10 Things to Know About FSSAI Registration

Every individual or food business operator in India, dealing with manufacturing, storage, transportation or distribution of food product has to obtain a FSSAI Registration. These entities are ruled by Food Safety and Standard Regulations, 2011. Whether you want to have a FSSAI registration or license solely depends on the size and the nature of the business activity. Because of this, one needs to know FSSAI registration process.

In this article, we are looking into the key intricacies of FSSAI Registration process and 10 things one should know about registration of FSSAI.

FSSAI Registration

FSSAI Registration is compliance which ensures safety of food products, and it is basically a certificate issued by the food authority in India. The governing body is also known as Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare specially deals with the implementation of FSSAI Rules and Regulations. Furthermore, it ensures the availability of food products which are safe for human consumption by laying safety standards. These regulate the whole procedure of production of food products be it manufacturing, distributing or storing of food products. Hence, it acts like a regulatory body which promotes the public health among masses by regularly checking food safety standards.

Nearly 90% of food products available in the market have prescribed specification by FSSAI. Sea products are out of the scope of FSSAI.

Who needs FSSAI Registration?

FSSAI is required for petty food business. A petty food business operator an entity who is-

• Manufacturer or seller of any article of food or through any other petty retailer
• Hawker, itinerant vendor or temporary stall holder
• An Individual who distributes food in any religious or social gathering except a caterers
• Other food businesses which includes a small scale or cottage or such other industries relating to food business or petty food businesses having annual turnover of less than Rs. 12 Lakhs and whose food production capacity does not exceed 100 kg/ltr per day. Additionally, whose slaughtering capacity is of 2 large animals, 10 small animals or 50 poultry birds per day or less.

Eligibility to obtain the registration

Why do we need FSSAI Registration?

Following are the reasons why we need registration with FSSAI-

1. It is a single reference point for food safety and standards, regulations and enforecements
2. It helps to develop consumer confidence in quality & food safety.
3. A single license is required for one or more article of food and different establishments in the same locality.

Types of FSSAI Food License in India

FSSAI issues the following types of food license in India:-

Basic FSSAI Registration

Small sized food business operators who are like manufacturers, transporters, storage units, distributer, marketers, and retailers require a basic FSSAI Registration. It is issued for a minimum period of one year and a maximum period of 5 years. Organisations having a total annual turnover of less than Rs. 12 Lakh  have to get basic FSSAI registration.

State FSSAI License

Food business operators having a annual turnover of more than Rs. 12 Lakh. In short entities like small to medium sized manufacturers, storage units, transporters, marketers, retailers, distributors, etc.  have to necessarily obtain a State FSSAI License. The State Government issues the license with a minimum validity of 1 years and maximum of 5 years.

Central FSSAI License

The food business operators having a turnover of more than Rs. 20 crores have to mandatorily obtain Central FSSAI License. These entities are basically large manufacturers, units which are export-oriented, importers, airports, operators in central government agencies etc.  They have to obtain the license for their head office. Additionally, they can also operate in more than one state. The license is valid for a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 5 years.

FSSAI Registration Process

Following is the FSSAI Registration procedure for obtaining the registration-

1. Applicant has to file an application in Form A with the Food and Safety Department along with other documents.
2. Once the payment is complete, it will reflect on your FSSAI account. You need to file Form B with the government.
3. Multiple declaration and resolutions need to be filed with the application.
4. One needs to follow up with the government department for application status. The application can also be sent back, if one fails to respond within 15 days of application it will be rejected.
5. After a proper verification, the government authorities grant the registration certificate. It contains a registration number.
6. Afterwards, the food business operator has to display the certificate at their business place.

10 things to know about FSSAI Registration

1. FSSAI is mandatory for starting a food business. All the food business operators have to obtain a 14 digit registration number, which is printed on food packages.
2. FSSAI ensures that the food products undergo a strict quality check.
3. The brand owner has to display the FSSAI logo along with the license number on the food label package.
4. Similarly, in case of imported food products also, the FSSAI logo and license number has to be displayed along with the name and address of the importer.
5. It is required for all activities, be it manufacture, process, storage, packaging and distribution of food.
6. A single FSSAI license is issued for one or more food articles and also for different establishments in the same area.
7. If food is manufactured, stored or sole at different premises situated in more than one area, a separate license is issued.
8. An FSSAI registration is maximum valid for five years. The application is renewed two months prior to the expiration date by paying a nominal FSSAI Fee. In case the entity fails to renew on time, they need to apply for a fresh license or pay the penalty.
9. Food Safety officer conducts food inspection at the facility of the business operator and identifies the compliance level. The officer can issue improvement notice under Section 32 of the FSSAI Act 2006. If the operator fails to comply with the notice, the officer has the authority to cancel the license.
10. Various penalties are prescribed for non-compliance. For example, if the food quality is not in compliance with the Act, then a fine of Rs. 2 Lakh has to be given. In case someone is dealing with sub-standard food, then there is a penalty of Rs. 5 Lakh. 

Conclusion

Consequently, every food business operator who deals with the manufacturing, storage, transportation or distribution of food products has to follow the FSSAI registration process and get FSSAI registration. As the food industry is one of the most crucial industries they should follow the compliance diligently. An FSSAI registration ensures that the food business operator complies with the regulatory framework.

For more information regarding FSSAI you can contact our team of lawyers at LawyerINC.