FSSAI Registration in India

If you are planning to start a food business, then you need an fssai registration in India. It is also termed as food license where you get fssai certificate in India. FSSAI stands for ‘Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’ who is the body that facilitates the FSSAI registration in India and issues FSSAI certificate or Food License. FSSAI is an autonomous body working under the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India to basically regulate and monitor the food business in India.

Established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act),  the main objectives of FSSAI are to consolidate the statutes related with food industry. FSSAI ensures that food products undergo quality checks and is safe. These regulations help in curtailing adulteration and sale of sub-standard food products.

FSSAI registration for food businesses in India result in the grant of FSSAI license to the “Food Business Operators” (FBOs) which ensures that the such business obeys the laid down rules and regulations required for running food business, in the interest of ultimate consumers i.e the people at large in the country.

Requirement of FSSAI registration in India

Any business that manufactures, processes, stores, sells or distributes food products must have FSSAI Registration or License. There are different FSSAI Registration and FSSAI License in terms of the size and nature of the business.

FSSAI registration in India or Food license is a 14-digit number which is required to be printed on the packing of the packaged food. This 14 digit FSSAI license number outlines the details about is the registration of food businessalong with state code, its year of enrollment, quantity of enrolling master and the permit number of the packaged food producer. The complete the guidelines and procedure along with requirements of FSSAI registration in India leading to Food license are regulated by Food Safety & Standards Regulations, 2011 (Licensing and Registration of food Business).

FSSAI Registration/License Procedure in India

There are three types of FSSAI registration/license in India. It is based on the volume of business and the size of the premises. Depending upon the turnover, installed capacity, location, applicant’s premises the applicant can apply for any of the following three –

• Central License – Large Food Business
• State License – Medium Food Business
• Registration – Petty Food Business

FSSAI License or Registration requirements in India

• Large manufacturers of food, importers-exporters and entities dealing in large-scale sales or distribution of food products have to obtain FSSAI registration in India from central government while small to medium sized food manufacturing units, marketers, transporters, traders, etc., need to obtain FSSAI registration from the state government.
• The FBOs with the turnover between Rs 12 lakh to Rs 20 crore need to apply for State License. The FBOs having a turnover exceeding Rs. 20 crores and operating in two or more states must apply for central license.
• All food importers and exporters need to apply for central license.

Other conditions for obtaining license are: Food manufacturing units having daily capacity of 2MT, dairy units handling milk up to 5000 liters per day, 3 star hotels and above, re-packers, relabelling units, canteens, clubs and all catering businesses irrespective of their turnover must have FSSAI registration in India. The maximum and minimum tenure of the license is 5 years and 1 year respectively.

Documents Required For Obtaining the Central FSSAI registration in India:

1. Duly completed and signed “Form-B”.
2. The locational plan of food processing unit clearly mentioning dimensions along with area allocated for operation.
3. List of Directors / Partners / Proprietor and their address, contact details, and photo ID.
4. Name, numbers and installed capacity of machinery and equipment.
5. List of category of food to be manufactured.
6. Authority letter from the manufacturer to the nominated person responsible for the unit. His name and address.
7. Analysis report of Water to be used for food preparation in the unit.
8. Sources of raw material for milk, meat etc.
9. Safety recall plan wherever applicable
10. Ministry of Commerce Certificate for 100% EOU
11. NOC / PA document issued by FSSAI
12. IE code document issued by DGFT
13. Form IX
14. Certificate from Ministry of Tourism
15. Proof of possession of the premises.
16. Affidavit of proprietorship / Partnership deed.
17. NOC and copy of License from the manufacturer.
18. Food safety management system plan and certificate.
19. NOC from the municipality or local body.
20. Supporting documents for proof of turnover and transportation
21. Declaration form

Documentation for obtaining the State License or FSSAI Registration

1. Duly completed and signed “Form-B”.
2. Location plan of the processing unit clearly showing the dimensions and operation-wise area allocation.
3. List of Directors / Partners / Proprietor and their address, contact details, and photo ID.
4. Name, numbers and installed capacity of machinery and equipment.
5. List of category of food to be manufactured.
6. Authority letter from the manufacturer to the nominated person responsible for the unit. His name and address.
7. Water analysis report to be used in the unit.
8. Proof of possession of the premises.
9. Affidavit of proprietorship / Partnership deed.
10. NOC and copy of License from the manufacturer.
11. Copy of certificate from Coop Act 1861/Multi state Coop Act 2002 in case of cooperative society.
12. Food safety management system plan and certificate.

Different forms and documents are required for conversion, renewal, and modification of the FSSAI license.

