FSSAI License: An Ultimate Guide on this Concept

The FSSAI license is the acronym form of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. Every FBO (Food Business Operator) must acquire the FSSAI Licensee. The term FBO (Food Business Operator) includes Producers, Manufacturers, Storage, Retailers, Distributor, Seller, Transport, and they all are obligated for acquiring FSSAI License prior starting any business concerning to food items in the country.

Further, the FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) is an autonomous organization established under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. It was formulated under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Furthermore, in India, the FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) Registration is the mandatory compliance for all types of FBO (food business operators).

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India issue a 14-digit registration number to FBO (food business operators) to form accountability and responsibility for the quality standards of food items. Further, the requirement for obtaining the FSSAI registration is bifurcated into the FSSAI license category and basic FSSAI registration category. It is significant to note that both the license category and registration category are distinct from each other on the basis of the size and nature of the business operations. The concerned parties are expected to fulfill the compliance required prior to commencing its business operations.

Who should obtain the FSSAI Registration?

The following are the individuals and entities eligible for obtaining the FSSAI (The Food Safety and Standards Authority) Registration or License –

1. All types of Food Producers and Manufacturers
2. Food Packaging unit or the Storage unit
3. All the Food Business Operators whether involved in Wholesale, Trading or Online
4. Hotels, caterers or the raw material supplier
5. Both the Importer and Exporter of the Food Products
6. Both Transporters and Distributors
7. Retailers of the Food Product

What are the Types of FSSAI Registration?

The food business operators (FBO) will be issued a 14 digit number by the FSSAI (The Food Safety and Standards Authority) after the successful completion of the process for FSSAI registration. Further, the concept of FSSAI Registration has been bifurcated into three categories on the basis of the criteria of annual business turnover.

Furthermore, there is another criterion provided for obtaining the FSSAI registration or license. This criterion is on the basis of the production capacity of the concerned food business unit no matter how much is the annual turnover of the business. Furthermore, the Food Processing Units, Meat Processing Units, and the Slaughtering Units are given their FSSAI Registration on the basis of the latter criterion.

1. Basic FSSAI Registration - The Basic FSSAI Registration is needed by those food business operators (FBO) who deal with petty food. Further, this registration is also recognized as the Basic FSSAI License. Furthermore, the annual turnover of such business operators should not exceed the prescribed limit of Rs. 12 lakhs per annum. Lastly, the examples of this category include a petty retailer, itinerant vendor or temporary stall holder, hawker, etc.
2. FSSAI State License - For obtaining the FSSAI state license, the annual business turnover of the Food Business Operator (FBO) must be between rupees twelve lakhs to rupees twenty crores. Further, the limit prescribed for the annual business turnover is the same for an FSSAI State Manufacturing license or an FSSAI State Trading license.
3. FSSAI Central License – In case the annual business turnover is above rupees twenty crores, then obtaining FSSAI Central License is a must for the concerned business. The example for this category includes manufacturing or storage or trading beyond certain prescribed limited as specified by the law.

What are the Documents Required for obtaining Basic FSSAI Registration?

1. Photo identity of the concerned FBO (Food Business Operator)
2.  PAN card number of the concerned FBO (Food Business Operator)
3. No-Objection Certificate (NOC) by the Panchayat or Municipality
4. Health No-Objection Certificate (NOC)
5. Declaration regarding the Business details in Form-A
6. Proof of the possession regarding the business premises used
7. Certificate of Incorporation or Article of Association of the company or the Partnership

What are the Documents Required for obtaining FSSAI State License?

