Everything You need to know about the FSSAI License

 

The Food Safety Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) is responsible for regulating the food business in India. The FSSAI was established in 2006 to monitor the hygiene, quality, safety, and rules of the food being produced, stored, transported, imported or sold. Anyone who wants to run a food business in India must have an FSSAI license before starting their business. Otherwise, they have to pay high penalties. Food license ensures that every FBO is registered/licensed with FSSAI which makes it easier for FSSAI to maintain records of licenses and related compliances such as product testing, annual returns, recalls, food safety audits etc. and provides a medium for FBOs to ensure all compliances and work as per FSSAI guidelines of licensing and compliances which in turn ensures the consumer that food is safe for consumption. Different licensing options are available based on the requirements, category, turnover of the food business. FoSCoS portal sends regular alerts to FBOs regarding various compliances through email and SMS. FBOs will be able to track the compliances attached with their licenses/registration from time to time and can avoid penalties if any, which makes the licenses even more beneficial.

Types of FSSAI license:

There are three types of FSSAI licenses in India to run a food business which depend on the type, size of the food business, and its total turnover.

FSSAI Registration: It is needed for those FBOs having an annual turnover of less than twelve lakh rupees.

FSSAI State License: It is needed for those FBOs having an annual turnover of more than twelve lakh rupees and less than twenty crore rupees.

FSSAI Central License: It is needed for those FBOs having an annual turnover of more than twenty crore rupees.

 

Type of License	Turnover	Registration form	Applicants	Validity	Cost
Registration	The business turnover is less than 12 lakhs.	Registration Form A	Hawkers and vendors fall under this category.	Max 5 years and minimum one year	Rs. 100
FSSAI State license	The business turnover is more than 12 lakhs and less than 20 crores	Registration Form B.	Restaurants, food retailers, hotels, and home-based food businesses.	Max 5 years and minimum one year	Rs. 2500 to 5000
FSSAI Central license	The business turnover is over 20 crores	Registration Form B.	It is mainly required by the company’s headquarters and if other facilities run in different states.	Max 5 years and minimum one year	Rs. 7500

Certain food businesses such as Import, Export, Novel Food, Proprietary Food, Food supplements manufacture, sale etc. mandatorily require Central FSSAI license irrespective of production capacity or turnover.

Documents required:

When a food business owner decides to go for an FSSAI license, first, they need to understand in which category their business will fall and then apply for a license accordingly. 

The following documents are required for FSSAI Registration:

Photo

Government issued Photo ID such as AADHAAR, PAN, Voter ID etc.

Proof of Address of Businesses activity (if address is other than as mentioned in Photo ID Card)

The following documents are required for FSSAI State license and Central license:

Photo ID and address proof of business owner/director/authorized signatory

Constitution certificate of business such as partnership deed, incorporation certificate, establishments license of the shop, etc.

Possession proof of business facility such as an agreement of rent, utility bills, etc.

Plan of food safety management system

List of food products that would be manufactured/processed/stored/distributed.

NOC by municipality or panchayat, health NOC called supporting documents (if required)

Statement of ingredients and additives for each product in case of supplements or proprietary food.

Processing unit plan consisting of area and dimension along with area-wise allocation.

A complete list of Directors/Partners’ names, addresses, contact details, and photo IDs.

List of equipment and machinery used along with the name, number, and capacity.

Letter of the authority of the nominated responsible person from the manufacturer.

Water analysis report

Source of raw material for milk, meat, etc.

Recall plan (if applicable)

100% export orientation unit form from the ministry of commerce.

NOC from FSSAI, if applicable

Code document of IE from DGFT

Form IX

Turnover supporting document

Case specific documents as applicable to the importer/manufacturer/distributor etc. depending upon the kind of business.

 

Consequences of non-compliance –

Carrying out any food business activity without FSSAI license, on expired, suspended or canceled License/Registration is an unlawful activity and attracts penal actions under FSS Act, 2006. Not abiding by the conditions of the license also attracts license suspension, cancellation and penalties.

 

Conclusion –