When does FSSAI License need to be acquired?

FSSAI is an abbreviation used for the Foods Safety and Standards Authority of India is an authorized body of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare of India to regulate and supervise the food-related activities.

FSSAI is a governing body regulated and governed through rules and laws passed the Food Safety and Standard Act 2006. FSSAI frames rules and regulations for monitoring the food-related issues in several ministries and departments of India.

Doing business in India, is full of compliances and restrictions and there always a need to get necessary license for different activities, for instance, say infrastructure business needs RERA approval, an establishment with manpower needs EPF/ESI License, Companies shall get COI, finance business needs NBFC license and so on. Similarly, if you are planning to get a food business in India, the entrepreneur must apply for a Food License through FSSAI online.  
  
FSSAI grants Food License to every kind of business dealing in activities related to food and beverages. Be it retail, wholesale, manufactures or import-export in India. New food operators can initiate their business once the authorities permit them through allotting Online Food License in India.
We have enumerated in-depth detail about FSSAI and its requirements in India henceforth.

Functions of FSSAI License in India

Since we know, FSSAI License is the authority monitoring the food business. Every food business such as canteen, restaurants, hotels, food trucks, food chains, dairies, etc. dealing with consumables needs food registration.

Online FSSAI License is a body responsible for performing various activities such as:                       

• FSSAI License lays down the rules and regulations for food articles and businesses with clear specifications of the appropriate system responsible for enforcing the standards.
• Lays down the structure and guidelines for the certification body to ensure that the Food Safety Management System is in place.
• Has laid down the process for conducting the test in labs along with setting up and recognizing test labs.
• Assisting state and the central government in framing policies having a direct influence on food safety and nutritional values of food products
• Collecting food consumption data to prevent biological risk and food contamination risk
• Creating National Information Network to provide quick and reliable data about food safety issues occurred which are a primary concern to public and consumers
• Providing necessary training to business and person engaged in food activities
• Promoting general awareness relating to food safety and health 

Types of FSSAI Registration

FSSAI license is categorized based on the volume and quantity of production and size of the business.

1.Basic Registration: Every small-scale food business must get basic registration who falls under the following categories such as:

• Annual turnover of less than INR 12 Lakhs
• A petty retailer who deals in food products
• Anyone who sales food in a temporary stall or food truck
• Small scale units with the following capacity:

1. Food production up to 100 Kg per day
2. Handling of milk up to 500 Liters per day
3. Slaughtering capacity of up to 2 large animals, 10 small animals, and 50 poultry animals

2. State FSSAI License: Apart from the entities eligible for Basic registration, all other entities must obtain the State/central License depending upon its capacity and turnover. Units with turnover exceeding INR 12 Lakhs annual turnover who are small to medium scale enterprises. Concerned state authority issue state license to food units registered in relevant districts or states.

3. Central FSSAI License: Food business with the turnover exceeding INR 20 Crore and indulge in import-export activities, manufacturing on a large scale, operators in airports, railways or central agencies, must apply for Central License.

The validity of FSSAI License/Registration in India

The validity of FSSAI License or registration depends upon the tenure you have applied for. The online application form gives an applicant an option to select the validity period for license ranging from One year to five years.

 Thus if the applicant has selected three years, license remains valid for three years which can be renewed further. For basic registration, fees for FSSAI License are INR 100 per year of validity. As per FSSAI standards, business units must apply before 30 days of expiry date otherwise penalty of INR 100 per day is charged for the days till which default continues.

Online FSSAI Registration Process in India

Online FSSAI Registration Process varies depending upon whether the applicant applied for License or registration; however, both
registrations can be done online through the official website of FSSAI.
We have enumerated steps in brief so that you can apply for the same if you willing to start a food business in India:

• Visit the official website of FSSAI and select "New Registration" for applying
• First Create login credential by entering basic details such as the name of an entrepreneur, category of business, email id, contact number, user-id and password which will also be forwarded on mail mentioned in basic details
• Enter those credential to initiate the filing of form
• Once the portal is logged in, the applicant has to select the capacity of manufacture and production through selecting the box besides the options
• Form by its default categorize your applicant amongst basic/state/central based on your selection of capacity
• Fill the complete form, upload a necessary document, and upload declaration by owner in case of basic registration declaring that their turnover doesn't exceed INR 12 Lakhs.
• Once the form is completed, the applicant can pay the fee through the online payment gateway
• Authority upon the receipt of application shall verify the same for its correctness and allot FSSAI registration certificate or license in case it found everything correct

Final Thought

If you are planning to operate a food business in India, hire FSSAI Registration Consultant to get the complete assistance on eligibility and requirements to be adhered to by the food operators. Corpbiz