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Food License

FSSAI Registration – An Overview

In order to run a food business in India, FSSAI registration is a must-have.

  • This includes activities such as food processing, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, and selling.
  • The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issues the registration/license, as per the guidelines and regulations listed in the FSSAI Act of 2006.

Benefits of FSSAI License Registration

  • Builds trust and credibility among customers
  • FSSAI logo creates goodwill among consumers
  • Regulates hygiene and cleanliness standards
  • Provides access to industry studies and knowledge to improve safety standards and meet international standards
  • Essential for importing and exporting food products
  • Required for online food product sales, and importing and exporting food products
  • Sets guidelines and procedures for quality assurance of accredited labs as per ISO17025

FoSCoS FSSAI License Renewal

The FSSAI license is valid for 1-5 years and can be renewed before it expires. To renew, submit an application at least 30 days before the expiry date with the required documents. Late submissions attract a daily penalty of ₹100. If the license expires, the Food Business Operator must cease all operations until it’s renewed.

To update the business address or other details on your license, you need to apply for a new license. The process involves filling out the online application form and submitting the necessary documents.

Who Is Required to Apply for FSSAI License?

All players in the food industry, ranging from street vendors to big food chains, are required to register with FSSAI, whether they operate online or offline, and regardless of whether they are local players or involved in the import or export of food products. Depending on their size and operating locations, they are required to obtain one of the three types of registrations/licenses discussed below.

If you're involved in the food biz, whether big or small,
You gotta get an FSSAI license, that's the call!
From street-side stalls to fancy dining halls,
Everyone needs it, no exception, no loopholes!

  • Procurement
  • Manufacture
  • Distribution
  • Processing
  • Packaging
  • Storage
  • Selling

Penalty for Not Registering

Operating a food business without registering with FSSAI can lead to imprisonment and a penalty of up to ₹5 lakhs for the FBO.

Types of FSSAI Food License in India

As per the FSSAI Act of 2006, all food businesses need to fall under one of the three categories below, (or else you might get into trouble with the food authorities.):

  • The Food License Registration Online – Basic
  • It is issued for small businesses with a turnover of up to approximately ₹12 lakhs per annum. However, catering businesses must apply for a state license regardless of their turnover and not a basic FSSAI registration.

Fssai State License

If a company has a profit greater than ₹12 lakhs, they need to obtain a state license from FSSAI. For larger businesses with a turnover of over ₹20 crores per annum, such as those supplying food to government offices or involved in food import/export, operating franchises or chains of hotels/restaurants, or operating an online platform, a Central FSSAI license is required.

FSSAI Licence Registration Eligibility

  • Basic FSSAI License:
    • for small food businesses with an annual turnover of up to ₹12 lakhs
    • new food business operators who are planning to enter the market.
  • State FSSAI License:
    • For businesses with an annual turnover between ₹12 lakhs and ₹20 crores
    • If a food business operator has an annual turnover of up to ₹12 lakhs and operates in multiple states, they must obtain an FSSAI state license.
  • Central FSSAI License:
    • Food business operators who have an annual turnover exceeding ₹20 crores
    • Multi-state food business operators
  • Apart from this the following are also eligible for a food license
    • Any Food Business Operator (FBO) with a maximum annual turnover of ₹12 lakh
    • Food product retailers
    • Individuals who manufacture or sell food products on their own
    • People operating makeshift food stands
    • Anyone serving meals during a religious or social event, except for caterers
    • Small-scale or home-based businesses involved in the food industry
  • Some of the capacity criteria for the business are mentioned as follows: 
S NoBusinessCapacity
1Food production capacity (excluding milk and meat)Up to 100 kg/ltr per day
2Procurement, handling and collection of milkUp to 500 ltr per day
3Slaughtering capacityup to 2 large animals or

10 small animals or

50 poultry birds per day

Documents Required for FSSAI Registration

Based on different types of registration and the food business that you are running, you have to submit diffrent documents required for FSSAI Registration.

