The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the highest body of the Indian government, has the authority to enforce regulations pertaining to food safety and standardization and issuing the FSSAI License. It is mandatory for each and every food-related business usually known as food business administrators {FBOs} to acquire FSSAI License except if excluded by regulation.
FSSAI is an independent body laid out under the Service of Wellbeing and Family Government assistance, Administration of India. It was established to oversee and regulate Indian food hygiene and safety standards.
It is in charge of establishing scientific standards for food products and enforcing regulations regarding their production, storage, distribution, sale, and import. Additionally, it offers training programs for food handlers and manufacturers and raises public awareness of food safety and hygiene.
Through this article, we will learn about the requirements of acquiring a food license as per the eligibility criteria of your food business.
Let’s first read about the FSSAI.
About FSSAI
Food safety in India is managed and supervised by FSSAI, the Indian authority that issues food licenses. This authority is responsible for protecting, maintaining, and promoting public health.
FSSAI or Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is the sole and apex administrative body answerable for keeping up with and regulating sanitation in our country. It was set-up in 2006 by the authorization of the Food Safety and Standardization Act {FSS Act} around the same time. Based on their food business’s turnover and other requirements, FBOs are granted a Basic Registration, State License, or Central License under the FSS Act. FSSAI Registration or FSSAI License is a 14 digit code number obligatory to be obtained prior to beginning any food business.
Now that we got the idea about FSSAI, let’s read further about Eligibility Criteria for Basic Registration.
Eligibility Criteria for Basic Registration
In this, the food businesses which have the turnover upto 12 lakhs are qualified for acquiring a basic FSSAI License
State License Eligibility
The below mentioned business operators can apply for FSSAI State License if they have the turnover of more than Rs 12 lakhs to Rs 20 crores
- Proprietary Foods
- Restaurants
- Meat Processing Units
- Retailers and Packers
- Slaughtering Units
- Dairy Units, including Milk Chilling Units.
- Vegetable Oil Processing Units and the Units producing vegetable oil including solvent extraction and refineries, including Oil Expeller Unit
- Hotels
Central License Eligibility
The below mentioned business operators can apply for FSSAI Central License if they have the turnover more than 20 crores:-
- Dairy Units, including Milk Chilling Units
- Slaughtering Units
- Proprietary Foods
- Food Processing Units that involves retailers and repackers
- Vegetable Oil Processing Units and manufacturing units that produce vegetable oil with the process of solvent extraction and refineries, including Oil Expeller Unit
We got a brief idea about different licenses, now is the time to know about the documents that are required for acquiring those licenses.
Benefits of FSSAI License Registration
Legal Compliance
Compliance with the law is one of the many advantages of holding a FSSAI license. This is the most obvious advantage. The FSSAI mandates that all food businesses, regardless of whether they are restaurants, traders, or manufacturers, obtain a license. Consequently, by getting a permit, food organizations can keep away from legitimate activity and punishments for resistance.
Trust of Consumers
A food business earns the trust of customers by demonstrating to them that it is committed to the quality and safety of its products by obtaining a food license. Customers are more likely to choose a food business with a FSSAI license because they are more aware of the significance of food safety. This can help food organizations to construct trust and faithfulness with their clients.
Opportunities for Expansion
Getting a FSSAI license can likewise help food organizations to grow their tasks. Food businesses, for instance, that hold a license from the FSSAI are able to sell their products to government agencies, schools, and hospitals, all of which require suppliers to hold licenses from the FSSAI. Food businesses may be able to benefit from these new business opportunities.
Documents needed for Basic Registration
The below mentioned documents are needed for basic registration
- Latest Passport-sized photograph of the applicant
- Aadhaar Card)
- PAN Card
- Address Proof-
- Property papers Copy (if owned)
- Rent Agreement Copy and NOC letter from the Landlord (if rented)
Documents Required for State License
- Form-B duly filled and signed by the Proprietor
- Proof of possession of premises
- Blueprint or layout of the area location
- Partnership affidavit of Proprietorship
- List and equipment related details
- Contact details of the Directors.
