What is the FSSAI Licence?
FSSAI stands for the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. It is an organization that manages and oversees the entire food business in India. It is an autonomous authority established by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
FSSAI registration is one of the most necessary registrations required by anyone involved in the food industry, including those looking to start a restaurant, bakery, hotel, cloud kitchen, or food stall in India.
Every Food Business Operator (FBO), involving entities or persons involved in manufacturing, preparing, selling, transporting, distributing, and storing food articles/products, must hold an FSSAI registration to run their food business.
Who Needs FSSAI Registration?
- Little retailers and retail stores involve a retail store, a snack shop, a confectionery or bakery, etc.
- Gol Gappa stalls, chat stalls, fruits/vegetable vendors, tea stalls, snacks stalls, bread pakoda stalls, samosa stalls, Chinese food stalls, South Indian food stalls, sweet stalls, juice shops, and so on are examples of temporary or fixed stalls or food businesses that prepare, distribute, store, and sell food products.
- Hawkers are people who sell packaged or freshly prepared food while traveling from one site to another (typically on foot or with moveable carts).
- Dairy units include milk chilling facilities, petty milkmen, and milk merchants.
- Units for processing vegetable oils.
- Cruelty includes meat shops, mutton shops, chicken shops, lamb meat, etc.
- Units requiring food repackaging.
- Proprietary food and novel foods.
- Cold/refrigerated garage facility.
- Food transporter with a variety of specialized vehicles, including an insulating refrigerated van/wagon, milk tankers, food wagons, food trucks, and so on.
- Wholesaler, supplier, distributor, and marketer of food.
- Hotel, restaurant, and bar.
- Canteens and cafeterias, especially midday meal canteens.
- Food vending companies and caterers.
- Dhaba, PG provides meals. Banquet halls with food catering services, home-based canteens, and food kiosks at fairs or religious institutions.
- Importers and exporters of food products, including ingredients.E-commerce food providers, including cloud kitchens.
The type of FSSAI license/registration required by each of the businesses varies according to their eligibility criteria. The eligibility requirements for each form of business and type The FSSAI website provides information about licenses and registrations.
How many Types of FSSAI Licence in India?
FSSAI registration is based on business type, turnover, and manufacturing capacity.
- Basic Registration
- State License
- Central License
- Basic Registration : The State Government issues this license to small businesses such as storage units, transporters, marketers, and distributors.
- The company generates an annual turnover of ₹12 lakh.
- State License : This license is issued by the state government
- The business must have activities in only one state.
- The enterprise needs to have an annual turnover of ₹2 lakh.
- Central License : This license is issued by the central government.
- A corporation in the food business must acquire a license for the head office if it operates in multiple states or localities.
- This license is for Food business operators with an annual turnover of ₹20 crore.
Process of getting your FSSAI Licence online?
Follow the procedures below to apply for an FSSAI license online:
- Step 1: Go to the FSSAI licence online website.
- Step 2: Determine if you are eligible for state or central license registration.
- Step 3: After submitting the form, your account will be activated
- Step 4: Log into the recently created account.
- Step 5: Fill in the application form and keep every supporting paperwork on hand.
- Step 6: Once you've completed the form, click the "submit" button.
- Step 7: Print and save a copy of the document for your records.
- Step 8: You will be issued a reference number, which will enable you to track the status of your application.
- Step 9: The application will be received and examined by the relevant authorities. Following an examination They will inspect each application.
- Step 10: Once the accredited inspector is satisfied with the details and the inspection, the license will be issued by the proper organization. It may take up to 60 days.
Documents required for FSSAI licence?
- Provide proof of address and identity.
- List of Food Categories
- Layout Plan
- Details about all the equipment
- Required documents: passport photo, NOC from municipality, MoA and AoA, import/export code, and water test report.
Benefits of having FSSAI Licence?
Obtaining a license may offer legal benefits to the food businesses, promote goodwill, ensure food safety, boost customer awareness, and support business expansion. It also helps to the regulation, production, storage, distribution, and sale of imported food. When an FBO is registered with the FSSAI, it is easier to receive cash from investors.
The FSSAI logo on food goods ensures the quality of food for customers. The FSSAI registration number displayed on the food premises indicates that the premises meet the hygiene and quality criteria.
Conclusion
The primary feature of the FSSAI License is that if processing takes more than 60 days, the applicant can begin without the license without having to wait for further processing. The Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 makes important measures to protect and improve food quality and hygiene practices. Before launching a food business, a person must obtain an FSSAI Registration and License as required by the Act. An FSSAI license is necessary for all food production, processing, storage, packaging, and distribution operations.