The government set up the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to regulate the food industry in India. The food that we consume directly impacts our health and therefore, it is important that the food products are regulated as to their safety and quality. Food operators and businesses are required to apply for FSSAI license to operate a food business in India. But is it applicable to all the food businesses? Let’s find out!
FSSAI Registration – An Overview
The FSSAI governs and monitors the entire food business industry in India and functions as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. It is the approving authority for the FSSAI license and registration of food businesses. Any food business that fails to meet the quality standards in India can face strict penal action from the FSSAI, including cancellation of FSSAI registration and license.
Types of FSSAI Registration
- FSSAI Registration: Food Business Operators (FBOs) having turnover of less than Rs. 12 lakhs per annum are required to obtain basic FSSAI registration by filing a registration application in Form A.
- FSSAI State License: FBOs having turnover above Rs. 12 lakhs per annum but less than Rs. 20 crores per annum are required to apply for FSSAI State License. Application for FSSAI state license shall be filed in Form B.
- FSSAI Central License: FBOs having turnover of more than Rs. 20 crores per annum are required to apply for FSSAI Central License. The application for FSSAI central license shall be filed in Form B.
Procedure for FSSAI Registration
- FBOs shall file an application for FSSAI registration on the FSSAI portal either in Form-A or Form-B depending upon the form applicable. The form shall be accompanied by the relevant documents.
- The department will scrutinise the application along with the documents submitted. They can conduct an inspection of the food premises before granting the FSSAI certificate.
- The department shall decide on the approval or rejection within 7 days of receipt of the application.
- If the department is satisfied with the application, then it shall grant the FSSAI registration certificate or license bearing the registration number and details of the applicant.
- The FSSAI registration certificate or license should be prominently displayed at the business place.
Who is Required to Obtain FSSAI Certificate?
- Retail shops and petty retailers like bakery shops, snack shops etc.
- Hawkers selling food
- Daily food units like milk vendors, milkmen, milk chilling units etc.
- Temporary or fixed food stalls involved in the preparation, distribution and selling of food or food products
- Restaurants, hotels and bars
- Food vending agencies
- Caterers
- Vegetable oil processing units
- Slaughtering houses like chicken shops, meat shops, mutton shops etc.
- Fish and meat processing units
- Supplier, wholesaler, marketer or distributor of food products
- Refrigerated or cold storage facility
- Transporter of food products
- Novel food and proprietary food
- Food processing and manufacturing units, including those involved in repackaging of food
- Cafeterias and canteens, including mid-day meal canteens
- Banquet halls with food catering arrangements, dhabas, PGs providing food, home based canteens and food stalls operating in religious institutions and fairs
- Exporters and importers of food items
- E-commerce food suppliers, including cloud kitchens
Eligibility for FSSAI Registration
- FBOs having annual turnover up to Rs. 12 lakhs
- Petty retailers dealing in food products
- Persons who produce, manufacture or sell food articles by themselves
- Temporary stall holder doing food sale
- Persons distributing food in social or religious gatherings, except caterers
- Cottage or small-scale industries having food business
- Small businesses operating with the following capacities:
|
Sr. No. |
Business |
Capacity |
|
1 |
Vending machine |
Up to 12 vending machines per state or union territory |
|
2 |
Procurement, collection and handling of milk |
Up to 500 liters per day |
|
3 |
Food production (except milk and meat) |
Up to 100 kgs / liters per day |
|
4 |
Slaughtering |
Up to 10 small animals or 2 large animals or 50 poultry birds per day |
|
5 |
Transportation |
Single vehicle |
Eligibility for FSSAI State License
- FBOs having turnover exceeding Rs. 12 lakhs but up to Rs. 20 crores (Rs. 30 crores in case of wholesalers and transportation business)
- Units of grains, pulses and cereal milling without any limit of the capacity of production
- Medium scale businesses operating with the following limits:
|
Sr. No. |
Business |
Capacity |
|
1 |
Vending machine |
Up to 100 vending machines per state or union territory |
|
2 |
Procurement, collection and handling of milk |
501 liters to 50,000 liters per day |
|
3 |
Food production (except milk and meat) |
1 metric tonne to 2 metric tonnes per day |
|
4 |
Slaughtering |
11-150 small animals or 3-50 large animals or 51-1000 poultry birds per day |
|
5 |
Transportation |
100 vehicles |
|
6 |
Storage |
Up to 10,000 metric tonnes |
|
7 |
Hotel |
With 1, 2, 3- and 4-star rating |
Eligibility for FSSAI Central License
- FBOs having turnover above Rs. 20 crores (Rs. 30 crores in case of wholesalers and transportation business)
- Below businesses irrespective of the size of business or turnover:
- Food businesses operating in 2 or more states
- Exporters and importers
- Non-specified food and proprietary food
- Nutraceuticals and food or health supplements
- Radiation processing of foods
- Food business activities on the premises of the agencies of the Central Government
- E-commerce food business
- Restaurants, hawkers, caterers, canteens or petty retailers operating at railway station premises
- Large scale businesses operating with the following limits:
|
Sr. No. |
Business |
Capacity |
|
1 |
Vending machine |
More than 100 vending machines situated in 2 or more states or union territories |
|
2 |
Procurement, collection and handling of milk |
More than 50,000 litres per day |
|
3 |
Food production (except milk and meat) |
More than 2 metric tonnes per day |
|
4 |
Slaughtering |
More than 150 small animals or more than 50 large animals or more than 1000 poultry birds per day |
|
5 |
Transportation |
More than 100 vehicles |
|
6 |
Storage |
More than 10,000 metric tonnes |
|
7 |
Hotel |
5-star rating and above |
Documents Required for FSSAI Registration
- Identity proof of the applicant
- Certificate of constitution of business i.e., partnership deed, certificate of incorporation or certificate of Shops and Establishments Act etc.
- Proof of address of the business establishment
- Food safety management system plan
- Bank details
- List of food products processed or manufactured
- Any other supporting document
Also, Check "Key registrations to start an import export business in India"
How Exim Advisory Can Help?
If you are also a food business operator, then you need to apply for FSSAI license in order to operate your food business without any hassle. Here’s how the Exim Advisory can help you in this regard:
- Determining the applicability of FSSAI Certificate based on the nature of your activities, scale of business and turnover
- Gathering of all the documents required to apply for FSSAI registration
- Preparation and filing of FSSAI registration application
- Liaising with the FSSAI authorities for prompt resolution of any queries and objections
- Assistance in handling post registration compliance, including guidance and consultation on how to stay compliant with the FSSAI rules and regulations
- Handling in renewal of FSSAI registration and application
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is eligible for FSSAI registration?
A: FSSAI registration is required by any person who is operating as a food business operator in India, irrespective of whether he is a caterer, distributor, seller or manufacturer of food products.
Q: Is the FSSAI license mandatory for small businesses?
A: Yes. Small businesses operating in the food industry are required to obtain FSSAI registration based on their turnover. If the turnover is less than Rs. 12 lakhs, they shall apply for basic FSSAI registration. If their turnover exceeds Rs. 12 lakhs (but is below Rs. 20 crores), then they shall apply for FSSAI state license.
Q: Which are the three types of FSSAI licenses?
A: The three types of FSSAI Certificate are FSSAI registration, FSSAI state license and FSSAI central license. The type of license applicable depends upon the turnover of the business and the nature of activities being undertaken.
Q: What are FSSAI Registration fees?
A: The FSSAI Certificate fees applicable depend upon the type of FSSAI registration you are applying for and the nature of your activities. Consulting a professional expert will help you obtain a detailed understanding of the FSSAI registration process and fees applicable.