How to obtain FSSAI Registration in India?

FSSAI registration in India should be obtained by every food business operator. It is mandatory compliance, which ensures the safety of food products. FSSAI is a certificate issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to ensure food safety.

The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, is the administrative body for regulation of safety. The producer, traders, restaurant owners, or any other food-related entity need to obtain a 14-digit license number, which has to be printed on their food products.

What is the need to obtain a Food License in India?

The point of obtaining a food license is to make sure that the food products packed, sold, or traded by Food Business Operators stick to the quality standards prescribed by the FSSAI. The ultimate goal of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, therefore, is to reduce the chances of substandard products, food contamination and improve the accountability of manufacturers by issuing them a food license for food service.

What are the categories of FSSAI registration?

There are basically three kinds of food license according to the average turnover of the business operator-

Basic FSSAI Registration

This is for the entity whose turnover does not increase 12 lakhs per annum. Hawkers and vendors come under this category.

FSSAI State License

This is for the entity whose turnover is not less than 12 lakhs and not more than 20 crores annually.

Central FSSAI License

This is for the entity whose turnover is more than 20 crores for producing, trading, or storing the food products up to a specific limit prescribed by the law.

Who needs FSSAI registration in India?

The following individuals and entities are required to obtain the registration-

·         All types of food producer

·         Food storage and production units

·         Wholesalers

·         Food traders

·         Online food business operators

·         Raw food products suppliers

·         Exporter and importer of food products

·         Transporter of food products

·         Distributors of food products

What are the documents necessary for FSSAI Registration in India?

Basic Registration

·         An identity proof that consists of a photograph

·         Passport-sized photograph

State & Central License

·         Proof of address

·         Import/export registration

·         Passport-sized photograph

·         List of directors or partners

·         Certificate of incorporation

·         MoA and AoA

·         An identity proof that consists of a photograph

·         No Objection Certificate from the local municipality

Besides the above-listed documents, the following documents  are also required by the manufacturing units:

·         Blueprint of warehouse

·         List of all machinery

·         Report on water test

·         List of all food categories

What is the process for FSSAI registration in India?

The registration process for FSSAI registration areas follow-

• It is initiated by submitting Form A application to food and safety department.
•       The application can be accepted or rejected within seven days from the date of filing by the department stating the reason for rejection.
•      If the application is accepted, the food and safety department will grant the registration number with the photo identity of the applicant.
•      The food business operator will have to display the registration certificate during business hours

What is the validity of FSSAI Registration in India?

All food-related business owners should obtain a valid FSSAI Registration depending on the type of food license, i.e., FSSAI Registration, FSSAI State License, and  FSSAI Central License. The validity of an FSSAI Food license is for one or five years as selected by the food business operator.

What are the Consequences of Non-Compliance?

Registered or licensed person under the FSSAI has to comply with the rules and regulation under the Food and Safety Standards Act, 2006. Food safety officer regulates the inspection of the food business and identifies the level of compliance with the law using a checklist.

 Based on the compliance level, the food safety officer marks the compliance as:

• Compliance
• Non-compliance
• Partial compliance
• Not applicable 

The food safety officer might issue an improvement notice as per Sec 32 of the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006. If the business operator fails to comply with the notice, the officer may cancel his license. If any food business operator is offended by the improvement notice can appeal to the State Commissioner of Food Safety. The decision can be challenged by appealing to Food safety appellate tribunal or high court.

What is the Penalty for Non-Compliance?

Various penalty for non-compliances are listed below-

Particulars	Fine
Quality of food not in compliance with the act	Rs. 2 lakhs For petty manufacturer-Rs.  25,000/-
Sub-standard food	Rs.5 lakhs
Non-branded food	Rs.3 lakhs
Misleading advertisement	Rs.10 lakhs
Irrelevant material in food	Rs.1 lakh
Failure to comply with food safety officers direction	Rs.2 lakhs
Unhygienic processing and manufacturing	Rs.1 lakh

What is the need for renewal of the FSSAI License in India?

Every food businesses operate under the rules and regulations define under FSSAI Act 2006. Obtaining an FSSAI license is a must for every food business operator. Though, the majority of the population doesn’t know that getting FSSAI License renewal is equally important as that of getting an FSSAI license. It is essential to get FSSAI license renewal done within the stipulated period. Whether you are a processing unit or manufacturing unit or food packaging or distributing unit as an entrepreneur, you need to obtain an FSSAI license along with its renewal in every 1-5 years.

Why FSSAI came into existence?

• To promote public health.
• To spread awareness about food safety and nutrition in India.
• To ensure the compliance of rules and regulations framed by the authority.
• To check the quality of the food.
• To enforce the standards notified.

Conclusion

With the view to enhance the standard of food, the enforcement of the Food Safety and Standard Act is managed by the Food Safety Commissioners of the state with food safety officers. Food Registration guarantees high quality of the food, which can result in a high and stable customer base. Nowadays, people are very much aware of the foodstuff, whether they up to the quality standard or not.  For FSSAI registration in India, contact Corpbiz.