In the current time the most common business in the market is food business. It is starting on every level like some food businesses are very giant and some are petty. But the scope of growth and development on both the levels is the same. Food businesses are kind of businesses which can be started with very little investment and resources. Hence they are started in great numbers which increases the competition in the market. In this competition there are high chances of food adulteration in the market in order to gain profit. To check any kind of adulteration in the food market, the government came up with the FSSAI Act in 2006. Under this act FSSAI Licensing is mandatory for all the food businesses in India. Through FSSAI License the government keeps eyes on the work of the different activities of the food businesses and make sure only the good quality food will be supplied in the market.
Meaning of FSSAI Licensing
In India to keep the food market clean and healthy there is a law called Food Safety and Standard Act of 2006. This law makes sure that all the food businesses in the Indian market are working as per the rules and regulations. And they are maintaining the quality which they are supposed to maintain. To do all this the government needs to have a record of these food businesses. Hence under the above mentioned law the government made FSSAI Licensing compulsory for all types of food businesses in the market.
The basic idea behind FSSAI Licensing is that before starting any kind of business a business owner needs to obtain permission from the government in the form of FSSAI License. After the proper inspection this license has been issued to the applicant. In this way the government gets all the records of the food business and can easily keep an eye on their activities. For this purpose the government had established an authority to look into all this. This authority is known as Food Safety and Standard Authority of India.
Types of FSSAI License in India
There are mainly three types of food licenses in India. These three types include general FSSAI registration, State FSSAI License and Central FSSAI License. All three types of licenses have different purposes. Like general FSSAI License is for the petty food business owners who are working on a smaller level. For example vendors, hawkers, vegetable sellers etc. Generally under general food registration businesses whose turnover is less than Rs. 12 lakhs falls.
State FSSAI Licenses are the second kind of license. This license is issued for those businesses whose turnover is more than Rs. 12 lakhs. The most difficult license under the FSSAI Licensing is the Central FSSAI License. It is compulsory for the giant businesses whose turnover is very high. This license is only issued after the proper inspection of the food business as well as the food business owner.
How to Obtain FSSAI License?
Whether you are a small food business owner or you are having a multi million dollar food business, FSSAI Licensing is compulsory to both. If you are also a food business owner and wants to apply for FSSAI License follow the steps given below:
Pre Licensing Formalities
- Determine the type of food license that is applicable on your business.
- Ensure that your business entity complies with the FSSAI regulations.
- Set up a valid food business in place before applying for the license.
- Gather all the necessary documents required to complete the food license registration process
Food Licensing Process
- Visit the official FSSAI website
- Create an account on the same website to move forward. Without creating account one cannot move forward with the application
- Select the relevant form for your type of license from the Form A, Form B, or Form C.
- Complete the online application form with accurate information.
- Make sure to double-check the details
- Upload all the required documents mentioned in the form.
- Ensure that all the documents are clear and legible.
- Pay the applicable fee for the FSSAI license.
- Submit the application online.
- Simple verification in case of general food license.
- But for State and Central licenses, an inspection of your food business premises may be conducted by the FSSAI authorities.
- After the valid verification FSSAI licensing authority will issue the license
Post Licensing Formalities
Once you will receive the FSSAI License make sure you will save the login credentials of the same. Next important post FSSAI Licensing formality is to display the food license at your business place. Publication of this license in the business premises is compulsory as per the law. Hence one cannot ignore it.
Documents required for FSSAI Licensing
Some of the important or significant documents without which FSSAI License is not possible are mentioned below:
- Business registration documents are required for completing the registration process for the FSSAI License
- Business registration related documents include partnership deed, certificate of incorporation etc
- Proof of the address of the business premises
- Business premises address proof can either be a utility bill or rent agreement
- Utility bills include gas bill, electricity bill , telephone bill etc.
- List of food products and their categories
- Food safety management plan
- NOC from the local municipal authority
- Identity and address proof of the proprietor/partner/director
- Passport-size photographs which are clear and recent one
Who can Obtain FSSAI License?
This license is applicable on all types of food businesses in India. Some of the food businesses on which this license is applicable are:
- Manufacturing food businesses
- Dairy processing units
- Oil processing units
- Food retailers
- Food distributors
- Food wholesalers
- Caterers
- Hotels, restaurants and cafes
- Hawkers, vendors, vegetable stalls, fruit stalls etc
- Tea and other related food stalls
- Food vending machine business owners
- Food transportation business owners
Entities that can Obtain Food License in India
There are many types of entities in India that can take FSSAI License. These entities may be any of the following:
- Private Limited Company
- One Person Company
- Limited Liability Partnership Firm
- Proprietorship Firm
- Small company
- Government companies
- Partnership Firms
- Public Limited Company
Conclusion
FSSAI Licensing, mandated by the Food Safety laws in India. It is a crucial requirement for all food businesses. It ensures that businesses in the food industry adhere to regulations and maintain the quality and safety of their products. Obtaining an FSSAI license involves pre-licensing formalities like ensuring regulatory compliance and gathering necessary documents, completing an online application on the official FSSAI website, and undergoing inspections for State and Central licenses. Once obtained, the license must be prominently displayed at the business premises. It applies to various food-related entities, including manufacturers, retailers, caterers, and more, and can be acquired by different types of business entities, such as private limited companies, partnerships, sole proprietorships, and others.
