The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is an agency that oversees and regulates the food industry in India. It is a self-governing organisation within the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Government of India. Online FSSAI License Registration Process.
The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act), which is a consolidating statute related to food safety and regulation in India, established the FSSAI. It ensures that food products are subjected to quality checks, reducing food adulteration and the sale of substandard goods. It is in charge of registering and licencing Food Business Operators (FBO) in India, as well as establishing the laws and regulations for operating a food business in the country. Registration with the FSSAI
Every food business operator who manufactures, processes, stores, distributes, or sells food must get an FSSAI Registration or License.
FSSAI Registration differs from FSSAI License in that FBOs should get the appropriate registration or licence based on the size and nature of their operation.
It’s a 14-digit registration or licencing number that appears on every food package. The 14-digit registration number provides information about the assembly state as well as the producer’s permit. The purpose of this registration procedure is to make the FBO more accountable for maintaining the quality of the food goods. The Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, govern the licencing and registration process and standards.
FSSAI Registration is Required for Food Business Operators (FBOs)
FBOs who do the following types of business are required to obtain an FSSAI Registration/License:
- Retail shops and petty retailers, such as Retail Shops, Snack Shops, Confectionery or Bakery Shops, and so on.
- Gol gappa stalls, chat stalls, fruits/vegetables vendors, Tea stalls, snacks stalls, Bread pakoda stalls, Samosa stalls, Chinese food stalls, South Indian food stalls, sweet stalls, juice shops, and so on are examples of temporary stalls or fixed stalls or food premise involved in the preparation, distribution, storage, and sale of food products.
- Hawkers are people who sell packaged or freshly prepared food while travelling from one area to another (typically on foot or on moveable carts).
- Milk Chilling Units, Petty Milkmen, and Milk Vendors are examples of dairy units.
- Units for the processing of vegetable oils.
- Slaughterhouses, such as meat markets, mutton markets, chicken markets, lamb markets, and so on.
- Units for the processing of meat and fish
- All food manufacturing/processing facilities that include food repackaging.
There are two types of food: proprietary food and novel food.
- Storage facility that is cold/refrigerated.
- Food product transporter with a variety of specialised vehicles including insulated refrigerated vans/wagons, milk tankers, food waggons, and food trucks, among others.
- Food product wholesaler, supplier, distributor, and marketer.
- Hotels, restaurants, and bars are all available.
- Canteens and cafeterias, including canteens for mid-day meals.
- Caterers and food vending agencies
- Dhabas, PGs that serve food, banquet halls with food catering services, home-based canteens, and food stalls at fairs or religious institutions are all examples of food stalls.
- Food importers and exporters, as well as food ingredients.
- Cloud kitchens are e-commerce food suppliers.
Each of the above-mentioned business types requires a different type of FSSAI license/registration depending on their eligibility criteria. The FSSAI lists the eligibility requirements for each type of business and license/registration.
FSSAI Registration Types
The FSSAI registers businesses based on their types, turnover, and production capacity. FBOs can apply for a basic licence, a central licence, or a state licence depending on their installed capacity and turnover.
Eligibility for an FSSAI License
Apart from small-scale businesses, all other FBOs must obtain an FSSAI licence. FSSAI Licenses are divided into two categories: State FSSAI Licenses and Central FSSAI Licenses, depending on the size of the business, whether it is small or large.
State FSSAI Licenses and Central FSSAI Licenses
FBOs with large manufacturing units, importers, exporters, and other large-scale food businesses must obtain FSSAI registration from the central government, while FBOs with small to medium-sized manufacturing units, transporters, marketers, traders, and other small to medium-sized manufacturing units must obtain FSSAI registration from the state government. The FBO must have a turnover of between Rs 12 lakh and Rs 20 crore in order to apply for a State License.
Other requirements include manufacturing units with a capacity of 2MT per day and dairy units with a daily volume of up to 5000 litres. 3-star hotels, repackers, relabeling units, clubs, canteens, and all other catering businesses, regardless of turnover, must apply for a licence. The licence is valid for a maximum of 5 years and a minimum of one year.
A FBO must have a turnover of more than Rs. 20 crores and operations in two or more states to apply for a central licence. This licence is required for all importers and exporters. The maximum term is five years, with a one-year minimum. Online FSSAI License Registration Process.
FAQ
How do I get my FSSAI certificate?
On the homepage of the FoSCos website, select the ‘Login-Businesses’ option. Step 2: Click the ‘Sign-in’ button after entering your ‘Username,’ ‘Password,’ and ‘Captcha.’ Step 3: The screen will display your dashboard. Select ‘Issued’ from the drop-down menu.
How do I make changes to my FSSAI certificate?
FBOs must submit an online application through the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) and have a valid receipt of the application with a seventeen-digit application reference number to change an existing FSSAI licence.
Is it necessary to have multiple licences to perform different types of food business activities on the same premises?
The FSSAI licence is premise-based. A single FSSAI licence can be filed for for all types of food business activities that are undertaken at the same location.
How can I change a manually issued licence to an online licence when it’s time to renew it?
Ans: The FBO can contact the Designated Officer for the affected region. The Designated Officer will create a User ID for you and issue you a new system-generated licence number, which you can renew online whenever necessary. Online FSSAI License Registration Process.
