FSSAI License

FSSAI stands for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India which is an organization that monitors and governs the food business in India. It ensures the food products undergo quality checks thereby curtailing the food adulteration and sale of sub-standard products.

Why you need FSSAI Registration?

If you are running a business into Food operator either engaged into manufacturing, processing , Storage Distribution or sale of Food products, you should be looking to obtain a FSSAI Registration or License as running Food business has to mandatorily secure FSSAI regisration or Licence depending upon scale and nature of business. There are three kind of FSSAI registrations in India.

Parameters to look for to know what type of FSSAI Registration a Food business would need to obtain

1. Basic Registration: The petty and small-sized food business operators (FBO) like manufacturers, transporters, storage units, distributer, marketers, retailers, etc. are required to acquire a Basic FSSAI Registration provided the annual turnover does not exceed Rs. 12 Lakhs.
2. State FSSAI License: FBO with annual Turnover exceeding 12 Lakhs are mandated to obtain State FSSAI licence. It is issued by the respective State Government having a minimum validity of one year and the maximum of 5 years.
3. Central FSSAI License: FBO with an annual Turnover of over 20 Crores like Large manufacturers, Wholly Export oriented units, operators in the Central Government agencies, airports, seaports.

Process for Basic FSSAI registration:

1. Initial application is ti be made in Form A to food and safety Department
2. This application can be accepted or it may be rejected by the Department within 7 days from the application date and the fact has to be intimated to the applicant in writing.
3. If the application is accepted, then the department will grant a registration certificate with the registration number and the photo of the applicant.
4. FBO should prominently display the certificate of registration at the place of business during the business hours.

DOCUMENTATION

1. Registered Rent agreement in case of the premise is rented. Copy of electricity bill/water bill/house tax receipt for owned premises.
2. Partnership deed (for partnership firm or LLP)
3. Photo, Id proof & address proof of partners (for partnership firm or LLP)
4. Certificate of Incorporation (COI), Signed MOA & AOA (For companies)
5. FMS Plan
6. Undertaking for turnover by the applicant
7. Water Test Report for prepared food category applicants
8. Premises layout for manufacturing concern
9. Pictures from inside and outside of the premises
10. Specification sheet of machinery used.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which kind of business require FSSAI License?

Any person engaged into manufacture, storage, buying, selling, packaging, trading, distribution, catering, transportation, ecommerce platforms of food products is required to obtain FSSAI license.

How do a FBO decide the category of Fssai License to be applied for?

An FBO should keep its Annual Turnover in mind before applying for Fssai License. For FBO’s having turnover less than 12 lakhs a year, Fssai registration need to be applied.

FBO’s having turnover more than 12 lakhs but less than 20 crores should apply for FSSAI State License.

FBO’s having turnover more than 20 crores need to obtain FSSAI Central License.

What is the expected timeline for grant of Fssai License?

For FSSAI registration the timeline for grant is 7 working days provided the application and documents are complete in all respects.

For Fssai License, the timeline for grant is 60 days. If any objection is raised on the application, then the time for grant of certificate is counted from date of reverting the objection.

What is validity of FSSAI License?

A Fssai License can be applied for a minimum of 1 year and maximum of 5 Years.