All the food business operators engaged with manufacturing, processing, storage distribution and transportation of food products are required to obtain FSSAI registration or license. Food registration or license is required to be taken by food business operators to ensure quality of food products.
Licenses and Registrations are granted to Food Business Operators in a 3 tier system:-
1. Food Registration Certificate
2. State License
3. Central License
FOOD REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE:- Petty Food Business Operators (FBO) who himself manufactures or sells any article of food or a petty retailer, hawker, itinerant vendor or a temporary stall holder or small scale or cottage or such other industries relating to food business or tiny food business operator having annual turnover up to Rs. 12 Lacs.
STATE LICENSE:- Any other food business who manufactures, produce or sell any article of food having annual turnover more than 12 lacs but upto 20 crore per annum need to apply for state license.
CENTRAL LICENSE:- Food business having annual turnover more than 20 crore and having operations in two or more states, importers, exports and all E-commerce business need to apply for central license.
FAQs:-
My License was cancelled. Can I apply for fresh License?
Ans: After a period of 3 months from the date of cancellation under Regulation 2.1.8 (3), the Food Business Operator may make a fresh application for Registration or license to the concerned authority if all observations made in the improvement notice have been complied with.
How to transfer the License from one owner to another in case of death of owner?
Ans: License can be transferred in case of death of the owner. Transfer application can be made online. For transferring of License, Death Certificate and Proof of Legal Heir is required.
How to renew your license/Registration after expiry?
Ans: Food Business Operator can renew the FSSAI License/Registration even after expiry date with following penalties: a. Three times of the existing annual license/registration fee in the period – 1st day to 90th day from the original expiry date. b. Additional two times of the existing annual license/registration fee (i.e. total 5 times) in the period – 91st day to 180th day from the original expiry date.
Do pharmacies and medical stores need to apply for a FSSAI license or registration if they are selling Health supplements or Nutraceutical products?
Ans: All Food business operators including pharmacies or medical stores selling Health supplements or Nutraceutical products need to apply for the FSSAI license or registration.
What is the FSSAI License requirement to run a food business in more than one state with the same name of the company or organization?
Ans: If a Food Business Operator (FBO) has his food business premises located in two or more than two States, he is required to obtain a Central License for his Registered Office or Head Office in addition to license/registration for each unit/premise. Separate license or registration to be obtained for each unit/premise depending upon that unit’s capacity or turnover, from the concerned Central or State licensing authorities.
My food business is located at Airport. What kind of FSSAI License or Registration I need to obtain? What is the fee required to obtain FSSAI License or Registration?
Ans: Food Business Activities at Airport/Seaport required to obtain Central License. Fee for FSSAI License for food businesses located at Airport/Seaport is Rs. 7500 per year.
I have manufacturing units in multiple states. Will I be required to get a common license for the company or an individual license for each unit?
Ans: You will be required to obtain a Central License for the Head Office/Registered office of your company and individual Central or State license or Registration Certificate (as per the eligibility criteria of respective units) for each manufacturing unit in particular State/UT.
Do I need to file annual return for my food business activities?
Ans: FSSAI Licensed FBOs involved in Manufacturing (including repacking and relabellers i.e FBOs getting their food products manufactured by third party manufacturers) and importing of food products need to submit Annual Returns in Form D1 by 31st May of every preceding financial year.
What is the penalty for late or non-submission of Annual Returns?
Ans: Non-submission of annual return beyond 31st May of every year will attract a late fee of Rs. 100 per day till the date of submission of annual return.
What is the maximum time for grant of Registration Certificate after applying?
Ans: A registration certificate has to be issued by the registration authority within 7 days of the date of making application.
What is the maximum time for grant of FSSAI License after applying?
Ans: A license has to be issued by the Licensing Authority within 60 days of making complete application by an applicant. This time includes scrutinization of application and inspection of premises by the concerned authority.
I have still some days validity left of my FSSAI License, still the system is asking for late fee, why and how the late fee is attached to renewal application?
Ans: As per regulations, a renewal has to be filed not later than 30 days prior to expiry of License to avoid the late fee for renewal of License. A late fee of Rs. 100 per day is calculated and added to renewal fee of License. i.e. if you are applying for renewal on last day of expiry, a late fee of Rs. 100 x 30 = Rs. 3000 will be added to the renewal fee of License.
I am holding two FSSAI License, one State License and One Central for my food business unit. Is it correct to hold two licenses at single premise?
Ans: FSSAI License is purely premised based. No FBO is allowed to possess more than one license for single premise. All kinds of business shall be linked to single License obtained for single premise. If you are holding one State License and one Central License, you shall surrender the State License and apply for modification of Central License to add Kind of Business mentioned in your State License.
The production capacity of my manufacturing unit has been increased and now, I am falling under Central License. How can I update the production capacity?
Ans: As and when the production capacity of a manufacturing unit gets changed, it shall be communicated to concerned Licensing Authorities, through License modification application. Further, if the change in production capacity leads to change in criteria of License i.e. from State to Central, then FBO must apply for Central License and surrender State License.
Do Temples offering prashad, organising langar or bhandara need FSSAI License or Registration?
Ans: Yes. Temples shall obtain FSSAI License or Registration as per the eligibility criteria.
Do NGOs involved in distribution of surplus food require FSSAI License or Registration?
Ans: Such NGOs shall obtain FSSAI License or Registration as per the eligibility criteria.
I am holding a FSSAI Registration Certificate for Manufacturing of food items. Do I need to submit annual return?
Ans. No. Petty Food Business Operators (FBOs) who are holding FSSAI Registration Certificate are not required to submit annual return. Only FSSAI Licensed FBOs involved in Manufacturing and Importing of Food Products are required to submit annual returns in Form D1.
Is it mandatory to mention FSSAI license/registration number on receipts/invoices/cash memo/bills etc. by food businesses on sale of food products?
Ans – Yes, it is mandatory to declare 14-digit FSSAI License or Registration number on cash receipts/ purchase invoices/cash memo /bills etc. by all food businesses. When any operator issues 2 transaction documents such as in case of transporters issuing transport challan/ Bill etc and an invoice, then FSSAI number needs to be mentioned on both documents.
What is the appropriate category, if I am getting my food products manufactured through third party manufacturers?
Ans – A food business operator getting his products manufactured from third party manufacturers shall apply for license under Relabeller Category.
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Disclaimer:- The entire contents of this document have been prepared on the basis of relevant provisions and rules and as per the information existing at the time of the preparation. Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, I assume no responsibility therefore. Users of this information are expected to refer to the relevant existing provisions of applicable Laws. The user of the information agrees that the information is not a professional advice and is subject to change without notice. I assume no responsibility for the consequences of use of such information.
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