How to get FSSAI Food License?

Food is an essential requirement for any human being. For addressing the issues of food safety, the Indian government established the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. It helps the government for regularizing the food business industry. Additionally it ensures that the foods produced in various food production units are safe for human consumption. These units are manufacturers, storage units, retailers, marketers, distributors, transporters, and small food retailers, etc.

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare issues FSSAI Food License for supervising food business operators. Here in this article, we will get to know about FSSAI food license and the procedure for getting FSSAI food License.

FSSAI License

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) have the authority to issue guidelines. It issues licensing to food business operators in India. Thus, every food business operators have to get a FSSAI License/Registration depending upon their eligibility criteria.

Do I need an FSSAI license?

If you wish to launch a food business, you have to get an FSSAI License. Following individuals or entities are eligible for getting FSSAI Registration or License-

• Food Manufacturer
• Packaging unit/Storage unit
• Wholesale/Trading/Online Food Business Operator
• Caters, Hotel and any raw material supplier
• Exporter and Importer of food products
• Transporter and Distributors
• Retailers of Food Product

Advantages of getting a food license

1. The mandatory requirement for getting the 14 digit food license by FSSAI Department reduces the chances of adulteration in food and production of sub-standard products.
2. In addition to the above, registration acts as a single reference point for all the food safety requirements.
3. The existence of a food license enforces consumer confidence in food quality. Moreover, it facilitates development in the food industry without compromising the quality of food.
4. It also helps to develop consumer confidence in quality & food safety.
5. Lastly, it helps the Authorities keep a regular check on food business operators for maintaining the food standard.

Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006

The central government under The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 established a body known as The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for laying down food safety regulations. Another key point is that FSSAI has the power to acquire, hold, and dispose of the property. Furthermore, the FSSAI license is issued depending on the size of the business. The government department issue central license for medium to large businesses, a state license to medium enterprises, and a basic license to small businesses.

Section 31 of the Food and Safety Act specifically states, about licensing and registration of food business.  Moreover, it explicitly states about the mandatory requirement of food license. 

Types of Food License

Since the regulatory framework in India makes registration mandatory. FSSAI food license has three different categories. This categorization depends on factors like the service industry, turnover, production capacity, and manufacturing.

Following are segregation of food license-

Basic FSSAI Registration	State FSSAI License	Central FSSAI License
Small-sized food business operators, for example, petty retailers, hawkers, itinerant vendors are a few examples who require a basic FSSAI Registration.	Small and medium-sized food business operators like dairy units, vegetable oil processing units, slaughtering units, meat processing units, proprietary foods, restaurants, and hotels have to apply for a State FSSAI License necessarily.	Large manufacturers who deal with exports, imports, airports, and operators in central government agencies have to get Central FSSAI License mandatorily. They have to obtain a license for their head office. Additionally, they can also operate in more than one state.
It covers organizations having a total annual turnover of less than Rs. 12 Lakh.	The business entities have a turnover of more than Rs. 12 Lakh.	For a central license, the food business operator should have a turnover of more than Rs. 20 Lakh.
It is valid for a minimum period of one year and a maximum period of 5 years.	Similarly, the State Government issues the food license with validity from 1 year to 5 years.	This license is also valid for a minimum of 1 year and a maximum period of 5 years.
State government issues it.	The State Government issues the FSSAI State License.	The Central Government issues Central license. Furthermore, a food business operator has to obtain the Central License for their head office only.

Where can I file for FSSAI registration?

FSSAI food license registration is available on the official website of The Food Safety and Standard Authority of India. It can be done by submission of application in Form A. Afterward, the department will analyze the application along with the documents grant the registration.

How do I get an FSSAI Food license?

How to check FSSAI License number online?

Step 1

Firstly, enter the 14 digit FSSAI License number.

Step 2

Secondly, the applicant can check the validity and other basic information on the website.

Step 3

Thirdly, the applicant can login with the username and password.

Step 4

Lastly, the applicant can get the details about the FSSAI License.

FSSAI Renewal

Food License is a fundamental requirement for every food business operator. It is equally important to renew the license within the time period or before the expiry.

They are valid for a period of a minimum of 1 year to a maximum of 5 years. The registration fee varies according to the tenure of the license. According to the FSSAI rules, the food business operators have to apply for renewal 30 days prior to the expiry of license.

There is a penalty of Rs. 100 per day if the application for renewal is not documented on time.

Consequently, if renewal is not done on time and the food business operator has to file for a new food license to continue their business. 

What are the responsibilities after getting a food license?

• First of all, the food business operator has to ensure that the item complies with the legal requirements.
• Secondly, no food business has the right to manufacture, store, sell, or distribute food items that are unsafe, mis-branded, or sub-standard or prohibited.

Conclusion

Everyone needs food, with so much development going around the food industry is growing. Therefore the government has made FSSAI food license mandatory for food business operators. This was done for maintaining food standards and safety. Lastly, this registration will aid in regulatory compliance.

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