If we look at the top 10 businesses in India, the food business is one of them. It is the fastest-growing business in the industry. There are a lot of small and big food businesses in India, and all of them are governed by food safety laws that were compiled in 2006; a single food safety law came in the same year, known as the FSS Act or Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006. Among the food businesses, the food transport business is one; it is very much required to transport any kind of food from one place to another. Food transport is of various types, like refrigerated transportation of food, milk tankers, vans, wagons, etc. The current write up will discuss the food transport business in detail with every aspect of this business.
What is the Food Transportation Business?
In the food industry, there are different types of food businesses. Different owners are running food businesses of different types. Transportation of food from one place to another place comes under the category of food transportation business. But this business includes different types of transport. For example, some food needs a cold atmosphere, and some is good with normal temperatures; for the transportation of milk, milk tankers are required. In the food business transportation, there are four types of transport, which are given below:
- Transportation of food through sea route
- Transportation of business through railways
- Transportation of business through airways
- Transportation of business through road
Key Factors of Starting a Food Transport Business in India
There are various things that need to be taken care of before starting a food transportation business in India. Some of the key requirements of starting a food transport business are given below:
Get Right Equipment
The food transport business in itself is a big industry, thus, before starting this kind of business, you need to make certain important decisions. One who is thinking about entering into this business needs to confirm first which type of food he or she is going to transport. And after that, as per the category of food, one must take the equipment. It is very crucial to get the right equipment for the food transportation business.
Leverage of E-commerce
We are living in the era of technology; everybody is using technology and growing their business with 2X speed. So, if you are entering into this transportation business of food, you must make your website first and enter into the E-Commerce business. This will not only help you to stand among the competitors but also make your business developed and successful.
Get an App
Nowadays, apps play a very important role in the growth of a business; hence, you must have an app so that through that app, people can take your services. Today, everyone has phones, and having an app will give them direct access to your business, which will lead your business towards success. There, with the help of a professional, make an app for your business.
Build Networking
Networking is very important for the future of your business. If you have a small assignment, make sure you will deliver that assignment with all due care. Tomorrow, that small assignment can be converted into a big one. Networking plays a great role in getting you new work and assignments.
Obtain FSSAI License
As per the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006, every business directly or indirectly related to food needs to take an FSSAI Licence. This license ensures the quality of food, and through this, the competent authority can keep an eye on the food business that one is running. Under this law, there are three types of licenses that one needs to take. Which license will be applicable on which business depends on the turnover as well as the type of food business one is running. Given below are the list of license and their criteria with respect to the food transport business:
| Type of License | Criteria of License | Fees of License |
| General FSSAI License | Having a single vehicle and the turnover of the business is less than and up to Rs. 12 lakhs | Rs. 100 + professional fees and other inclusive charges |
| State FSSAI License | Having up to 100 vehicles and a turnover limit of the business needs to be more than Rs. 12 lakhs and can extend up to Rs. 30 crores/annum, not more than that | Rs. 2000 + professional fees and other inclusive charges |
| Central FSSAI License | Having more than 100 vehicles and a turnover is more than Rs. 30 crores/annum. | Rs. 7500 + professional fees and other inclusive charges |
Process of Obtaining FSSAI License
Given below is the process of obtaining an FSSAI license:
- Open the FSSAI government portal, and on the home screen, an option of “Apply for license/registration” is given; click on the same option
- After that, three boxes of red, green and blue colors will open on your screen. Click on the box with the red color option.
- Select the state in which you are going to start your business and also choose the category of business.
- Select the option available on your screen that is “ Click here to apply for registration for all businesses.”
- Form A will open, complete and submit it.
- Upload all the required documents.
- Make payment
- Verification of application by the department
- After successful verification, your license will be issued
Documents Required for Food License
In the food transport business, a food license is mandatory. For this, license documents are very important. Hence, one must have the following documents to get the license to run a food transportation business:
- Form A and Form B will be needed. That must be complete and duly signed.
- Basic documents like identification proof, address proof, etc., of the directors, partners, proprietor or authorized signatories of the entity
- One recent photograph of the directors, partners, proprietor or authorized signatories of the entity will be mandatory to complete the process of obtaining a food license.
- Business address proof as per the registered address of the business will be needed.
- List of food one is going to transport under its food transport business
- A certificate of no objection needs to be taken from the local municipality corporation
Is it Mandatory for Food Transport Businesses to get an FSSAI License?
In one simple word, the answer is yes, it is mandatory for food transport business owners to get a food license to legally run a food transportation business. This is because if they are caught running their business without having this license, then a heavy penalty or fine can be imposed upon them under the food safety laws. Penalties and fines given under the FSS Act of 2006 are very hectic and are enough to collapse your business. Thus even before starting the business, one is suggested to complete the procedure of license. The food transportation business includes food directly, and there are various factors that can affect the food in food transportation; therefore the government has made it mandatory to take a food license for the transportation of food.
Conclusion
Starting a food transport business in India involves crucial considerations such as selecting the appropriate equipment for specific food types, embracing technology with e-commerce integration and a dedicated app, building a robust network, and maintaining a strong social media presence to attract clients and foster growth. Legal compliance is paramount, requiring the acquisition of FSSAI licenses based on business size and turnover, with a detailed application process that includes documentation of key personnel, business address verification, and a comprehensive list of transported food items. This multifaceted approach ensures that the food transportation business aligns with food safety regulations, setting the stage for success in this rapidly growing industry.