- NOC and Copy of License from the producer
- List of food products that have to be manufactured
- Food Safety Management System Plan or Certificate
- Proprietor’s Photo ID and Address Proof authorized by the Indian Government.
- Authority letter with address and concerned person’s name
Documents Needed for Central FSSAI license
- List of the types of machinery and equipment
- Form-B duly filled and signed by the proprietor or the owner
- Blueprint or layout of the area location
- Proof of possession of premises
- Directors Contact Detail
- Proprietor’s Photo Id and Address Proof
- Analysis of water report from an authorized/ public health laboratory
- In a case of units producing mineral or carbonated water from a recognized/public health, then a pesticide residue report of water will be needed.
- Food Safety Management System plan or certificate
- Import Export Code issued by DGFT for importers
- Copy of the license from the producer
- NOC/PA issued by FSSAI
- FSSAI Declaration Form
- The following information, if applicable
- Source of milk
- Source of meat and meat processing units
- Supporting proof of turnover
- NOC issued the municipality and local body
- Supporting evidence of turnover for vehicles, if suitable
- MCA Incorporation Certificate, if applicable
- Certificate authorized by the Ministry of Tourism
Let’s talk about the Validity of FSSAI License
In India, an FSSAI License is valid for a maximum of five years and a minimum of one year.
In addition, an FSSAI License or Registration must be renewed thirty days prior to its expiration. You can utilize Structure An or Structure B, whichever is relevant for food license. Likewise, every FBO whose license or registration has lapsed is liable to pay Rs. 100 daily.
In some cases, your FSSAI License can be canceled as well, lets see what are those situations:-
- Food poisoning outbreaks are linked to the spread of the disease.
- Consumer complaints when a customer’s health is seriously harmed.
- Interrupting an officer at a food business operator’s non-compliant premises.
- Not complying with a critical or other legal notice without a reasonable excuse.
On the same hand, there are some of the business operators who are exempted from acquiring the FSSAI license.
- Itinerant vendor
- Small-scale
- Cottage FBO
- Very small food business operators
- A temporary stallholder
- Hawker
- Food businesses having a turnover below Rs. 12 Lakhs
Penalties and Offences Under FSSAI License
Under the following cases a Food Business Operator is liable for a penalty for the violation of the provisions of the FSS Act;
- General provisions wrt offenses
- General rules relating to the fine
- Selling food, that is not upto the quality standards as asked by the customer
- Selling substandard food
- Distributing misbranded food
- Giving out misleading advertisement
- Dealing with food containing extraneous matter
- Failing to comply with the directions of Food Safety Officer
- Processing food in unhygienic or unsanitary ways
- Possessing adulterant
- Involving with unsafe food
- Interfering with seized food items
- Giving false information
- Obstructing a Food Safety Officer
- Operating a business without a relevant food license
- Compensation in case of the injury or death of the consumer
- Offenses by firms
- Contravening the provisions of FSS Act in case of import of food articles
Non-Compliance Penalty
| Particulars | Fine | |
| 1 | Food quality not in compliance with act | 2 Lakh Petty manufacturer – 25,000/- |
| 2 | Sub-standard food | 5 Lakh |
| 3 | Misbranded Food | 3 Lakh |
| 4 | False description or Misleading advertisement or | 10 Lakh |
| 5 | Extraneous matter in food | 1 Lakh |
| 6 | If failed to comply with the orders of Food safety officer | 2 Lakh |
| 7 | Unhygienic manufacture or processing | 1 Lakh |
Conclusion
A FSSAI license, in effect, serves as evidence to customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders that the food industry upholds quality and safety. As needs be, areas of strength for a standing can prompt expanded clients unwaveringly and higher deals.
Startupfino can help you get FSSAI License which can further assist with diminishing the gamble of foodborne disease and other sanitation issues. This is due to the fact that the FSSAI regularly inspects food businesses to ensure that these standards are being met and establishes stringent standards for food safety and quality. Thus, by following these guidelines with Startupfino, food organizations can diminish the gamble of sanitation issues and safeguard their clients.
