Steps to Get FSSAI Registration for Food Business

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been constituted by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare with a stringent visualization to implement FSS act on food business activities. FSSAI was formed to keep a single point of contact for all the food operators. The role & responsibility of FSSAI is to make sure that all food related laws are being followed by food business operators. 

According to the new standards, food must have at least 60% shelf life. Additionally, it cannot be imported without having a license; the importer must be registered in the portfolio of the General Director of Foreign Trade. The sale of food and beverages in the sale for consumption of consumer goods, with special assisted service, the products in the well-equipped premises all these products require FSSAI License which is useful for food Business. The operators in the food sector already in possession of health authorization or health clearance or a registration in accordance with specific sector regulations, as well as the operators of primary production already operating, do not need to make a further notification for the purpose of registration. 

Other acts of fundamental importance for the purpose of activities such as commercial licenses, licenses in the sector of public buildings or authorizations or concessions of a building or town planning type. The Most important thing is to get the FSSAI Registration. Each food business must obtain an FSSAI Registration to operate. Depending on the city and state, and the type of business, the business may be charged a percentage of its gross sales or an annual fee, along with the license fee. Food establishments that operate within a building must obtain a building FSSAI Registration with the city or country. An inspection by the fire department, environmental safety board, or other safety organization may be required before the Food license is issued. FSSAI Registration is sometimes called a food and safety certificate, according to Carriers. The test consists of safety in the handling and storage of food.

FSSAI License Consultant for Food Business

FSSAI Registration establish that all Food Business Operators in the country will be FSSAI license for Food Business in accordance with the procedures laid within. They specify requirements, terms and conditions to benefit from license for food business and that no person shall commence any food business without a valid license. Schedules deal with: List of food business falling under the purview of Central Licensing Authority; Application for Registration/Renewal of Registration under Food Safety. As required by the act, the FDA is required to draft a set of rules that specify the detailed requirements of the law. The role & responsibility of FSSAI is to make sure that all food related laws are being followed by food business operators. 

With the increasing urbanization of populations, even developing countries are beginning to increasingly depend on world trade and the processing of foodstuffs for domestic needs. It is important that in the complex supply chains - from farmers to consumers - food remains safe, of good quality and suitable for consumption. This is why food safety regulations are an element of primary importance in the management of food processing and trade. This changes the role of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), giving the FDA the legal authority to request general and scientific prior checks along the food supply chain. It is legally mandatory for all food business start-up to get FSSAI license/registration to commence their business. For Business with turnover below Rs. 12 Lac Annually. FSSAI has defined a common procedure for all food operators to apply for applicable food License. FSSAI Registration is beneficial For food Business with turnover below Rs. 12 Lac Annually. The Indian Food Safety Authority (FSSAI) has been working for three years on a new law on standards for alcoholic beverages, which will regulate definitions, labeling rules and analytical parameters. FSSAI has defined a common procedure for all food operators to apply for applicable food License. The role & responsibility of FSSAI is to make sure that all food related laws are being followed by food business operators.

Food Licensing in India

Planning to open your own Food Business in India, you got to know certain things before you start.

  

A. Who is required to obtain license?

Any person dealing with food items in whatsoever format be it a manufacturer or trader or wholesaler or retailer or exporter or importer of food products or supplying raw materials to manufacturer is required to obtain the 14 digit Food license number under FSSAI, which has its reporting to Ministry of Health and family welfare.
B.    Now the very basic question that may come in your mind is WHY? Why such registration is mandatory?

In order to maintain the standard of food Licensing is made mandatory, this is achieved through inspection by concerned food department before issuing the License. Such compliance requirement ensures that food products undergo certain quality checks, hence shall result into lesser instances of adulteration, substandard products and also improve accountability of manufacturers.
C.    Which type of food license is required to be obtained by you? See below in which category you fall in:

1. FSSAI Basic registration
For business / startups having annual turnover below Rs.12 lakhs.
2. FSSAI State license
For business / startups having annual turnover between Rs.12-20 crores.
3. FSSAI Central license
For business /startups having annual turnover above Rs.20 crores. This license is also required to be obtained in case supply is done at the government offices or import / export food products.

D.    For registration –Get ready with below documents, before you start applying for the Food License

1.    Documents required:(For BASIC registration)

•    Aadhaar card of the Business owner.
•    Scan copy of the signature.
•    Scan of Photographs.
•    Detail about the business activity.
•    Declaration about the Business place.
2.    Documents required:(For STATE registration)
•    Declaration Form.
•    Aadhaar card of the Business owner.
•    Scan copy of the signature.
•    Scan of Photographs.
•    MOA/AOA / Partnership deed (As Applicable).
•    Company GST No if available.
•    Detail about the business activity & List of food products.
•    An authority letter in the favor of the consultant.
•    Rent agreement and NOC from Property owner.
•    Electricity bills of business / Factory / Warehouse.
•    In case of Transporter applying for FSSAI license need to provide RC of vehicles along with a declaration.
•    NOC from Brand owner in case you are doing re-packaging business.

NOTE: If you are a Manufacturer, then apart from above documents additional documents are required as enlisted below:

•    Factory blueprint.
•    List of Machine with photographs.
•    List of Food products proposed to be manufactured.
•    Water Ground report (DO can demand).
•    Product Testing report in few cases
3.    Documents required:(For CENTRE registration)
•    All documents same as above in case of state license.
•    For a Central license audited balance sheet is also required.
•    IEC Code in case FSSAI license is to be applied for Export / Import.
E.    What is the food license Registration Procedure?

Go to the website-https://foodlicensing.fssai.gov.in/index.aspx.

F.    Once you visit the above website follow below mentioned steps for obtaining Registration of Food license.

1.    Form A is required to be filled on FSSAI website and make the payment for FSSAI application at the FBO nearby your locality.
2.    On the payment confirmation in FSSAI account, proceed for Form B with the government.
3.    Take regular follow-up with the government department for an update on your application. The government may send back your application for certain changes. – if you fail to respond with 15 days of the application, then your application will be rejected
4.    Generally it takes about 45-60 working days to completely review your application and approve the same by the government.

G.    Once food license is received, what’s next? Is there still something pending? Yes Compliance of guidelines issued by FSSAI

1.    The brand owner is required to display the FSSAI logo and his license number on the label of food package.
2.    The importer shall display FSSAI logo and license number along with the name and address of the importer on a sticker to be affixed in case of imported Food Products before customs clearance.

NOTE: - If FBO is operating in more than one state, then additional central license is required to be taken for head or registered office.