1. Duly signed and completed Form B
2.  Layout Plan or Blueprint of the processing unit (applicable only for manufacturing and processing unit)
3. List of the Partners or Executive Members or Proprietors or Directors together with the contact details and identity proof (applicable only in case of companies)
4. Details of the machinery used for the concerned operations (applicable only for manufacturing and processing unit)
5. List of the food categories scheduled to be manufactured (applicable only for manufacturing and processing unit)
6. Authority letter from the concerned manufacturer in favor of the person nominated with the authority
7. Report of analysis regarding the water used in the manufacturing process of food items (applicable only for manufacturing and processing unit)
8.  Proof of the possession for the premises used
9. Form IX
10. Affidavit of Proprietorship or Partnership Deed or Certificate of Incorporation or the Memorandum of Association (MOA)
11. Copy of the certificate acquired under the Cooperative Societies Act (applicable only for the cooperative societies)
12.  No-Objection Certificate (NOC) and the copy of license from the concerned manufacturer (applicable only for the repackers and relablers)
13. Food Safety Management System and Recall Plan (if applicable)
14. Source of meat and milk (if applicable)
15. No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the local or municipality body
16. Certificate issued by the Ministry of Tourism (mandatory only for the hotels)

What are the Documents Required for obtaining FSSAI Central License?

1. Duly signed and completed Form B
2.  Layout Plan or Blueprint of the processing unit (applicable only for manufacturing and processing unit)
3. List of the Partners or Executive Members or Proprietors or Directors together with the contact details and identity proof (applicable only in case of companies)
4. Details of the machinery used for the concerned operations (applicable only for manufacturing and processing unit)
5. List of the food categories scheduled to be manufactured (applicable only for manufacturing and processing unit)
6. Authority letter from the concerned manufacturer in favor of the person nominated with the authority
7. Report of analysis regarding the water used in the manufacturing process of food items (applicable only for manufacturing and processing unit)
8.  Proof of the possession for the premises used
9. Form IX
10. Affidavit of Proprietorship or Partnership Deed or Certificate of Incorporation or the Memorandum of Association (MOA)
11. Copy of the certificate acquired under the Cooperative Societies Act (applicable only for the cooperative societies)
12.  No-Objection Certificate (NOC) and the copy of license from the concerned manufacturer (applicable only for the repackers and relablers)
13. Food Safety Management System and Recall Plan (if applicable)
14. Source of meat and milk (if applicable)
15. No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the local or municipality body
16. Certificate issued by the Ministry of Tourism (mandatory only for the hotels)
17. Declaration Form
18. Certificate from the Ministry of Commerce for 100 percent EOU
19. Supporting documentary proof for the turnover
20. No-Objection Certificate (NOC) or PA document issued by the FSSAI
21. Document for the Import Export Code issued by the Director-General Foreign Trade (required only for the importers and exporters)

What is the Procedure Prescribed for obtaining the Basic FSSAI Registration?

1. For obtaining this registration, the applicant needs to apply to the food and Safety Department.
2. Thereafter, the applicant is required to submit the application in Form A
3. If the application submitted is accepted or rejected by the authority concerned, it shall be communicated by the department within seven days from the date when the concerned application was submitted. Further, the intimation must be intimated in writing.
4. The department issues the certificate for registration after accepting the concerned application. Further, the certificate issued shall contain both the registration number and the applicant’s photo.
5. At the time of dealing with the food business, the FBO (Food Business Operator) should notably display the registration certificate at the place of business.

What is the Procedure Prescribed for obtaining the FSSAI License?

1. To acquire an FSSAI License, the FBO (Food Business Operator) shall make an online application to the Licensing Authority by way of the FSSAI online registration process.
2. This application is submitted in Form B as the food license application.
3. The application submitted should be attached with the self-declaration, affidavit, and the annexure as applicable.
4. This FSSAI license is issued for a period of one to five years as per time limit requested by the FBO (Food Business Operator).
5. Higher the tenure for which FSSAI license is acquired the higher would be its application fees.
6. The license can be renewed just by making an application for renewal of FSSAI license.

What is the Statutory Fee Prescribed for obtaining the FSSAI Registration?

1. Fees for the Basic FSSAI Registration is rupees hundred per annum
2. Fees for the FSSAI State License are rupees two thousand to five thousand per annum. It is significant to mention that this prescribed fee may vary as per the State regulation. For knowing the actual fees, the applicant can make an inquiry from the FSSAI License Consultant.
3. Fees for the FSSAI Central License are rupees seven thousand five hundred per annum.