FSSAI Licensing for Food Businesses

Overview of FSSAI Licensing for Food Businesses

FSSAI registration for petty food businesses is compulsory for small businesses, street vendors or home-based food sellers. FSSAI mandates Basic Registration for Food businesses in India with an annual turnover of up to ₹12 lakhs; State License for businesses with a turnover between ₹12 lakhs and ₹20 crores; and Central License for import and export firms and businesses with a turnover above ₹20 crores. FSSAI guidelines for food business operators outline the regulations that have to be followed while applying for licensing. These licenses ensure the FBOs comply with health and safety regulations and provide consumers with safe and hygienic food products.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has strict guidelines to ensure that food businesses operate safely and legally. These guidelines detail the licensing process, and the requirements FBOs (Food Business Operators) must meet. FBOs demonstrate their commitment to following food safety regulations and hygiene standards by obtaining a license. This, in turn, protects consumers by guaranteeing they receive safe and hygienic food products.

Introduction to FSSAI Licensing

FSSAI licensing is crucial for food business operators and individuals involved in the manufacturing and distribution of food products. As per Section 31(1) of the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006, a license from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is mandatory for all food businesses. All requirements for food licenses and registrations are governed by the Food Safety and Standards License and Registration of Food Business Regulations, 2011.

All states and union territories, including Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Gujarat, Goa, Odisha, Manipur, Delhi, Chandigarh, and Ladakh, now have a food safety complaint mechanism in place thanks to the FSSAI. It also outlines the licensing and registration procedures for premises like Indian railways.

The FSSAI Licensing Process

The FSSAI licensing procedure is quite complicated; it requires the applicant to file all the documents, adhere to the FSSAI standards to initiate the process. The applications can be filed on the official FSSAI website along with the required application forms, documents, and fees. Here is a complete outline of the FSSAI licensing process.

• Step 1: Filing Application Form-B
  It is crucial for the applicants to fill out the form and attach all the required documents, along with the government fee, to the official portal.
• Step 2: Procure an Unique Application Reference Number
  As soon as you file an application, a unique reference number is provided, this can be used for future reference.
• Step 3: Provide The Required Additional Information
  In the event of an incomplete application, it is crucial to provide the required additional documentation. After submitting the documentation, you will get a unique application ID.
• Step 4: Inspection
  After applying for your FSSAI license, the respective authorities will conduct an inspection on the premises. Before the inspection, adherence to all FSSAI hygiene regulations is mandatory. The officer will issue an inspection report.
• Step 5: Grant License
  If all the processes are completed effectively and without any glitches, a license is granted within 60 days of the application.
  Note: In some cases, authorities may provide an improvement notice asking you to work on hygiene and other aspects. Only after a complete inspection of the license as provided. In case of any cancellation, a fresh application has to be filed after 90 days.
  In order to simplify the whole process, Vakilsearch offers an easy, expert-assisted FSSAI licensing process. Our legal experts will make sure that you stay compliant with all the latest food safety and hygiene standards. Our team will also handle the filing of documents. Our professionals can provide you with hits in case of an officer visit.

Types of FSSAI License

Based on the annual turnover and the number of locations of the food business, three types of food licences are provided.

• License Type: FSSAI Basic Registration

  • Annual Turnover: Less than ₹12 lakhs
  • Application Form: Basic Registration Form

• License Type: FSSAI State License

  • Annual Turnover: Between ₹12 lakhs and ₹20 crores
  • Application Form: State License Form

• License Type: FSSAI Central License

  • Annual Turnover: Above ₹20 crore
  • Application Form: Central License Form (Form B)

Step-by-Step Application Procedure

You can manually apply for an FSSAI license on the FLRS website. The FSSAI developed the Food Licensing and Registration System (FLRS), an online tool designed to make it simple for Indian food business owners to apply for licenses and registration certificates online. Using this application, you can verify the status of your registration or license. The FLRS is used by five regional officers and two sub-regional offices of several state governments. Here are the details and outline of how to apply for a license through FLRS.

