For any kind of business that includes food whether it is cloud kitchen or any other form of food business FSSAI License Registration is compulsory. If any food business is running without completing the requisite of the licensing the business owner may face the penalty. The laws related to food safety are very strict and FSSAI makes sure that these laws will be implemented properly in the food industry. Food industry has many kinds of food businesses out of which one is cloud kitchen. The current blog will explore the FSSAI Registration for cloud kitchen in detail. If you are the owner of a cold kitchen or thinking about starting one you must go through this blog till its end. This will not only help you out to know about the FSSAI Registration for cloud kitchen but also let you know regarding many aspects of the same. Hence one must refer to this blog.
What do you Mean by Cloud Kitchen?
Cloud kitchens are the newly evolved food business in India. These are the food businesses which are not having dine in facilities like cafes, restaurants etc. Even if they do not entertain customers directly. They serve food through online platforms. Here the food is prepared and delivered through a mediator to the customers at their doorstep. Such businesses become popular during lockdown. Before that people were not that aware about this concept. Cloud kitchens are also popular by the name of ghost kitchens or virtual kitchens or dark kitchens. During the pandemic many virtual things were evolved out of which one is cloud kitchens. In order to run them freely in the food industry one must take FSSAI Registration for cloud kitchen .
Meaning and Type of FSSAI Registration for Cloud Kitchen?
FSSAI Registration is a kind of consent which is obtained from the government by the business owner in order to do food business in the food industry. Also we can say through this registration business owner provides information regarding his or her food business to the government. This makes compliance with the food safety law which is called FSS Act of 2006. Under the food safety laws FSSAI license is of three types which has been given below:
- Central FSSAI License which is for the big firms whose turnover is more than Rs. 20 crores
- State FSSAI License is mostly applicable on those businesses which are mid sized and having turnover up to Rs. 20 Crores not more than that
- Last is Basic FSSAI License which is for small businesses
Essentials of the FSSAI Registration for Cloud Kitchen
Some of the key Essentials of the FSSAI Registration for cloud kitchen are mentioned below:
- Ensure your cloud kitchen meets the eligibility criteria for FSSAI registration.
- Ensure timely renewal of your FSSAI license to maintain compliance with food safety regulations. FSSAI licenses are typically valid for 1 to 5 years.
- Maintain hygiene and adhere to food safety standards in your cloud kitchen to ensure ongoing compliance with FSSAI regulations.
- Inform FSSAI about any changes in your cloud kitchen’s operations, such as a change in address or contact details, to keep the records updated.
- Display the FSSAI logo and license number prominently within your cloud kitchen, as required by regulations.
- Create awareness regarding food safety
- Must comply with the regular compliances given under the FSS Act of 2006
What is the Registration Process of FSSAI for Cloud Kitchens?
In order to get FSSAI Registration for cloud kitchen follow the steps given below:
- Visit the official FSSAI website and fill out the registration form for cloud kitchens through the Food Licensing and Registration System (FLRS).
- Gather necessary documents, including identity proof, address proof, a passport-sized photograph, and proof of turnover.
- Upload the required documents on the FLRS portal along with the completed application form.
- Select the appropriate license type based on the size and nature of your cloud kitchen—options include Basic Registration, State License, or Central License.
- Pay the applicable registration fees based on the chosen license type. The fees of the license for the cloud kitchen may vary depending on the scale of your virtual or ghost kitchen.
- FSSAI officials will review your application and may conduct inspections to verify compliance with food safety standards.
- Upon successful verification, the FSSAI will issue the registration certificate or license for your cloud kitchen.
Documents Required for the FSSAI Registration for cloud kitchen
Some of the key documents required for the FSSAI Registration for cloud kitchen are given below, before stating the registration process one must collect the following documents:
- Provide a valid government-issued identity proof, such as Aadhar card, PAN card, or voter ID.
- Submit an address proof document, which may be a utility bill in case the office is your own property, rental agreement if it is on rent, or any other valid proof of the cloud kitchen’s location.
- Include a recent passport-sized photograph of the cloud kitchen owner or proprietor.
- Furnish documents indicating the turnover of the cloud kitchen, which may include sales records, invoices, or an affidavit if any
- Provide a list of all partners or directors associated with the cloud kitchen, along with their identification details.
- Complete and submit the FSSAI declaration form, affirming the accuracy of the information provided.
- For larger cloud kitchens, develop and present a Food Safety Management System (FSMS) plan.
- Include a copy of the registration of the business address proof, such as the Shop and Establishment certificate or GST registration.
- A letter of authority from the owner of the cloud kitchen should be included if the application is being submitted by a designated representative.
- If the cloud kitchen operates as a company, submit the Certificate of Incorporation.
- Provide a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the property owner or landlord where the cloud kitchen is situated.
- For state and central licenses, submit the Form B Declaration stating the appointment of a food safety supervisor.
Conclusion
Obtaining FSSAI registration for cloud kitchen is a crucial step for any food business in India. It ensures compliance with food safety laws. Cloud kitchens, also known as ghost kitchens, operate primarily through online platforms, making FSSAI registration essential to provide a safe and hygienic dining experience to customers. The registration process involves multiple steps like filling out the application, providing necessary documents, and selecting the appropriate license type based on the cloud kitchen’s scale. It is imperative for cloud kitchen owners to maintain hygiene, adhere to food safety standards, and promptly renew their FSSAI license to continue operations legally. This not only ensures regulatory compliance but also builds trust among customers by displaying the FSSAI logo prominently.
