Food License : Accutaxus

FSSAI (Food Safety License) Registration in India

Food Safety License (FSSAI License) is a compulsory document that every Food Business Unit (FBU) should have to obtain the legal permit of working under the regulations of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), an apex body working under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Norms, as prescribed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act), are applicable with this License should be strictly followed by the Food Businesses of the form Food Manufacturing, Distributing or Packaging.

It is useful for these trades to know the salient features related to FSSAI License:

FSSAI License is compulsory for those Food Business Operators that are operating in Manufacturing, Procurement, Processing, Storage, Packaging, Distribution and Sales of Food Products. There are different types of FSSAI License available for these businesses based on their size and nature of business:

Basic Registration:

Single-State Petty Food Businesses with an annual turnover of under INR 12 lakh.
Note: FSSAI Registration/License is not mandatory for Petty manufacturers who prepare food items for selling purpose in home, Petty Retailer, Hawker, Itinerant Vendor, Temporary Stall Owners, Small Scale Cottage FBO/Tiny FBO.
State License: Single-State Hotels, Restaurants and Medium-Sized Food Manufacturers with annual turnover of above INR 12 lakh and below INR 20 crore
Central License: Enterprises with annual turnover of above INR 20 crore

Given below are the businesses that should be registered with FSSAI License before starting any kind of commercial activities:

Food Chains
Hotels
Wholesalers
Food sellers and Re-Sellers
Dairy and its Processing
Food Importers and Food Exporters
Processors, like dry fruit, pickle makers, dairy, etc.
Suppliers of Raw Materials to Food Businesses
Retailers & Establishments who have a Retail Outlet
Transporters - Who transfer items from one chosen location to other
Canteens in corporations, colleges, schools, government institutions, hospitals, etc.
Packaged Food Manufacturers who manufacture/produce items, such as, biscuits, ready to eat products, etc.
Food Safety and Standard Authority of India issues a 14-Digit Unique License Number to every eligible Food Business Operators that they should compulsorily display clearly along with FSSAI logo on their Brand Label, Packages, etc. and in the Business location. This License Number stands as the identity of the Food Business Operator.
FSSAI License is a regulation of Government of India for the eligible Food Business Operators to strictly maintain the standard, quality and hygiene norms as prescribed by FSSAI.
FSSAI License is valid for 1 year/5 years and should be renewed (Application Form C) within 30 days before its expiry date otherwise, the business will not be considered illegal.

It is a legal offense for any Food Business Operator eligible to have a FSSAI License to run its activities without this document and if found can be penalised with fine up to INR 5 lakh/jail term up to 6 months. There are various other penalties applicable on the Food Business Operator (FBO) for not maintaining the quality, standard and hygiene norms as specified by FSSAI:

Quality of food: INR 2 lakh for State/Central License holders, INR 25,000 for petty manufacturers
Misbranding: INR 5 lakh
Substandard Food Products: INR 3 lakh
Misleading Ads/Wrong Food Description: INR 1 lakh

Documentation for Food License Registration

Registration of FBUs need different documents to submit with specific application depending on their size and invested business capital as given by the Food Safety Department of India (Central/State).

For Central License

Form B fully filled and properly signed
Design Plan of processing Unit specifying dimensions and operation-wise area allocation
List of Directors/Partners/Proprietor and their address, contact details and Photo ID
Name and list of equipment and machinery used with the number and installed capacity
List of Food Category for manufacturing
Authority letter from manufacturer nominating a responsible person's name and address
Water Quality Report for Food Processing as per FSSAI Standard
Source of raw material for milk, meat, etc.
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
Proof of turnover and transportation
Declaration Form for FSSAI License

For State License

Form B fully filled and properly signed
Design Plan of processing Unit specifying 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 specifying the number and installed capacity
List of food category to be manufactured
Authority letter from Manufacturer nominating a responsible person's name and address
Water Quality Report for Food Processing as per FSSAI Standard
Proof of possession of premises
Partnership deed/Affidavit of proprietorship
NOC and copy of License from the manufacturer
Copy of certificate obtained under Coop Act 1861/Multi State Coop Act 2002
Food Safety Management System Plan or Certificate

FSSAI (Food Safety License)