FSSAI Registration Requirement in India

FSSAI Registration is a basic license and is must for all the FBOs involved in the small-scale food business. This category covers the following businesses:

1. FBOs with an annual turnover of up to Rs. 12 lakh.
2. Petty retailer selling food products.
3. Any FBO who manufactures and/or sells any food product by himself.
4. Food sales done by the temporary stall holder.
5. Individuals distributing food in religious or social gathering (except a caterer).
6. Cottage or small-scale industries dealing in the food business.
7. Having food production capacity (other than milk and meat) of up to 100 kg/litre per day.
8. Procurement, handling and collection of milk of up to 500 litres per day.
9. Operating a slaughtering house with the capacity of 2 large animals or 10 small animals or 50 poultry birds per day or less

Procedure for Obtaining FSSAI Registration in India

1. FSSAI registration in India is initiated by submitting application known as Form A to the Food and Safety Department.
2. The department may accept or reject the application within 7 days from the date of receipt of the application. The rejection has to be intimated in writing to the applicant.
3. If the department has accepted the application, then the department issues a registration certificate carrying the registration number along with the photograph of the applicant.
4. Certificate of registration must be prominently displayed at the business place during business hours.

The common documents required for all three Basic, State and Central Registration are passport size photo and a photo ID proof.

For State and Central FSSAI license, the following additional documents will be needed:

• A completed and signed Form B
• Address proof
• List of food category and products
• Layout plan of the proposed location
• List of equipment
• NOC from municipality
• Incorporation certificate
• List of directors/partners
• MOA and AOA
• Water test report
• Import Export Code

 Benefits of Procuring FSSAI Registration in India

An FSSAI registration in India or Food license in India provides the food business legal benefits, builds goodwill, ensures food safety, creates consumer awareness, and assists in business expansion. It also helps to regulate, storage, manufacture, distribution and sale of import food.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Food safety officers conduct the inspection of the facility and check the level of compliances with the regulations using a checklist and mark it as:

1. Compliance (C)
2. Non-compliance (NC)
3. Partial compliance (PC)
4. Not applicable/Not observed (NA)

Based on the above results, as per Section 32 of the FSS Act, 2006 the food safety officer might issue improvement notice if required. If the FBO still fails to comply with the notice, the officer may cancel his license after issuing a show cause notice to the FBO. Any FBO aggrieved by such notice may appeal to the State Commissioner of Food Safety. The decision thereon can be challenged by making an appeal to the Food Safety Appellate Tribunal / High Court.

Penalty for Non- Compliance

Listed is the penalty for various type of non-compliance:

Renewal of FSSAI registration in India

Since FSSAI registration or Food license in India is must to run the food business, the license must be renewed timely. The FBO must apply for renewal 30 days prior to the expiry of the license. An online application facility called Food Licensing and Registration System (FLRS) has been introduced by the FSSAI so that and FBO can apply online for the licences.

The FLRS is utilized in five following Regional Offices for the issue of licenses. They are:

• Northern Region – New Delhi
• Eastern Region – Kolkata
• North Eastern Region – Guwahati
• Western Region – Mumbai and Kerala
• Southern Region – Chennai

FAQs for FSSAI registration in India

Renewal of FSSAI registration in India

FSSAI registration or Food license in India must be renewed 30 days before the expiry date of current license. You may give Seedup, your present license number. In order to renew FSSAI registration in India, Seedup will submit Form A and Form B. This process may take 30 and 40 days. As per the government rules, the renewal fee and the cost of a new license are same

Multiple manufacturing units are located in different states. Can a common license for the company work or I have to apply for separate licenses for each unit?

The registered office of the company requires a central license. On the other hand manufacturing units located in states also need individual state licenses from each state.

Does and FBO require an FSSAI registration in India for selling the imported foodstuff in India?

Yes, it is required. FBO needs a central license from the address registered in Import Export Code.

Is it compulsory for 100% food export units to have FSSAI registration in India?

Yes, for both import or export units of food items, FSSAI registration in India is compulsory.

Is an FSSAI registration in India compulsory for manufacturing of food additives alone?

Yes, an FSSAI registration is compulsory in order to manufacture, transport, distribute or trade food additives.

Do catering businesses authorised by the Central Government also require FSSAI registration in India?

All catering establishments, be it working for railways, airport or defense etc. require this FSSAI registration in India.

What is the requirement is there are multiple warehouses, within the same locality but belonging to separate entities?

If all the warehouses are located in one campus, the owner can apply for a single license.

How to renew FSSAI license or FSSAI registration in India?

At Seedup, we provide FSSAI license registration in India and renewal services. Refer to the following link.

What is the procedure to get a restaurant license from FSSAI?

At Seedup, we have streamlined this process so that you can do it fast and easily. You have to fill an online form and mail the required documents. We’ll intimate you about the status of your license within 20 to 40 working days.