Overview

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 which is a consolidating statute related to food safety and regulation in India. (FSSAI) is an autonomous body established under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. The FSSAI appoints food safety authorities on the state level. This act also sets up the formulation and enforcement of food safety standards in India. FSSAI license or FSSAI registration is mandatory any food business. Therefore, any food manufacturing or processing or packaging or distributing entity is now required to obtain a FSSAI License or Registration.

ADVANTAGES

A food license issued by the FSSAI is regarded as an authorization which is required to operate a food-related business in India. It ensures good quality of food. On the other hand, an FBO can receive number of government benefits and can be discharged from non-compliances.
Moreover, some of the entrepreneurs observe the importance of FSSAI license in positive manner this license can be used as an effective marketing tool with the purpose of boosting up your business which can ultimately help in promoting sales. Some of the advantages of getting an FSSAI License are:

Using the FSSAI Logo

As soon as you get the FSSAI License, you can use the FSSAI logo on your menu cards and pamphlets to publicise your food’s superior excellencein comparison to others. Moreover, it gives you an advantage over the many food operators who are not having the food license. Hence, all the packaged food is required to have an FSSAI number. The logo of FSSAI is seen as a mark of validity and assurance to the final consumers. In fact, majority of the customers these days want to consume food products speciallywhich are having the license. It helps you in developing a brand name.

Consumer awareness

In this age of information, the consumers have now become more alert and educated for the kind and quality of food which they are consuming. With the increase in the number of diet food products and healthy lifestyle, consumer wants to be assure that the food is not of low quality. More so after the recent controversy with Maggi, consumers have started to take the food safety standard seriously. Thus, food products and packages which has FSSAI license can give you an added advantage of increase in the customer base.

Expansion of Business

When you think of expanding your food business or outlets, you can do so with the use of your FSSAI license. The license will help you to establish your reputation in the market and to grow your business in a new direction with ease. Moreover, the license helps in getting bank loans and funding which might be required for expansion.

Legal Advantage

Entrepreneurs and businessesthink that getting an FSSAI license is atime consuming, expensive, and an inconvenient process. Hence, they try to avoid getting the license. But, in reality, the process is not so burdensomeas the team of Mylegalbusiness can help you get the license with ease. The actual cost of getting an FSSAI License is much less than what you have to pay as penalties in case of non-compliance and not getting an FSSAI license. Hence, it is highly advisable to obtain a FSSAI License even before officially launching your business.

It is believed that there are more than 5 crore food businesses in the country while only 33 lakhs of them are registered with FSSAI. The importance of the quality standard is ever-growing and it is beneficial in the short as well as in the long run for your business.

Who should obtain FSSAI License?

Every Food Business Operator needs to get licensed/registered under the FSSAI.

  • FSSAI Registration is required by small businesses whose annual turnover is less than Rs.12 lakhs per year.
  • All food businesses exceeding the annual turnover limit of Rs 12 lakhs per year require a FSSAI License.

FSSAI State License and Central License are issued to food businesses based on the basis of their size of operation which may be medium scale or large-scale. Usually, large manufacturers, exporters, importers, etc. obtain Central Licence whereas mid-sized entities like transporters, traders, etc. need State Licence. The Food License is mandatory in case your business falls in any of the following categories:

  • Processing
  • Packaging
  • Storage
  • Procurement
  • Manufacturing
  • Distribution

Here below you can find the list of entities which mandatorily require the Food License to operate their business:

  • Food sellers and resellers
  • Dairy and dairy processing
  • Food importers and exporters
  • Hotels
  • Wholesaler
  • Restaurents
  • Food chains
  • Processors like pickle and dry fruit maker
  • Raw material suppliers to food businesses
  • Retailers & establishments
  • Transporters who transfer food from one location to another
  • Canteens in corporations, schools, colleges, hospitals or government institutions
  • Packaged food manufacturers who produce ready to eat products.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR REGISTRATION

Depending upon the type of FSSAI registration required for your food business, documents are categorised as below:

  • For Obtaining an FSSAI Basic Registration

    • Photo Identity proof of the Food Business Operator (FBO)
    • Passport sized photograph
    • Pan card of FBO
    • NOC by Municipality/Panchayat, Health NOC, if any
    • Declaration about the Business details in Form A
    • Proof of possession of business premises
    • Certificate of Incorporation /Partnership deed / Articles of Association etc