• Step 1: Visit the official website and login by selecting the option to apply for a license or registration fee
• Step 2: Select the option as per the requirement. Whether it is for obtaining a license or registering at railway airports or ports
• Step 3: Select the state and read the note. Read the group hits for different kinds of businesses. Select the kind of business and choose the category. Make sure to read the type of business definition provided, click the radio button, and proceed with the
• Step 4: Fill in Form A for registration and Form B for license. Enter all the applicant details, designation, kind of business address of the business, contact details, corresponding address, total number of years you want to apply, and type of license details as provided in the respective forms. Make sure to enter other details, then click save and next.
• Step 5: Upload the document and pay the fee. In the provided field, select and upload the document in the prescribed format. Pay the fees.
• Step 6: After paying the fees, a receipt will be generated with the 17-digit reference number. You can use this number to track the status of your application.

Documentation and Eligibility Criteria

Based on the type of FSSAI license required the following documents are mandatory for registration:

• Basic Registration

  • Identity proof of the applicant (Aadhar card, Voter ID, PAN card, passport, etc.)
  • Passport-sized photograph of the applicant
  • Proof of possession of premises (rent agreement, utility bill, etc.)

• State FSSAI License

  • Blueprint/layout plan of the processing unit
  • List of directors/partners/proprietor with address and contact details
  • Certificate of Incorporation/Partnership deed/Affidavit of proprietorship
  • NOC from the local municipality or Panchayat
  • Food Safety Management System plan or certificate
  • Source of raw material for meat and milk products

• Central FSSAI License

  • Blueprint/layout plan of the processing unit
  • List of directors/partners/proprietor with address and contact details
  • Certificate of Incorporation/Partnership deed/Affidavit of proprietorship
  • NOC from the local municipality or Panchayat
  • Food safety management system plan or certificate
  • Source of raw material for meat and milk products
  • Certificate from the Ministry of Tourism (for businesses involved in catering)
  • NOC from the FSSAI (for proprietary foods)
  • Analysis report of water to be used in the manufacturing process
  • Certificate of analysis for all additives to be used.

The Eligibility Criteria for FSSAI Licensing is Provided Below:

• Registration

  • Small-scale manufacturers, merchants, wholesalers, street vendors, hawkers, and temporary stall holders
  • Small food business with annual sales under ₹12 lakhs
  • A daily food production capacity of no more than 100 kg/ltr
  • Obtaining, managing, and gathering up to 500 litres of milk daily
  • A maximum of two large animals, ten small animals, or fifty poultry birds may be slaughtered each day.

• Central License

  • Dairy facilities selling over 50,000 liters of liquid milk each day or 2,500 MT of milk annually
  • Plants that process or produce vegetable oil and have an installed capacity more than 2 MT per day
  • per slaughterhouse is outfitted to kill at least 1000 poultry birds, 150 small animals, and 50 large animals per day
  • Meat processing facilities have the capacity to handle or process 150 MT of meat annually, or more than 500 kg of meat per day

• State License

  • Every FBO that isn't qualified for a central license or registration.
  • Milling units for grains, cereals, and pulses.

Compliance and Renewal of FSSAI License

It is crucial for food enterprises to stay compliant and must make sure that their FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) licenses are renewed on time. Following food safety, hygiene, and quality requirements requires abiding by the rules established by the Food Safety and Regulatory Authority (FSSAI) here is a detailed outline of the same:

• Maintaining Compliance

  FBO’s are required to always abide by the following rules:

  • Display a original copy of the license granted in Form C
  • Permit licensing authorities access to the premises as needed
  • Notify the authorities of any modifications to their operations
  • Hire a technical expert to oversee manufacturing or handling of the food products
  • Submit your Annual returns by May 31

• Renewal Process

  The food business operator may choose to extend the validity of the FSSAI license or registration for a maximum of five years. This time period is initiated from the date of the issues. The application for renewal of a registration or license has to be done using Form A or Form B under schedule. The deadline for submitting the application is thirty days before to the license's expiration date. License registration shall continue to be in force under the orders passed on the renewal application. Here is a clear outline for the renewal process.
  
  Go to the portal's main webpage and log in. Choose the renewable option to submit an application to have your license and registration renewed. Now a list of issued licenses and registrations for renewables will appear. Select your license application and click proceed. Now the website directs you to Form B. Certain stages of the form will be non-editable, including premises details, product selection, and other information, including communication details, except for the registered address. Send in all needed paperwork and make the necessary payments. After the payment, a 17-digit registration number will be generated. You can use it as approved in the future.