the production of a food product, additive, or ingredient, raw material employing a novel technique or combination of techniques whose safety has not yet been certified by the FSSAI. Or perhaps they don’t have a track record of safe usage.
Different FSSAI Licences:-
Businesses that engage in food-related and proprietary food activities must apply for a food Licence, which comes in a variety of forms depending on the type of activity, the size of the business, and the revenue. Following are the several types of FSSAI food Licences–
- Basic Registration with FSSAI:-
Food business operators (FBOs) with small or new firms must register with the FSSAI. Their annual revenue is less than Rs. 12 lakh. - State FSSAI Licence:-
The FBOs with medium-sized operations must have a State FSSAI Licence. They generate more than Rs. 12 lakh or up to Rs. 20 crores per annum in revenue each year. Depending on your company’s sale graph productivity, the state Licence may thereafter be upgraded to a central Licence. - FSSAI Central certification:-
For FBOs with a substantial business yearly revenue of more than Rs. 20 crores per annum, the Central FSSAI Licence is applicable. Additionally, it is necessary if you need to serve government facilities or import or export food items.
The application process for an FSSAI Licence is online and relatively straightforward. However, it is important to note that the specific requirements for each type of Licence vary. It is therefore important to carefully review the FSSAI website and regulations before applying for a Licence.
Registration Eligibility with FSSAI:-
- Operators of food businesses with yearly sales of more than Rs. 12 lakh
- applicants who solely sell food products
- SSIs operating in the food industry
- Food service providers who produce and sell their own food
Documents needed to apply for an FSSAI food Licence:-
The following documents are required to apply for a food Licence:
- PAN card of the business
- Aadhaar card of the proprietor/partner/director
- Address proof of the business premises
- Passport size photograph of the proprietor/partner/director
- Form FSSAI-A (Declaration by the FBO)
- Form FSSAI-B (Application for Registration or Licence)
- Other documents, depending on the type of food business
PROCEDURE FOR REGISTRATION:-
The registration procedure for obtaining an FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) registration or Licence can vary based on the type and scale of your food business. Here is a general overview of the registration procedure:
1. Determine Your Eligibility:
Determine the appropriate type of FSSAI registration or Licence you need based on your business’s turnover and scale (Basic, State, or Central Licence).
2. Obtain the Application Form:
You need to obtain the specific FSSAI registration form based on your eligibility:
- Form A: For Basic Registration
- Form B: For State Licence and Central Licence
3. Complete the Application Form:
Fill out the application form with accurate and complete information about your food business. This typically includes details about your business name, address, type of food products, ownership, and other relevant information.
4. Gather Supporting Documents:
- Depending on the type of registration or Licence you are applying for, you will need to provide various supporting documents such as:
- Identity and address proof of the proprietor/partners/directors
- Food safety management plan (for State and Central Licence)
- Details of food products and their manufacturing process
- Business entity proof (e.g., incorporation certificate, partnership deed)
- Layout plan of the premises (for manufacturing units)
- NOC from the municipality or Panchayat (if required)
5. Submit the Application:
Submit the completed application form along with the supporting documents to the relevant FSSAI office in your state or region.
6. Payment of Fees:
Pay the requisite fee for your FSSAI registration or Licence. The fee amount depends on the type and duration of the Licence.
7. Inspection:
FSSAI authorities may conduct an inspection of your food premises to verify compliance with food safety standards. They will communicate with you to schedule this inspection.
8. Issuance of Certificate:
Once your application is approved and compliance is confirmed, the FSSAI will issue your registration or Licence certificate. This certificate will contain a unique FSSAI registration or Licence number.
9. Display the FSSAI Logo:
After obtaining the FSSAI registration or Licence, it is mandatory to display the FSSAI logo and your registration/Licence number on your food product labels or at your food business premises.
Duration of the FSSAI Licence:-
The FSSAI licence is valid for one to five years. A late fee of Rs. 100 must be paid Food business owners must submit an appeal for the renewal of the licence within 30 days and before it expires, per FSSAI guidelines. Each additional day that an FSSAI renewal application is received after the expiration date requires payment of a Rs. 100 late fee. Therefore, it is crucial for all food business owners to monitor and ensure that their FSSAI licence is current at all times.
Licence Number for FSSAI:-
Food business owners are required by FSSAI regulations to submit an appeal for the renewal of the Licence within 30 days of the Licence’s expiration date. A late fess of Rs.100 should be paid for many units, the manufacturer or packer, the brand owner’s Licence and the FSSAI’s Logo must be written on the food package’s label. The address of various units must be listed on the label with the FSSAI licensing number.
Name, Address, FSSAI Licensing Number and insignia must be clearly on display. These could be pre-printed on the label or placed with a sticker marking customs clearance.
As of Now FSSAI Licence number and logo are related to regulation 2.6.1 of Food and Safety Standards. The logo of FSSAI on a Food Product suggests that the FBO has Licence under the 2006 Food Safety and Standards Act.
Renewal of FSSAI Licensing:-
The granted current Licence has a one-year expiration date. To prevent fines, the FSSAI renewal procedure should be taken into consideration as soon as feasible. According to FSSAI’s published requirements, the food safety registration must be renewed within 30 days of the Licence expiring and before.
Documentation Required:
A declaration from the Proprietor or Director stating that they will abide by the most recent FSSAI Rules and Regulations Officials from the FSSAI will review the information provided on the application. They might even pay a visit, ask questions, and inspect the machinery and equipment. It will keep an eye on the effectiveness and continued relevance of the food safety management system to make sure it is still relevant. It will look into whether the forms’ documentation and information are legitimate.
If the inquiries made by the FSSAI authorities were successful. The FSSAI will renew your Licence after five years.
Non-Compliance:-
The FSSAI has given food safety official power to examine the working conditions and methods used by owners and employees.
After that, they use a checklist to assign a level based on how closely the food business adheres to the rules established by the Food Authority. The Official enters a level for the FBO based on the checklist as-
- Conformity (C),
- Conformity in part (PC),
- Failure to comply (NC), or
- Not observed/Not applicable (NA).
The Food Official may also publish an Improvement Notice outlining the areas or levels in need of improvement.
This show cause notice specifies a hearing date. By this date the FBO must demonstrate, supported by documentation proof, as why it was unable to carry out revisions.
Penalty for Failure to Comply
- Running a food business without obtaining an FSSAI certificate is illegal and is subject to punishment. For this, the FBO risked jail time and a fine of up to Rs. 5 lakh.
- Businesses that sell misbranded products, whether they do so directly or through agents acting on their behalf, may face fines of up to Rs. 3 lakh.
Depending on the circumstances, the punishment mentioned in the aforementioned points may change. Depending on the injury caused, the fine may go up to Rs. 5 lakh in extreme situations when death results from consuming the specific food item.
Conclusion
An FSSAI Licence is a mandatory requirement for all food businesses in India, regardless of size or turnover. Obtaining a food Licence is a mandatory business requirement for any food business in India. Applying for an FSSAI Licence for food enterprises in India has many advantages and it makes sure that a product is safe to consume
Its rules and duties have contributed to an improvement in the populace’s general health and wellbeing. As food enterprises, it is our duty to adhere to FSSAI standards and make sure that our clients receive safe, high-quality food items.
