FSSAI Registration in India - The Easy Process

What is FSSAI?

FSSAI (Food Safety and Standard Authority of India) is an authorized body that issues a license allowing an institution to commercially sell food.  According to the FSSAI official website[1], any food business operator that is in the business of manufacturing, processing, storing, distributing and sale of food must mandatorily apply for and have an FSSAI Registration. The scope of FSSAI is much beyond granting certificates to the restaurants. Apart from granting legal certificates, FSSAI also is a benchmark for the quality of food.

Table of Content:

• License Type
• Registration
• Who can apply for an FSSAI license?
• License Procedure
• Why is the FSSAI License required?
• Documents Required for obtaining State/Central FSSAI Registration
• FSSAI online registration in India - A detailed process
• FSSAI offline registration in India
• Fees Involved in making each application
• License Validity
• Renewal of each FSSAI License/ Registration
• Why an FSSAI License is an absolute necessity
• Benefits of acquiring FSSAI Registration/ License
• Guidelines to be followed for FSSAI License Number
• Consequences of Non-Compliance
• The penalty for the Non- Compliance
• Frequently Asked Questions

License Type

Licenses that are granted by FSSAI are of three types:

 1. Basic FSSAI License (Petty Food Business)

Basic FSSAI License is mandatory for petty food business operators. It is for the business whose turnover does not exceed the limit of Rs. 12 lac per annum. People who come under this category are almost the petty retailer, itinerant vendors, hawkers, or temporary stallholders.

2. State FSSAI License

A State License is granted by FSSAI when the food business has a turnover between 12 to 20 crores per annum. But there is an exception created that all-grain, cereal and, pulses milling units must have state license irrespective of turnover.

3. Central FSSAI License

A Central License is granted by FSSAI when food Businesses have an Annual Turnover of more than 20 crores. When a person has a food operation in more than two states, it needs to be registered at the central level {See Regulation 2.1.2 (3) of Schedule 1 under the FSS (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011 covers Food Business.

Registration

Food business operators obtain an FSSAI registration by submitting Form A application. After the submission of the FSSAI registration application, the registration should be done or be rejected in writing within 7 days, in writing, or receipt of an application by the authority. If it is done, then a certificate is granted which contains the details and the photo of the applicant. The certificate is granted and must be displayed at the place of business.

Who can apply for an FSSAI license?

The persons who are involved in the business of dairy units which include milk chilling units equipped to handle and process, vegetable oil processing units, slaughtering units, meat processing units, food processing units that include relabelled and repackers, Proprietary foods, 100% export oriented units are entitled for FSSAI Central and State License as required.

License Procedure

Any business which does not qualify as a petty food business requires a license. License is of two types:

1. Central license

2. State license

For getting a Central License or State License, it has to be seen whether the person is eligible to get the license. If the person is found to be eligible, they will be directed to the Central Licensing page where you have to fill out the application shown according to the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006. The data which is provided to the department must be correct and appropriate. The person should write the generic names of the product and not the brand name.

Then the form must be downloaded and the person has to upload the form by using an electronic signature. In the end, the person has to mention the period of time they want a license for.

Why is the FSSAI License required?

License is required to ensure the safety and quality of food products supplied or manufactured by various establishments in India.

Documents Required for obtaining State/Central FSSAI Registration

The documents required for the FSSAI registration are:

1. Form B should be filled and signed by the proprietor;

2. Blueprint of the facility where the food business will be carried out specifying the area dimensions;

3. If it is a registered company, a list of all the directors with their names and addresses;

4. Names and lists of all the machinery used in the facility with capacity details;

5. Photo of FBO issued by the Government;

6. In the case of manufacturers, a list of the food items proposed to be manufactured in the facility;

7. Proof of possession of the facility;

8. Letter of authorization issued by the person nominated by the manufacturer for inspections, collection of samples, packing and dispatch;

9. Safety report of the water used in the preparation of the food items;

10. Partnership Deed/Certificate of Incorporation/Articles of Association establishing the constitution of the firm; 

11. In case of Cooperatives, a copy of the certificate obtained under Multi-State Cooperative Societies ACT, 2002;

12. In the case of re-labelers, a NOC from the manufacturer;

13. In case of a milk dairy, source of milk or procurement plan;

14. In the case of meat shops, source of raw meat and meat processing plants;

15. NOCs from the local body or municipalities and from the State Pollution Control Board, etc.

FSSAI online registration in India - A detailed process

Following is the detailed process for the FSSAI Registration,

STEP 1: Check Eligibility

STEP 2: Select the type of license or registration

STEP 3: Sign Up on Food licensing & Registration system and apply online for license/Registration.

STEP 4: Fill FSSAI food license registration form A on FSSAI website

STEP 5: Upload the supporting documents.

STEP 6: Pay the fees. (Online in case of a central license, for state license/ registration payment mode, maybe online or offline via challan, etc.)

