The First pre requisite to start a food business is obtaining a food licence from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for preparing, manufacturing , packaging, distributing and transporting food. The procedure for registration and licensing is governed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India Regulation, 2011. This certificate is mandatory for all the food business operators which means from the street vendors/hawker to a luxury hotel as it ensures the quality of food, purity, safe Food/product for consuming and various important factors that consumers rely on.
WHAT IS FSSAI ?
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a statutory institution that was founded by the Indian Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. The FSSAI has been established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which is a consolidating statue related to Food Safety and Standards Act in India. FSSAI is responsible for protecting and promoting public Health concern through the regulation and supervision of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
FSSAI mandates that food businesses obtain licenses or register with the authority based on the size and nature of their operations. This process ensures that food businesses comply with basic hygiene safe food and safety requirements. It also facilitates monitoring, surveillance, and enforcement of food safety standards .
Functions of FSSAI
FSSAI is responsible for various functions such as:-
- Setting Standards: FSSAI sets out the standard for food products which include composition, quality, safety and labeling. These standards are set out for ensuring the food products are safe to consume and meet the nutritional requirements of people.
- Licensing and Registration: It regulates the food industry by issuing license and registrations to food businesses which meet the prescribed standards. The license and registrations are mandate for all food businesses and conducts the regular inspections for compliance.
- Monitoring and Surveillance: FSSAI also monitors and conducts surveillance of the food products for ensuring their safety and quality. The organisation also crosschecks food related complaints and takes necessary action against non-compliance.
- Capacity Building: FSSAI gives training and capacity building programs to the food businesses, regulators and stakeholders for enhancing their food safety and standards.
Food Business Operators Who Require FSSAI Registration?
The Food Business Operators carry out the following kind of business shall have FFSAI Licence/Registration:-
- Petty retailers, Retail Shops, Snacks shops, Confectionery or Bakery shops, etc
- Temporary stalls, fixed stalls, or food premises
- Hawkers selling packaged or freshly prepared food
- Dairy Units, including Milk Chilling Units, Petty Milkmen, and Milk Vendors
- Slaughter house
- Fish Processing, Meat Processing
- All Food Manufacturing units that include Repacking food
- Vegetable Oil Processing Units
- Proprietary food and Novel food
- Cold/refrigerated storage facility
- Transporter of food products having several specialized vehicles like insulated refrigerated vans/wagons, milk tankers, food wagons, food trucks, etc
- Wholesalers, suppliers, distributors and marketers of food products
- Hotels, Restaurants and Bars
- Canteens and Cafeteria, including mid-day meal canteens
- Food Vending Agencies and Caterers
- Dhaba, PG provides food, a Banquet hall with food catering arrangements, Home Based Canteen and Food stalls at fairs or religious institutions.
- Importers and Exporters of food items and food ingredients
- E-Commerce food suppliers, including cloud kitchens
- Eligibility Criteria for Food Business Registration/License
- The document attached here provides eligibility criteria for Food Business Registration/License.
What does FSSAI Food License Registration mean?
Every person who is working in the food industry involved in the manufacturing, handling, distribution, import of food or sale of food products must have a FSSAI Registration/License. All food packets need to have a 14-digit registration/licence number and mark the FSSAI licence number. All these requirements are outlined in 2011 Food Safety and Standards Act.
Documents Required for FSSAI:
Food retailers are the main recipients for FSSAI registration. They have to submit FSSAI Licence Documents in order to have the FSSAI Licence. The relevant documents are required for FSSAI Licence are as follows:-
1.Photo ID of Food Business Operator.
- Documents such as Ration Card, Department Issued ID, PAN Card, Passport, Senior Citizen Card, Aadhar Card, Driving License, Voter ID Card.
3.Supporting documents as No Objection Certificate by Municipality/Panchayat, Health
Types of FSSAI Registration
Depending upon the type and size of food business and its annual turnover:-
- FSSAI Basic Licecse
- FSSAI State Licence
- Central FSSAI licence
- Basic Registration
If the turnover is less than 12 lakhs then the FBO shall get registered with Form A.
- State License
If annual turnover is between 12 to 20 crores then the FBO should apply for state licence Form B.
- Central License
f business is above 20 crores, then FBOs shall apply for Central Licence Form B.FSSAI Central License is mandatory for Ecommerce Website Owners and Import Export Business.
FSSAI License Eligibility
FBOs excluding small businesses shall acquire the FSSAI licence. Depending on size of the company, whether its huge or medium sized.
FBOs who are large manufacturers, importers of food, exporter of food products dealing in large scale food businesses have to acquire FSSAI registration from the central government and FBO with small to medium size manufacturing units, transporters, marketers, traders, etc. have to take FSSAI registration from state government.
To apply for a Central License, the FBO must have a turnover exceeding Rs. 20 crores and need to have operations in two or more states. All importers and exporters need to apply for this licence. The maximum tenure is 5 years and minimum is 1 year.
Validity of FSSAI License/Registration
The FSSAI License / Registration is issued for 1 to 5 years, as opted out by the Food Business Operator from date of issue of registration/licence. The FBOs should apply for renewal 30 days before the expiry of current request.
