FSSAI monitors the food businesses all over the country. It is an autonomous body established under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India as per the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006. It ensures food products undergo quality checks. To know more on how to register for FSSAI Online, Types of FSSAI License, Registration Fees, Documents Required, Benefits of Registering for FSSAI, etc.
FSSAI Full Form – Food Safety and Standard Authority of India
- What is FSSAI?
- FSSAI Registration Process
- Types of FSSAI Registration
- Why Should I Register for FSSAI?
- FSSAI Registration Fees
- Documents Required for FSSAI Registration or Food License
- Benefits of FSSAI Registration
- Consequences of Non-Compliance
- Penalty for Non-Compliance
- FSSAI License Renewal
- FAQs on FSSAI Registration
What is FSSAI?
FSSAI is an independent organization set up by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. It makes sure that all food-related businesses meet the guidelines set under the FSSAI Act 2006.
FSSAI Registration Process
There are five major steps in the FSSAI Registration Process and they are outlined below for your idea. They are as follows
- Choose the Kind of Business
- Select the Category of Food
- Choose the Type of License
- Documentation
- Issue of Certificate
Types of FSSAI Registration
Small Food Business needs legal registration in order to begin a business in the country. Business Incorporations such as Private Limited, Company or Proprietorship Firm is included. There are mainly 3 kinds of Food License Categories needed by each food-related business.
FSSAI Basic Registration: It is the basic registration needed by business owners whose turnover exceeds 12 Lakhs. If you are starting a new business then you need this FSSAI Basic Registration.
FSSAI License Registration: If you have an FSSAI Basic Registration and are having a turnover of more than 12 Lakhs and less than 20 Cr you should opt for this.
FSSAI Central License Registration: If you are beginning an import-export business or want to supply to governments several departments then you should opt for FSSAI Central License Registration.
Why Should I Register for FSSAI?
You need Food License or FSSAI when you enter the food business in the initial stages. All the organizations irrespective of packing, transporting, processing need to register themselves under FSSAI. The agenda behind beginning the FSSAI Registration/ Food License is to provide safe, pure, wholesome, and nutritious food to consumers.
FSSAI Registration is mandatory for those whose business turnover exceeds 12 Lakhs. Based on the business does and the annual turnover limit the FSSAI License varies accordingly.
FSSAI Registration Fees
FSSAI Registration is split into two namely Government Fees and Professional Fees. Government Fee is charged directly by the Government whereas a professional fee is paid to the lawyer/CA for processing your application.
a) FSSAI Registration – 100/- Per Year
b) FSSAI State License – 2000/- 5000/- Per Year
c) FSSAI Central License – 7500/- Per Year
You can check with the official website too in case of any further clarification needed on the registration fees.
Documents Required for FSSAI Registration or Food License
There can be a slight variation in the documents required for FSSAI at State and Central Level. Check out the FSSAI License Registration Documents provided below and keep them handy.
Documents Required for FSSAI State License
- Form B Duly Completed and Signed.
- Processing Unit Plan indicating the dimensions as well as operation-wise area allocation.
- Directors/ Partners/Proprietors List along with Address, Contact Details as well as Photo ID.
- Equipment and Machinery List and Names along with the number and installed Capacity
- Categories of food to be manufactured.
- Authority Letter from the Manufacturer nominating a responsible person with name and address
- Analysis Report of water to be used.
- Partnership Deed.
- Proof of Possession of Premises
- NOC Letter from the Manufacturer
- Food safety management system plan or certificate
- Copy of Certificate Obtained under Coop Act 1861/ Multi-State Coop Act 200
Documents Required for FSSAI Central License
- Form B Duly Completed and Signed.
- Processing Unit Plan indicating the dimensions as well as operation-wise area allocation.
- Directors/ Partners/Proprietors List along with Address, Contact Details as well as Photo ID.
- Equipment and Machinery List and Names along with the number and installed Capacity
- Categories of Food to be Manufactured.
- Authority Letter from Manufacturer nominating a person as responsible with name and address.
- Analysis report of after to be used.
- Source of Raw Materials like Milk, Meat, etc.
- Ministry of Commerce Certificate for 100% EOU
- NOC/PA document issued by FSSAI
- IEC Document issued by DGFT.
- Certificate from Ministry of Tourism
- Form IX
- Recall Plan if applicable
- Proof of Possession of Premises
- NOC and License Copy from the Manufacturer
- Food Safety Management System Plan or Certificate.
- Documents Supporting Turnover and Transportation
- Declaration Form
- NOC from Municipality or Local Body
Benefits of FSSAI Registration
Getting a License can yield several benefits to the food business owners. They are as follows
- Legal Benefits
- Ensure Food Safety
- Build Goodwill
- Creates Consumer Awareness
- Assists in Business Expansion
- Regulates the Manufacture, Storage, and Distribution of Food
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Any registered or Licensed Person should abide by the rules and regulations set under the FSS Act 2006. In general, Food Safety Officer inspects the food and identifies the level of compliance as per the checklist. Depending on the Compliance Level Food Safety Officer marks the following
- Compliance (C)
- Non-compliance (NC)
- Partial compliance (PC)
- Not applicable/Not observed (NA)
As per the level, Food Safety Officer issues an improvement notice according to Section 32 of the FSS Act, 2006. Even after issuing the improvement notice if at all the business owner fails to meet the guidelines the officer might cancel the license.
Penalty for Non-Compliance
Below is the list of penalties the Food Safety Officer charges for not meeting the FSSAI Guidelines. They are as under
S.No | Particulars | Fine |
1 | Food quality not in compliance with the act | 2 Lakh Petty manufacturer – 25,000/- |
2 | Misbranded Food | 3 Lakh |
3 | Sub-standard food | 5 Lakh |
4 | Failure to comply with Food safety officer direction | 2 Lakh |
5 | Unhygienic processing or manufacture | 1 Lakh |
6 | Misleading advertisement or false description | 10 Lakh |
7 | Extraneous matter in food | 1 Lakh |
FSSAI License Renewal
FSSAI License is mandatory to do the food business. In the same way, it is imperative to renew the license after a validity period such as 1 year or 5 years. Thus, businesses need to apply for the license 30 days prior to the expiration of the current license available.
FAQs on FSSAI Registration
1. What does FSSAI stand for?
FSSAI Stands for Food Safety and Standard Authority of India.
2. Why you should get FSSAI License?
There are plenty of reasons one needs to get their FSSAI License and they are as follows
- Legal Benefits
- Ensure Food Safety
- Build Goodwill
- Creates Consumer Awareness
- Assists in Business Expansion
3. How long does it take to get FSSAI registration?
Based on the FSSAI License you have opted the tenure depends.
- For Basic License it takes around 7 working days to complete the registration
- For State/Central License it takes around 30 working days to get the registration process done.
4. What are the different types of FSSAI Licenses?
There are 3 different types of FSSAI Licenses and they are as under
- FSSAI Basic License
- FSSAI State License
- FSSAI Central License
5. When is FSSAI License Mandatory?
FSSAI License is mandatory for those business owners whose turnover exceeds 12 Lakhs per year and the production capacity is more than 100 kg per day.