If you are operating or planning to start a food business in India, then you need to apply for the FSSAI license, also commonly called as food license. Keeping public health and safety in mind, the Government of India established the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The aim of this organisation is to lay down the regulations and standards for food safety in India. Further, it is also the principal authority to grant the FSSAI registration and license under the FSSAI law. Here’s everything you should know about FSSAI certificate in India.
Types of FSSAI Certificates
The FSSAI certificate in India can be divided into two categories based upon the turnover of the enterprise:
FSSAI registration is mandatory for Food Business Operators (FBOs) or petty food manufacturers who have a turnover of less than Rs. 12 lakhs unless the FBO gets covered under compulsory licensing. These normally include hawkers, little retailers, temporary stall holders, itinerant vendors or small-scale industries that comply with the following conditions:
- Annual turnover does not exceed Rs. 12 lakhs
- The production capacity of the food products is up to 100 litres or kgs per day (except milk and milk products and meat and meat products)
- Procurement, handling or collection of milk is up to 500 litres per day
- Slaughtering capacity per day is 2 large animals, 10 small animals or 50 poultry birds per day or less.
- Distributes food in any social or religious gathering except caterers.
The FSSAI registration number is a 14-digit unique number granted by the State Licensing Authority, the first digit starting with 2.
FSSAI license is mandatory for food businesses with turnover exceeding more than Rs. 12 lakhs or in the case of food business operators engaged in food manufacturing and processing. After obtaining an FSSAI license, a 14-digit unique registration number is issued, the first digit being 1. The FSSAI license can be divided into 2 categories based on turnover i.e., State License and Central License.
- State License: This is applicable in the case of medium-size manufacturers, traders, processors, marketers or transporters where the annual turnover of the FBO is more than Rs. 12 lakhs but does not exceed Rs. 20 crores. They shall obtain an FSSAI license from the State Government.
- Central License: This is applicable in the case of large-sized businesses engaged in the manufacturing, transportation, processing and international trade of food products. The FBO should have an annual turnover of more than Rs. 20 crores. They shall obtain an FSSAI license from the Central Government.
Who Shall be Considered as Food Business Operators?
The following persons should be considered as food business operators for the purpose of obtaining food license in India:
- Petty retailers, Retail Shops, Snacks shops, Confectionery or Bakery shops, etc
- Hawkers sell packaged or freshly prepared food by travelling from one location to another.
- Temporary stalls, fixed stalls, or food premises are involved in preparing, storing, distributing, and selling food products.
- Slaughtering house
- Fish Processing, Meat Processing, and unit
- Vegetable Oil Processing Units
- Dairy Units, including Milk Chilling Units, Petty Milkmen, and Milk Vendors
- All Food Manufacturing units that include Repacking food
- Dhaba, PG provides food, a Banquet hall with food catering arrangements, Home Based Canteen, and Food stalls at fairs or religious institutions.
- Cold/refrigerated storage facility
- Proprietary food and Novel food
- Wholesalers, suppliers, distributors, and marketers of food products
- Transporter of food products having several specialized vehicles like insulated refrigerated vans/wagons, milk tankers, food wagons, food trucks, etc
- Canteens and Cafeteria, including mid-day meal canteens
- Hotels, Restaurants, and Bars
- Food Vending Agencies and Caterers
- Importers and Exporters of food items and food ingredients
- E-commerce food suppliers, including cloud kitchens
Benefits of FSSAI Registration and Food License
The FSSAI registration and license brings a gamut of benefits for food businesses, including but not limited to the following:
- Win consumer trust
- Compliance with the statutory requirements
- Build goodwill of the business
- Adhere to the best food safety and quality standards
- Expand your businesses nationally and internationally
- Easier to raise funds from the investors
- Permission to use the FSSAI logo on your food products as proof of the quality of your food products
Validity of the FSSAI Registration & FSSAI License Renewal
The FSSAI registration and license shall remain valid for a period of 1-5 years from the date of issue of FSSAI registration or license. depending upon the FBO’s preference. The FBOs shall apply for the FSSAI license renewal 30 days before its expiry.
Following are the details regarding FSSAI License requirements in India. In case you need any assistance in relation to FSSAI registration or license, feel free to contact the ASC Group.
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