STEP 7: You need to file Form A (in case of petty food manufacturer) and Form B (in case of State’s Central license) with the government. Print the respective form and sign the same. After scanning this form upload it and acknowledgment will be generated.

STEP 8: The government may send back your application for edits – if you fail to respond with 15 days of the application, then your application will be rejected.

STEP 9: The government department will take 30-50 working days to completely review your application and approve the same. You can check your FSSAI license status also online.

FSSAI offline registration in India

FSSAI also provides for offline registration for those who are comfortable with it. Get an FSSAI registration application, within 15 days of submission of application take a print out of the duly filled application and attach the demand draft of the amount and submit to the state authority.

For more information, visit https://foodlicensing.fssai.gov.in/how to apply.html

Fees Involved in making each application

The license is issued for a maximum period of five years.

The time period involved in the processing of each application

A basic FSSAI license can be issued in 7-10 working days. The Central or State license can take a time period of 30 days.

The FSSAI registration process is a time-consuming process and may take around 2 months.

License Validity

License is issued for a maximum period of five years and a minimum of one year.

Renewal of each FSSAI License/ Registration

FSSAI State license can be renewed for a period of 1 year or 5 years depending upon each case. The FSSAI license renewal must be done 30 days before the expiry of the previous license. The license gets renewed upon payment of the required fees. A late renewal fee of 100 INR per day applies for each day of delay post the expiration date.

FSSAI license can be renewed online or offline,

• Online Renewal of the FSSAI License

Firstly, you need to create a User ID and password that would be used to log in. This user id would be applicable only for 30 days. Then the renewal form must be filled. After filling the form, you will get a unique 17 digit number that can be used to track the status of the renewal. This process takes 30-60 days to be completed.

• Offline Renewal of the FSSAI License

You need first fill out the FSSAI form A, B, and C that is publicly available on the website. Submit a self-attested declaration of ownership of the business. The FBO will conduct a check and ensure that all the details provided are in order. When all the processes are done properly (including the inspection) and the authority is satisfied, the license would be issued in a period of 30-60 days.

Why an FSSAI License is an absolute necessity

FSSAI's main objectives are:

1. To lay down quality standards for food products.

2. To legislate food production, processing, distribution, import, and sale.

3. Facilitating food safety.

Therefore, it is an absolute necessity.

Benefits of acquiring FSSAI Registration/ License

1. It creates consumer awareness. In this age, consumers have become more alert and informative about the quality of the products.

2. There are certain standards that have to be met in order to get the license which is beneficial for the common people. This is a legal requirement that has to be fulfilled or it attracts a penalty.

3. The FSSAI logo gives an edge over other food products which do not have the logo.

4. Business expansion can be done easily if the business has the FSSAI License.

Guidelines to be followed for FSSAI License Number

• The business operators must put the logo and the 14 digit FSSAI License number[2] provided by the authority on the packaged product.

• When the business operators import a product, they must show the 14 digit FSSAI License number along with the name and address of the importer.

• The measure of the letters and the numerals of the license number must be recognized in Food Safety and Standard (Packaging and Labeling) Regulation, 2011.

• Showing the FSSAI logo and number on the item reflects that the food business operator has a legitimate permit under the FSSAI Act, 2006.

• The permit number must be put on the addresses of the various units on the mark of the item.

• A food business operator is permitted to put this logo and number only until the license is valid.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Any person who is registered and who got a license under the FSSAI has to follow all the rules and regulations under the Food Safety and Regulation Act, 2006. The food safety officer generally conducts the inspection of the business and checks whether the checklist has been complied with. Based on this list, the safety officer marks the category on which the business falls, as to whether it has complied with the checklist or not and then marks it as non-complied.

Then the safety officer may issue an improvement notice, wherever required as per Section 32 of the Food Safety Standard and Regulation Act, 2006 and if the business operator does not comply with the notice, the officer has the power to cancel the license after giving them an opportunity to show cause.

Any person aggrieved by the cancellation of the license may appeal to the State Tribunal or High Court.

The penalty for the Non- Compliance

Frequently Asked Question

For multiple manufacturing units in a different state, one license is required or multiple?

For multiple manufacturing units in different states, multiple licenses are required. FSSAI license is a premise-based license. Multiple kinds of activities carried out at the same premise can be endorsed in the single FSSAI license but when it’s in different states, then one license is not enough.

Is FSSAI License required to import food and sell in India?

Yes, the FSSAI license required to import food and sell it in India.

Is FSSAI License is required for a catering business authorized by the Central Government?

Yes,  FSSAI License is mandatory for the catering business authorized by the Central Government.

[1] https://foodlicensing.fssai.gov.in/PDF/FBO_User_Manual_Ver3.0.pdf

[2] https://foodlicensing.fssai.gov.in/PDF/FAQN.pdf