Summary: In India, all entities involved in the food business, from preparation and processing to distribution and sale, are mandated to obtain an FSSAI license or registration, overseen by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The specific type of license required depends on the business’s annual turnover: Basic registration is for small businesses below Rs. 12 lakhs, upgrading to a State license is necessary upon exceeding this limit, which covers businesses with turnover between Rs. 12 lakhs and Rs. 20 crore. A Central license is required for large businesses with turnover over Rs. 20 crore, including importers and operators in specified government locations. The application process involves determining the correct license type, registering on the online FoSCoS portal, submitting the relevant application form with required documents such as identity, address, and business proofs, along with specific operational details for manufacturers, and paying the applicable annual fee, which varies by license type from ₹100 up to ₹7,500. The process may include an inspection before the license, valid for 1 to 5 years, is issued, typically within 7 days for Basic registration and up to 60 days for State and Central licenses; timely renewal is necessary.
Who required FSSAI License:
FSSAI registration is mandatory for anyone involved in the food business in India, regardless of the size or scale of operations.
This not only involves preparing food but everyone who handles food at various stages before it ultimately reaches the customer like raw materials, Manufacturing, processing, Mess, Canteen packing and the distribution as well as the agencies who have authority to sell them.
FSSAI is the supreme authority which is responsible for regulating and supervising the food safety. So, it is mandatory to take FSSAI as per the law.
BASIC FSSAI REGISTRATION
Small businesses or startups having annual turnover below Rs.12 lakhs can apply for basic FSSAI Food safety registration.
As operations scale up and turnover reaches Rs. 12 lakh bars, the basic registration will need to be upgraded to state license.
Documents Required for BASIC FSSAI REGISTRATION
1. Authorized person address proof
2. Passport size photo
3. Business name and address
4. Fssai declaration form
5. Nature of business details
STATE FSSAI REGISTRATION
Businesses having annual turnover between Rs.12 lakhs to 20 crore can apply for FSSAI state license.
Food business operators like small to medium-sized manufacturers, storage units, Transporters, Retailers, Restaurants Marketers, distributors etc. are however required to obtain the FSSAI State License Registration.
Document Required for STATE FSSAI REGISTRATION
1. Rental Agreement of Business Premises.
2. ID Proof of the Concerned Person (Aadhaar Card / Driving License / Passport / Voter ID)
3. If any Government Registration Certificates ( Company Incorporation Certificate / Firm Registration / Partnership Deed / Pan card / GST Registration Number / Shop and Establishment Registration / Trade License)
4. If the applicant is private limited company or partnership firm then they should provide MOA & AOA or Partnership deed copy
5. For applying State License any One of the following certificate is compulsory ( Trade license, Shop and Establishment Registration, Panchayath License, Corporation License , Municipality License )
6. Nature of Business.
7. Fssai declaration form
If you are applying for Manufacturing /Repacker category, please arrange below other documents.
1. Manufacturing unit photos
2. Plant Layouts.
3. Machinery details use for production in your company letterhead (Capacity & Horsepower details)
4. Product details in company Letter head.
CENTRAL FSSAI REGISTRATION
Businesses having annual turnover above 20 cr can apply for FSSAI central license.
Eligible food Business Operators like Importers, Manufacturers, operators in central government, Railways, airports, seaports, etc. need to take a Central FSSAI license from Food Standards and Safety Authority of India.
Document Required for CENTRAL FSSAI REGISTRATION
1.Rental Agreement of Business Premises.
2. ID Proof of the Concerned Person (Aadhaar Card / Driving License / Passport / Voter ID)
3. If any Government Registration Certificates ( Company Incorporation Certificate / Firm Registration / Partnership Deed / Pan card / GST Registration Number / Shop and Establishment Registration / Trade License)
4. If the applicant is private limited company or partnership firm, then they should provide MOA & AOA or Partnership deed copy.
5. IE Code (Import Export Code) Certificate. (for the category of export and import IE code is compulsory)
6. Authority letter from the company letterhead to the concerned person stating that he is authorized to file FSSAI application.
7. List of food category desired to be manufactured (In case of manufacturers).
If you are applying for manufacturing category, please arrange below other documents.
1. Manufacturing unit photos
2. Plant Layouts & Product details.
3. Machinery details use for production in your company letterhead (Capacity & Horsepower details)
4. In case if your business into mineral water plant then water test report compulsory.
Application Process
1. Determine the Type of License: Based on your business turnover and operation
2. Register on FoSCoS Portal:
a. Visit the FoSCoS portal
b. Create an account or log in if you already have one.
3. Fill the Application Form:
For Basic Registration: Fill Form A.
For State/Central License: Fill Form B.
4. Upload Required Documents: As per the list mentioned above.
5. Pay the Applicable Fee: Online payment through the portal.
6. Submit the Application: After submission, you’ll receive an application reference number for tracking.
7. Inspection (if required): An FSSAI officer may inspect your premises before granting the license.
8. License Issuance: Upon successful verification, the license will be issued.
Fee Structure
- Basic Registration: ₹100 per annum.
- State License: ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 per annum, depending on the nature and scale of the business.
- Central License: ₹7,500 per annum.
Processing Time
Basic Registration: Typically issued within 7 days.
State and Central Licenses: May take up to 60 days, including scrutiny and inspection.
VALIDITY
FSSAI licenses are valid for 1 to 5 years, as chosen by the Food Business Operator (FBO). It’s advisable to apply for renewal at least 30 days before the expiry date to avoid penalties.
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