FSSAI Registration

  1. A self-attested passport-sized photograph of the authorized person
  2. Front and back self-attested copy of the authorized person’s Aadhar card
  3. Address proof of the business premises, such as rental agreement, previous month’s electricity bill, or NOC from the landlord.
  4. A signed declaration by the authorized person.

State & Central License

Documents required for FSSAI registration include

  1. passport-sized photographs and identity proofs (Aadhar and PAN Card) of the directors/partners/proprietor,
  2. address proof of the business premises (rental agreement/previous month’s electricity bill/NOC from landlord),
  3. photographs of the premises (8-9 photos),
  4. a blueprint of the premises,
  5. a list of food products and machines (if any) on the company’s letterhead with seal and signature.

Manufacturing Units

Manufacturing units are required to submit additional documents along with the required FoSCoS FSSAI Registration documents, which include the blueprint of the warehouse, plant, etc., a list of all machinery, a water test report, and a list of all food categories.

Penalty for Non- Compliance

You’re in for some trouble if you don’t comply with FSSAI regulations. The authorities can hit you with penalties and even take legal action against you. Check out these FSSAI non-compliance penalties:

  • Unsafe or substandard food can lead to a penalty of up to ₹5 lakhs
  • Misleading advertising may result in a penalty of up to ₹10 lakhs
  • Non-cooperation with FSSAI officials can lead to a penalty of up to ₹2 lakhs
  • Violating FSSAI regulations may result in a penalty of up to ₹2 lakhs
  • Running a food business without FSSAI registration or license can lead to a penalty of up to ₹5 lakhs
  • Selling misbranded food may result in a penalty of up to ₹3 lakhs
  • Selling food containing extraneous matter may lead to a penalty of up to ₹1 lakh
  • Causing injury or death due to unsafe food may result in imprisonment of up to 6 years and a fine of up to ₹5 lakhs. Don’t want to end up in the food-jail, do we?

Difference Between FSSAI Registration and FSSAI License

CriteriaFSSAI RegistrationFSSAI License
ApplicabilitySmall-scale food businessesMedium and large-scale food businesses
TurnoverAnnual turnover of up to ₹12 lakhsAnnual turnover of more than ₹12 lakhs
ScopeLimited to a specific local areaAllows activities across the country
StringencyLess stringentMore comprehensive and mandatory
ValidityValid for a maximum of 5 yearsValid for a maximum of 5 years

Food License FAQ's

Well, it depends on how good you are at following the rules. The FSSAI license can be valid for 1 to 5 years, so make sure you don’t mess up your kitchen before that!

Don’t wait for your license to expire and turn stale like expired food. Renew your FSSAI license at least 30 days before it expires. Remember, procrastination can cost you ₹100 per day in fines.

If you’re a big shot with manufacturing units in multiple states, get ready to be licensed up! Your registered office needs a central FSSAI registration while each manufacturing unit needs a state license.

Yes, you do. The FSSAI license is your golden ticket to sell imported food in India. Just make sure it’s registered from the same address as your import-export code, or you might end up with a sour deal.

Yes, even if you’re only manufacturing food additives, you still need an FSSAI license to do so.

Yes, with us, you can now get your food & safety license registration without leaving your couch!

For a basic FSSAI registration, it takes around 15-20 days. For state and central licenses, it may take up to 35-40 days. But hey, Rome wasn’t built in a day, right?

Small-scale businesses with an annual turnover of up to ₹12 lakhs, personal food businesses, and religious and charitable institutions that serve food as part of their activities are all exempted from FSSAI registration.

All food products, whether they’re packaged, bottled, canned, or prepared in restaurants, food trucks, or food processing units, need an FSSAI license.

Yes!

No matter how cozy your kitchen is, if you’re running a home-based food business, you still need an FSSAI registration or license—based on the scale of your business and annual turnover.

Yes, it’s mandatory to mention your FSSAI license or registration number on the food product label and invoice. Because what’s the point of having a license if you’re not going to show it off?

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