FSSAI or we can say Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is the authority which controls and regulates the food businesses in India. This authority has been established under the FSS Act of 2006. Its work is to regulate the food businesses and control the quality of the food products in the market. Basic misconception regarding the FSSAI License is that it has been given to those who are in the food businesses only. No it’s not like that. Anything which will be directly or indirectly consumed by the human or public at large needs consent of the government to sell the same in the market. Some of such products include medicines, transportation of food products, proteins, nutritious foods etc. the permission of the government has been given through three licenses. These licenses include general FSSAI license, State FSSAI License and Central FSSAI License. There is a pre-set turnover for FSSAI on the basis of which these licenses have been given.
What is FSSAI License?
Under the Food Safety and Standards Act or FSS Act of 2006, a license has been given. This license is specifically for those businesses which are in the food business directly or indirectly. Food here means anything that will be consumed by the people at large like medicines, energy drinks., spices etc. As per the food safety law for the selling, distribution, manufacturing as well as production of the food in the Indian market, food owners need to take permission from the government.
After checking everything regarding the applicant and his or her food business, the government either rejects the application or grants permission to do the same business in the Indian market. The permission or consent of the government is given in a form of license and the same is known as FSSAI License. These are three types of such licenses which have been differentiated on the basis of the turnover for FSSAI.
Types of FSSAI Licenses
As mentioned in the above heading as well there are a total three types of FSSAI licenses under the FSS Act of 2006. They are applicable on different types of businesses, on the basis of the activity of the business as well as turnover for FSSAI, it has been decided which license is applicable on which business. Turnover of FSSAI is not the only deciding factor. There are certain food businesses on which only the central food license is applicable. Turnover of FSSAI against such business does not even matter. One such business is the export-import business of food. The three types of FSSAI licenses are mentioned below:
- General FSSAI License is applicable on those businesses which are petty in nature. Some of the examples of petty food businesses are golgappa bala, hawkers, vendors, fruit sellers, vegetable sellers etc.
- State FSSAI License is applicable on those businesses which are mostly having more than Rs. 12 lakhs of turnover. This turnover for FSSAI is not the only deciding factor. There are other things as well which helps in deciding whether this state license will be applicable on a particular business or not. For example in the milk production business, production of milk per day decides the applicability of the license
- Central FSSAI License is applicable on giant food businesses like haldirams, Hyatt hotels, etc.
Bifurcation of Turnover for FSSAI License
Under the food safety laws, bifurcation for turnover of FSSAI has been mentioned. Although it is not the only deciding factor, it is an important one. Hence bifurcation of the turnover of FSSAI is really important to understand. Given below is the table based on the turnover for FSSAI.
| Type of License | Turnover for FSSAI |
| General FSSAI License | In case the turnover for any food business is less than Rs. 12 lakhs, then general food license or basic food registration will be applicable on such businesses. These businesses are working on a smaller level. The best illustration for this kind of business can be a tea stall. |
| State FSSAI License | If the turnover for the food business is more that Rs. 12 lakhs and it goes up to Rs. 20 crores then state food license will be applicable. These businesses are the businesses which are on the developing stage in the market. Some of the examples of such businesses are well established restaurants, hotels, food factories etc. This state license is also of two types on the basis of the registration fees. |
| Central FSSAI License | The last is the central food license. This is for those food businesses whose turnover is more than Rs. 20 crores. Here the turnover for FSSAI itself explains that this license is applicable on big and well established food businesses. These are the developed food businesses. The example of such food businesses are haldirams, nature’s ice cream, etc. |
Benefits of FSSAI Licensing
Some of the key benefits of the FSSAI License are mentioned below for the reference of those who are in the food industry:
- Completion of legal compliance under the food safety laws
- Saves you from fines and penalties
- Can do business freely without fear
- Reliability and credibility in the market among the consumers
- Attracts consumers towards the business
- Quality and healthy food has been supplied in the market ‘Government can keep eyes on the business
- Working under the supervision of the government
- Public health safety is maintained
- Hygiene and clean food market
Conclusion
Food Safety and Standards Authority that has been established under FSS Act of 2006, plays a crucial role in regulating food businesses in the country. It takes care of the quality of food which has been supplied in the market. Also it ensures that food products intended for public consumption are safe to consume. For serving the same purpose three types of license has been given by the government to do food business. Each applicable to different scales of operations related to the food.
These three licenses are based on the turnover for FSSAI. Obtaining an FSSAI license not only ensures legal compliance but also promotes trust and reliability among consumers, upholds public health and hygiene standards, and makes sure that the businesses operate without any kind of fear. In essence, these licenses are essential for maintaining the integrity and safety of India’s food market while fostering consumer confidence and the delivery of quality, healthy food products.