Procedure for New Application
After login to the portal, the system will display the dashboard; click on the License/Registration option in the left menu and select the Apply for New License/Registration option.
Step1: Select the State
Step2: Fill in all the mandatory fields as shown in application Form B
Step3: Fill in the communication details with caution and communication made by authority will be done on the mentioned contact details.
Step4: Upload the relevant set of documents. Pay the fee with available modes and click on apply.
Step5: After completing the fee payment, a receipt will be generated with a 17-digit reference number that can be used for future reference.
Procedure for Renewal
FBOs could submit a request to renew their existing issued licenses/registrations. This renewal application is to be submitted between 120 days and 30 days before the expiry of licence. As soon as FSSAI authorities issue the FSSAI certificate, the status changes to ‘Registration Certificate Issue’.
FSSAI Penalty and Offenses
Any person or food business operator, himself or by any person on there behalf who are required to obtain a licence, manufacturers, sells, stores,distributes or imports any article of food without any permit, they shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which can extend to six moinths and a fine extending to five lakh rupees.
In ensuring the availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption, the FSSAI Act prescribes many penalties for contravening.
Benefits of FSSAI Food Licence in India in promoting public health
Legal Compliance
The utmost benefit of acquiring FSSAI Licence is legal compliance. According to FSSAI, its mandatory for food businesses, whether they are manufacturer, trader or food restaurant have to obtain FSSAI Licence. So, by obtaining a Licence food businesses could avoid legal action and penalties for non compliance.
Consumer trust
Having a Food Licence, a food business demonstrate the consumers that it is committee for Food Safety, quality and health food consumers are increasing about the awareness of the importance of food safety and much likely to choose a food business that have a FSSAI Licence. This helps food businesses for building trust and loyalty to their customers.
Expansion opportunities
Obtaining a Licence also helps food businesses to increase their operations. For Ex:- Institutions, Schools and Hospitals which require suppliers to have FSSAI licence. It can open up new opportunities for food businesses.
Access to information
FSSAI also provides access to valuable informations and resources about food safety and quality. FSSAI gives regular updates and guidance on best of practice which help food businesses in improving their operations and staying up to date with latest industry developments.
Brand reputation
On Acquiring a FSSAI licence, food businesses enhance the brand reputation. In longrun a FSSAI licence acts as a proof to the consumers, suppliers and all other stakeholders which the food business maintains the quality and safety. Also better brand reputation leads to increase in customer loyalty and higher sales.
Reduced risk
A FSSAI licence helps in reducing risk of foodborne illness and public health treat, infectious diseases, unsafe food and other food safety issues. The FSSAI sets strict standards for safety, quality and regularly inspecting food business for ensuring that these standards are met. So, by upon compliance to these standards food businesses can decrease the risk of food safety issues and protect the customers.
Consumer awareness
Businesses acquire the trust of clients by using the FSSAI logo which are set down science-based principles. For facilitating health and food safety. Updated guidelines are introduced which are compatible to international standards and act as evidence proof for proof studies. These policies act as a chance of Increasing the business.
Recruiting Investors and Sponsors for Company:
Sponsors and Investors are much likely to be interested in companies which have a solid reputation and better credibility such as a valid food licence.
The Role of Food Licence in Promoting Public Health
For legally certifying food processing units and businesses which deal in food production. The FSSAI checks the chemical substances used in the food processing units and ensures it is safe for consuming and safe to the health.
Adulteration has far reaching effects which impact the well being of people. Food licence are of utmost importance for keeping a check of food security on the food quality, This licence helps in curbing accusations of food adulteration and using cheap and unsafe ingredients.
- Implying scientific standards in food products for the safety of the individuals. FSSAI licence assures the customers that respective food business is of high quality. Generally while conducting the food inspection, quality verification is carried out by FSSAI.
- It also looks on the manufacturing of Food, Storage, Distribution, Food Supply and Import to protect the health, safety and diet before this licence is issued to the food outlet, strict verification is done, in which all the ingredient are checked. This ensures that the food is suitable for consumption.
- It is responsible in creating awareness in the country about food safety and other issues. Obtaining this FSSAI licence brings credibility to business. Most outlets advertise the licence which helps in gathering more potential customers. It also brings more investors and partners in the business. Thus, the reliability of business is leveraged when the business acquires the FSSAI Licence.
What Happens When You Do Not Apply for an FSSAI License?
If any business does not apply for FSSAI Licence. In that case such consequences could occur:-
- Legal Action: Conducting an food business without a FSSAI license is not valid and result in fine or imprisonment.
- Loss of Credibility: It can happen that customers do not trust your business as the necessary food certification is not present.
- Health Risks: In Absence of a FSSAI Licence your food may not meet the necessary standards and could pose health risk to the customers.
- Loss of Business: Customer could also use the competitor’s product as it has FSSAI licence which could lead to a loss of business.
So, by applying for a FSSAI licence is important for ensuring that the food business operates lefgally and is safe and of high quality.
Conclusion
While concluding there are many benefits of applying to a food licence, As by acquiring a licence food businesses could ensure legal compliance, build up consumer trust, access new business opportunities, gain valuable information, enhance the brand reputation and reduce the risk of food safety. So, by obtaining a FSSAI licence it ensures the essential growth and success for any food business.
