FSSAI License & Registration

FSSAI License and Registration (Food License in India)

FSSAI License and Registration is required for any food business in India that manufactures, stores, transports, or distributes food. Depending on the size and nature of the company, FSSAI registration or license may be required. In the FSSAI Registration process, the FBO will get a 14 digit number that needs to be printed on food packages. Obtaining a FSSAI license can provide the food business with legal benefits, build goodwill, ensure food safety, create consumer awareness, and assist in business expansion.

Food Business Operators Who Require FSSAI Registration?

The Food Business Operators (FBOs) carrying on the following kinds of food business must have FSSAI License/Registration:

• Petty retailers, Retail Shops, Snacks shops, Confectionery or Bakery shops, etc.
• Temporary stalls, fixed stalls, or food premises involved in preparing, storing, distributing, and selling food products
• Hawkers selling packaged or freshly prepared food by traveling from one location to another
• Dairy Units, including Milk Chilling Units, Petty Milkmen, and Milk Vendors
• Slaughtering house
• Fish Processing, Meat Processing units
• All Food Manufacturing units that include Repacking food
• Vegetable Oil Processing Units
• Proprietary food and Novel food
• Cold/refrigerated storage facility
• Transporters of food products with specialized vehicles like insulated refrigerated vans, milk tankers, food trucks, etc.
• Wholesalers, suppliers, distributors, and marketers of food products
• Hotels, Restaurants, and Bars
• Canteens and Cafeteria, including mid-day meal canteens
• Food Vending Agencies and Caterers
• Dhaba, PG providing food, Banquet halls with food catering, Home Based Canteen, and Food stalls at fairs or religious institutions
• Importers and Exporters of food items and food ingredients
• E-Commerce food suppliers, including cloud kitchens

FSSAI Registration

FSSAI Registration is mandatory for petty food manufacturers or the FBO having a turnover of less than Rs.1.50 crore unless the FBO is covered under compulsory licensing. The petty FBO who complies with the following conditions must obtain an FSSAI registration certificate:

• Annual turnover does not exceed Rs.1.50 crore
• Production capacity of food products (other than milk and meat products) up to 100 liters or kg per day
• Procurement or handling and collection of milk is up to 500 liters of milk per day
• Slaughtering capacity is two large animals or ten small animals, or 50 poultry birds per day or less
• Distributes foods including in any religious or social gathering except a caterer

FSSAI registration number granted by the State Licensing Authority carries 14 digits, and the first digit starts with 2.

FSSAI License

FSSAI License is mandatory for businesses having a turnover of more than 1.50 crore or by the FBO engaged in food processing and manufacturing. The FSSAI License is categorized into two types — Central and State License. FSSAI license carries 14 digits, wherein the first digit starts with 1.

State License: Medium-size processors, manufacturers, traders, marketers, or transporters require the FSSAI state license. The FBO with an annual turnover of more than Rs.1.50 crore but not exceeding Rs.50 crore must obtain a state license.

Central License: A large-sized business processing, transporting, manufacturing, and having international trade of food products needs to obtain the FSSAI central license. The FBO with an annual turnover of more than Rs.50 crore must obtain an FSSAI central license.

Difference between FSSAI Registration and FSSAI License

Benefits of Procuring FSSAI Food License

• Legal benefit
• Ensure food safety
• Build goodwill
• Create consumer awareness
• Helps regulate, manufacture, store, distribute, and sell imported food
• Easier to obtain funds from investors when an entrepreneur has an FSSAI license
• FSSAI logos on food products ensure the quality of the products to the customers

Validity of FSSAI License/Registration

The FSSAI License / Registration will be issued for 1 to 5 years, as chosen by the Food Business Operator, from the date of issue. The FBO must apply for renewal 30 days before the expiry of the current registration.

Documents for FSSAI Basic Registration

• Identity proof of the FBOs
• Business Certificate such as Certificate of Incorporation, Shop & Establishment License, Partnership Deed or other Business Registration Certificate
• FSMS or Food Safety Management System Plan
• Details of Bank Account
• Possession proof of the business premises i.e., No Objection Certificate, Rental Agreement, utility bills, etc.
• List of food items processed or manufactured

Documents Required for FSSAI State & Central License

Apart from the basic documents, the following are required:

• Duly filled & signed Form-B
• Name & list of machinery and equipment used with the number & installed capacity
• Report analysis of water to be used in the process to confirm the portability
• List of Partners or Directors or Proprietors with complete address, photo id & contact details
• Processing unit plan showing the dimensions & operation-wise area allocation
• Letter of Authority from the manufacturer nominating a responsible person's name & address
• For Central License: Source of raw material for meat/milk, IEC document issued by DGFT, Form IX, supporting documents for turnover & transportation, Declaration Form, and NOC documents issued by FSSAI

FSSAI Annual Return

After getting the FSSAI License, the Food Business Operators must comply with FSSAI compliances and file the FSSAI Annual Return. The types are:

• FSSAI Form D1 (Annual Return): All food packers, importers, manufacturers, labellers, re-packers & re-labellers must mandatorily file Form D1 with the FSSAI Licensing Authority. Due on or before 31st May for every Financial Year.
• FSSAI Form D2 (Half-Yearly Return): Filed by FBOs involved in importing or manufacturing milk or milk products. Due within 31st October (April–September) and 30th April (October–March).

According to Section 2.1.13(3) of FSS (Licensing and Registration) Regulations, 2011, if the food business administrators don't record the return within the prescribed period, a fine of Rs 100 per day will be imposed and will continue increasing if the default proceeds.