FSSAI stands for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India which is an organization that monitors and governs the food business in India.It is an autonomous body which is established under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.
The FSSAI has been established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act) which is a consolidating statute related to food safety and regulation in India. It ensures the food products undergo quality checks thereby curtailing the food adulteration and sale of sub-standard products. It is responsible for the registering and licensing of the Food Business Operators (FBO) in India and it lays down the rules and regulation for running the food business in India.
Every food business operator involved in the manufacturing, processing, storage distribution, and sale of food products must compulsorily obtain FSSAI Registration or License.
FSSAI Registration is different from the FSSAI License in the sense that depending on the size and nature of the business, FBO should obtain the necessary registration or license.
It is a 14-digit registration or a license number that is printed on all the food packages. The 14 digit registration number gives details about the assembling state, producer’s permit. This registration procedure is aimed to create more accountability on the FBO to maintain the quality of the food products. The licensing and registration procedure and requirements are regulated by Food Safety & Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Business) Regulations, 2011.
FSSAI registration or license is based on the business volume and premises. Depending
upon the installed capacity or turnover or location, applicant premises are eligible for the license
such as basic license, central license, and state license.
FSSAI REGISTRATION
Central License
( Large Food Business)
State License
(Medium Food Business)
Registration
( Petty Food Business )
S No. | Business | Capacity |
---|---|---|
1 | Food production capacity (other than milk and meat) | Up to 100 kg/ltr per day |
2 | Procurement, handling, and collection of milk | Up to 500 ltr per day |
3 | Slaughtering capacity | 2 large animals or 10 small animals or 50 poultry birds per day or less |
- FSSAI registration is initiated by submitting Form A (application) to the Food and Safety Department.
- This application can be accepted or it may be rejected by the Department within 7 days from the date of receipt of an application and the rejection has to be intimated to the applicant in writing
- If the application is accepted, then the department will grant a registration certificate with the registration number and the photo of the applicant.
FBO should prominently display the certificate of registration at the place of business during the business hours. - The common documents required for Basic, State and Central Registration are a passport photo and a photo ID proof.
For State and Central license, the following additional documents will be needed:
- Address proof
- List of food category
- Layout plan
- List of equipment
- NOC from municipality
- Incorporation certificate
- List of directors/partners
- MOA and AOA
- Water test report
- Import Export Code
- Form B duly completed and signed
- Plan of the processing unit showing the dimensions and operation-wise area allocation
- List of Directors/ Partners/ Proprietor with address, contact details, and photo ID
- Name and list of equipment and machinery used with the number and installed capacity
- List of food category to be manufactured
- Authority letter from manufacturer nominated a responsible person name and address
- The analysis report of water to be used in the process to confirm the portability
- Source of raw material for milk, meat, etc.
- Recall plan wherever applicable
- Ministry of Commerce Certificate for 100% EOU
- NOC/PA document issued by FSSAI
- IE code document issued by DGFT
- Form IX
- Certificate from Ministry of Tourism
- Proof of possession of premises
- Partnership deed/ affidavit of proprietorship
- NOC and copy of License from the manufacturer
- Food safety management system plan or certificate
- NOC from the municipality or local body
- Supporting document for proof of turnover and transportation
- Declaration form
- Form B duly completed and signed
- Plan of the processing unit showing the dimensions and operation-wise area allocation
- List of Directors/ Partners/ Proprietor with address, contact details, and photo ID
- Name and list of equipment and machinery used with the number and installed capacity
- List of food category to be manufactured
- Authority letter from manufacturer nominated a responsible person name and address
- The analysis report of water to be used in the process to confirm the portability
- Proof of possession of premises
- Partnership deed/ affidavit of proprietorship
- NOC and copy of License from the manufacturer
- Copy of certificate obtained under the Coop Act 1861/Multi state Coop Act 2002
- Food safety management system plan or certificate
There are different forms and documents which are required to be submitted conversion, renewal, and modification of the license.
Download Forms
TIMELINE
Benefits of Procuring FSSAI Food License
Obtaining a license can provide the food business with legal benefits, build goodwill, ensure food safety, create consumer awareness, and assist in business expansion. Also it helps regulate, manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of import food.
Any registered or licensed person under the FSSAI has to adhere to the rules and regulations under the FSS Act, 2006. Food safety officer generally conducts the inspection of the food business operator’s facility and identifies the level of compliance with the regulation using a checklist. Based on the compliance level, the food safety officer marks it as:
- Compliance (C)
- Non-compliance (NC)
- Partial compliance (PC)
- Not applicable/Not observed (NA)
Based on the above, the food safety officer might issue an improvement notice where ever required per Sec 32 of the FSS Act, 2006. If the business operator fails to comply with the improvement notice, the officer after giving the licensee an opportunity to show cause may cancel his license. Any food business operator aggrieved by an improvement notice can appeal to the State Commissioner of Food Safety. The decision thereon can be challenged by appealing to the Food safety appellate tribunal/high court.
Listed is the penalty for various type of non-compliance:
S No. | Particular | Fine |
---|---|---|
1 | Food quality not in compliance with act | 2 Lakh Petty manufacturer – 25,000/- |
2 | Sub-standard food | 5 Lakh |
3 | Misbranded Food | 3 Lakh |
4 | Misleading advertisement or false description | 10 Lakh |
5 | Extraneous matter in food | 1 Lakh |
6 | Failure to comply with Food safety officer direction | 2 Lakh |
7 | Unhygienic processing or manufacture | 1 Lakh |
The FSSAI license is essential to commence the food business, similarly, it is imperative to renew the license. The license is issued for a validity of 1 year or 5 years, so the business must apply for renewal 30 days prior to the expiry of the current license. FSSAI has introduced an online application called Food Licensing and Registration System (FLRS) so businesses can apply online for the licenses.
The FLRS is utilized in five Regional Offices for the issue of licenses and entitlements. They are:
- Northern Region -New Delhi
- Eastern Region – Kolkata
- North Eastern Region – Guwahati
- Western Region – Mumbai and Kerala
- Southern Region – Chennai
An improvement notice is if a Food Business Operator fails to comply with the food regulations set in the FSS Act, 2006. An improvement notice can be issued by a Designated Officer (DO) of the food safety department.
If the food business operator has failed to comply with an improvement notice, his licence can be suspended by the DO, after allowing him to show cause.
Yes, any Food Business Operator (FBO) can appeal to the State Commissioner of Food Safety, if he/she is aggrieved by the improvement notice or suspension/cancellation of licence. The decision of the Food and Safety Commissioner shall be final. Alternatively, an FBO can also approach the Food safety Appellate Tribunal/ high court of their respective States/Uts to challenge the notice.
Any FBO can appeal to the Commission of Food Safety within 15 days from the date on which a notice of the decision was served.