  • For Obtaining an FSSAI State & Central License

    • Duly completed and signed Form-B
    • Blueprint/layout plan of the processing unit (Manufacturing and processing unit only)
    • List of Directors / Partners / Proprietor / Executive Members with contact details and photo ID (Companies only)
    • Details of the machinery to use for operations (Manufacturing and processing unit only)
    • List of Food categories to be manufactured (Manufacturing unit only)/li>
    • Authority letter from the manufacturer in favour of the nominated person with authority
    • Analysis report of water to be used in the manufacturing of food items (For Manufacturing and processing units)
    • Proof of possession of premises
    • Partnership Deed/Affidavit of Proprietorship/MOA /Incorporation
    • Copy of certificate obtained under the Coop Act (Co-operatives only)
    • NOC & Copy of License from the manufacturer (For relabelers and repackers only)
    • Food Safety Management System plan and Recall Plan (If applicable)
    • Source of milk and meat (If applicable)
    • NOCs from Municipality or local body
    • Certificate provided by the Ministry of Tourism (HRACC). (Mandatory for Hotel Only)
    • Form IX

  • Additional Document for Central License

    • Declaration Form
    • Ministry of Commerce Certificate for 100% EOU
    • Supporting documentary proof for Turnover
    • NOC/PA document issued by FSSAI
    • IE CODE document issued by DGFT (For exporters and importers)

Registration Process

As per FSS Act, 2006 every Food Business Operator in the country is required to be licensed/registered under the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India. The licensing and registration procedure and requirements are regulated by Food Safety & Standards (Licensing and Registration of food Business) Regulations, 2011.

How can we help in getting registration?

We, at Mylegalbusiness, provides an end-to-end service and solution for food licensing and FSSAI registration. We promise following to each and every proposed Food Business Operator:

  • FSSAI Registration within the minimum time
  • Step by step help with FSSAI online application filling
  • Direction on picking the right food license type
  • Hand-holding through the entire registration process.
  • Solution to all your questions and concerns and best customer support

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

It provides creditability to business in the eyes of financial institutions, suppliers and potential clients. As it makes easier for companies to get loans at favorable terms from banks or convincing potential clients while entering into deals .

WHAT FSSAI LICENSE MEANS?

This license is a basic step for obtaining permission for starting a food business in India. Every eligible food operator is required to take before string any food business in India.

HOW DO I RENEW MY FSSAI REGISTRATION?

FSSAI license can be renewed 30 days before the expiry of original license. You need to provide your current license number to My Legal Route team. We will re-file the Form A and form B for renewal of the application / license. It typically takes 30-40 for renewal of the license. The government fee is same for renewal as for new license issue.

I HAVE MANUFACTURING UNITS IN MULTIPLE STATES. WILL I BE REQUIRED TO GET A COMMON LICENSE FOR THE COMPANY OR AN INDIVIDUAL LICENSE FOR EACH UNIT?

You will need a Central License for the registered office of your company and individual state licenses for each manufacturing unit in particular states.

I IMPORT FOOD ITEMS FOR SALE IN INDIA. DO I NEED A LICENSE FROM FSSAI?

Yes, you will be required to obtain a central license from the address contained in Import Export Code. For import export FSSAI central license is mandatory.

IS IT MANDATORY FOR 100% EXPORT UNITS TO GET FSSAI LICENSING?

Yes, FSSAI license is mandatory for both export and import of food products. You will need to apply for FSSAI Central License for your export unit.

WE MANUFACTURE ONLY FOOD ADDITIVES. DO I NEED A LICENSE FROM FSSAI TOO?

Yes, FSSAI license for food activities of any kind including manufacturing, trading, distribution and transportation. Therefore, you shall need a license from FSSAI too.

WILL LICENSE BE REQUIRED FOR A CATERING ESTABLISHMENT THAT COMES UNDER THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT?

Yes, all catering establishments, even those under central Government such as Railways, Airport, Seaport, and Defense etc. will have to get a license from FSSAI. In most cases, such establishments need to get FSSAI central license.

WHAT WILL BE THE LICENSE FORMALITY IF WAREHOUSES ARE IN MORE THAN ONE PLACE BUT WITHIN THE SAME LOCALITY (SAME MUNICIPALITY AND SAME CITY)?

Even if the warehouses are located in the same city but different location then a separate license for each location is required. However, if multiple warehouses are on the same campus, a single license is applicable with campus address.