9 Simple Steps to apply for FSSAI

CS Karan B. Khattri , Last updated: 09 August 2018
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The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been established under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 which consolidates various acts & orders that have hitherto handled food related issues in various Ministries and Departments. FSSAI has been created for laying down science-based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distributor, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FOOD SAFETY AND STANDARDS ACT, 2006

Various central Acts like Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954 , Fruit Products Order , 1955, Meat Food Products Order , 1973, Vegetable Oil Products (Control) Order, 1947,Edible Oils Packaging (Regulation)Order 1988, Solvent Extracted Oil, De- Oiled Meal and Edible Flour (Control) Order, 1967, Milk and Milk Products Order, 1992 etc are repealed from 5th August 2011 after commencement of FSS Act, 2006.

The Act also aims to establish a single reference point for all matters relating to food safety and standards, by moving from multi-level, multi- departmental control to a single line of command. To this effect, the Act establishes an independent statutory Authority

– the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India with head office at Delhi. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the State Food Safety Authorities shall enforce various provisions of the Act.

FSSAI License or FSSAI Registration is mandatory before starting any food business. FSSAI Registration is required for all food related businesses such as manufacturers, traders, restaurants, small eateries, grocery shop, importers, exporters, home based food businesses, dairy farms, processors, retailers, e-retailers, who are involved in food business must obtain a 14-digit registration Number or a Food license number which must be printed on food packages.

ADVANTAGES OF FSSAI LICENSE / REGISTRATION

Consumer Awareness
Using the FSSAI Logo
The license will help you to establish your reputation and also qualification to grow your business in a new direction
High degree of consumer confidence in safety & quality of food.
Trust on your brand
It helps to promote innovation in foods products
To facilitate food safety
FSSAI has set certain guidelines for food safety research.
Generate new knowledge that would help in continuously updating and upgrading food safety standards which are compatible with international organizations
Carry out evidence based studies for improving or building policies.

WHO NEEDS FSSAI LICENSE:

Food license / FSSAI License is mandatory for everyone who sells product online or offline. Your all supplier will require obtaining the FSSAI registration prior to start of business.

Food license / FSSAI License is mandatory for who handles or operates the food between farm to plate needs to obtain food licence i.e. manufacturing, packaging, sale, importing, exporting and storage of the food.

Food manufacturer who manufactures and sells the food products like biscuits and ready to eat products,
Dairy and Dairy processing,
Transporter transporting the food needs to get a food licence,
Processor like pickle, dry fruit maker will fall under this category,
Storages and warehouses
Restaurant and fast food centre

DIFFERENT TYPES OF FSSAI LICENSE/ REGISTRATION:

FSSAI Central License:

If the annual turnover of the food business is more than Rs. 20 Cr. then central FSSAI License is required. The Central license is issued by the Central Government. Furthermore, FBOs have to obtain the Central License for their head office, and if they have operations in more than 1 state. In case you are in a business having multiple outlets across the country then you need to go for central licence for your registered address and also need to get basic state or central licences depending on the turnover of each outlet. The maximum tenure of this license is 5 years and the minimum is 1 year.

FSSAI State License:

Food business operators like small to medium-sized manufacturers, storage units, transporters, retailers, marketers, distributors etc. are however required to obtain the FSSAI State License. It is thus mostly for the units having an annual turnover of more than 12 lakh. The maximum tenure of this license is 5 years and the minimum is 1 year. Manufacturing units having capacity up to 2 MT per day, Dairy units handling business up to 50000 litters per day, 3 star hotels and above, re-packers and relabeling units, clubs canteens, all the catering business irrespective of their turnover needs to apply for State licence.

FSSAI Registration:

The Food business operators like petty food manufacturers and also the small-sized manufacturers, storage units, transporters, retailers, marketers, distributors etc are thus required to obtain the FSSAI Registration. If the annual turnover of a food business is below Rs. 12 lakh then basic registration of food licensing is required. Generally when someone is starting up a business and unsure of expected turnover, basic food safety registration is done which can be upgraded to state license if the turnover exceeds Rs. 12 Lakh. The maximum tenure of this license is 5 years and the minimum is 1 year

COMMON DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR FSSAI REGISTRATION:

For State and central FSSAI LiCENSE:

PAN of the proprietor /Directors/ Company
Address proof of proprietor /Directors ( Aadhar, Passport, Voter Card, DL etc)
Passport size picture of proprietor /Directors
Declaration
Proof of possession of premises (Rental Agreement / Utility Bill)
Certificate of Incorporation / Partnership Deed / MOA & AOA
List of food products manufactured or processed or stored
Food safety management system plan if any
Trade License if available
List Of Food Category
List of equipments

For Basic Registration:

PAN of the proprietor /Directors/ Company
Address proof of proprietor /Directors ( Aadhar, Passport, Voter Card, DL etc)
Passport size picture of proprietor /Directors
Declaration
Certificate of Incorporation / Partnership Deed / MOA & AOA

PROCEDURE FOR ONLINE FSSAI REGISTRATION

Step 1: Check Eligibility

Step-2: Select type of License or registration

Step 3: Sign Up on Food licensing & Registration system and apply online for license/Registration.

Step 4: Fill FSSAI food license registration form A on FSSAI website

Step 5: Upload the supporting documents.

Step 6: Pay the fees.(online in case of central license, for state license/ registration payment mode may be online or offline via challan etc.)

Step 7: You need to file Form B with the government. Print Form B and sign the same. after scanning this form upload it and acknowledgement will be generated .

Step 8: The government may send back your application for edits – if you fail to respond with 15 days of the application, then your application will be rejected.

Step 9: The government department will take 30-50 working days to completely review your application and approve the same.

Timeframe: