Food businesses in India are regulated under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act). FSSAI registration or obtaining license is mandatory for all the Food Business Operators (FBOs) before starting any food business. Further, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) facilitates the services of issuing FSSAI registration or licenses to Food operating businesses to ensure the compliance with the provisions of the FSS Act.
Applicability
The following food business activities are required to comply with the requirements of FSS Act –
- Manufacturing
- Processing
- Packaging
- Storage and transportation
- Trading
- Distribution of food
- Import and Export
- Food Services
- Catering Services
- Sale of Food
- Sale of Food Ingredients
Registration – Types and Validity
The registration or license can be obtained for a period of 1 year to 5 years as per the discretion of the business. There are following types registrations/licenses –
- Basic Registration: Basic Registration is mandatory for small food manufacturers whose turnover is less than INR 12,00,000 (twelve lakhs) unless the business is covered under compulsory licensing. An annual payment of INR 100 (one hundred) to obtain the registration number. Renewal is to be filed through Form A.
- State License: State license is required wherein the turnover if FBO is above INR 12,00,000 (twelve lakhs) but does not exceed INR 20,00,00,000 (twenty crores) or business is engaged in processing and manufacturing of food. The annual charges for renewal of the license varies from INR 1000 to INR 5000, depending on the number of years of validation is chosen by the business. Renewal is to be filed through Form B.
- Center License: The FBO that operates in more than one state or whose turnover exceeds INR 20,00,00,000 (twenty crores) is required to obtain Centre License. An annual fee of INR 7500 is to be paid by businesses for renewal of the license. Renewal is to be filed through Form B.
Penalty for non-compliance
The license is generally valid for a period of 1 to 5 years. The renewal should be applied before the expiry of the existing license. It is mandatory to renew the license before its expiry or you would have to apply for a new one.
The renewal of license must be applied 90 days prior to expiration to avoid any late fees as post 90 days a fine of INR 100 (one hundred) per day is charged in addition to renewal fees.
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