The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare of India established the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), a self-governing body that oversees food safety and standards in India. By monitoring and regulating food safety in India, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) was established in accordance with the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006.
Operators of food businesses in India are issued licences by the FSSAI. Operators of different food businesses, such as merchants, manufacturers, and owners of food stores, must get an FSSAI licence. Let’s talk about the many FSSAI registration kinds and processes that will help company owners as FSSAI registration is equally crucial for food industry operators.
FSSAI Registration Process
Steps for FSSAI Registration
Step 1: Food business operators need to register them with the Registration Authority by submitting registering fee of Rs. 100/- for one year
Step 2: Food service operators after registering are required to fill in the application form ‘Form A’ with fee of Rs. 100/-
Step 3: After form submission, applicant shall receive a 14 digit Unique Application Reference Number
Step 4: Within 7 days of form submission, Registering Authority (RA) shall issue the registration certificate or reject the application, depending on their verification and observation
Step 5: Food business operator may start the business once he/she receives approval certificate from the Registering Authority
Step 6: If required, RA may issue notice for inspection and the order shall be given within 7 days
Step 7: Inspection will be done in 30 days and post that Food Business Operator can start the business
Information required to be submitted in the registration form
Name of the applicant, company, address, email address, mobile number, user ID, password and lastly agreeing on the terms of use of Food Licensing & Registration System (FLRS).
FSSAI Registration Eligibility
- Food Business Operators with an annual turnover of more than Rs. 12 lakh
- Applicants dealing on food products only
- SSIs dealing in food business
- Food operators manufacturing and selling food products by his/her own
| Business | Capacity |
| Food production capacity (milk and meat items not included) | Up to 100 kg/litre per day |
| Collection, handling and procurement of milk | Up to 500 litres/day |
| Slaughtering Capacity | 2 large animals or 10 small animals or 50 poultry birds per day |
Documents Required for FSSAI Registration
- Duly filled and signed application form
- Passport-sized photographs
- Identity proof of Applicant (Food Business Operator)
- Proof of property ownership
- Address Proof
- Business Address Proof
- Rent Agreement
- Food safety management system plan
- List of food items to be used
- Certificate of incorporation
| Fee Structure | |||
| Types/Category | Registration -1 year | Central – 1 year | Railways – 1 year |
| New Application | Rs. 100 | Rs. 7500 | Rs. 2000 |
| Renewal Application | Rs. 100 | Rs. 7500 | Rs. 2000 |
| License/Certificate Modification | Rs. 100 | Rs. 7500 | Rs. 2000 |
| Duplicate Certificate/License | 10% of the applicable certificate fee | 10% of the applicable license fee | 10% of the applicable certificate fee |
Note: The validity of the FSSAI license and certificate is of 5 years.
Types of FSSAI Licenses
FSSAI License Registration is categorized under three categories as mentioned below:
- a) FSSAI Basic Registration
Annual turnover below Rs. 12 lakh for food businesses
- b) FSSAI State License
Annual turnover more than Rs. 12 lakh but below Rs. 20 crore for food businesses
- c) FSSAI Central License
Annual turnover more than Rs. 20 crore for food businesses
Procedure to get FSSAI License
Food business operators may visit https://www.fssailicense.org/#procedure to apply for an FSSAI licence and fill out all the necessary information, including their company name, email address, cellphone number, address, kind of business, and zip code. After providing all necessary information, the applicant must click “Validate and Pay” to pay the licencing cost. Five tabs containing the costs and certificate validity will show once you click “Validate and Pay.” To obtain the FSSAI License online, click on the relevant page and make the required payment.
FSSAI License Fee
- Validity of 5 years: Rs. 5000
- Validity of 4 years: Rs. 4200
- Validity of 3 years: Rs. 3400
- Validity of 2 years: Rs. 2700
- Validity of 1 year: Rs. 2000
The registration and licensing procedure and requirements are regulated by Food Safety & Standards (Licensing and Registration of food Business) Regulations, 2011.
Penalties
| Offence | Public Entities Covered | Fine |
| Quality issue with the products | Seller | Rs. 2 lakh |
| Misbranded food products | – | Rs. 3 lakh |
| Misleading information or advertisement | Publisher or people involved in publishing | Rs. 10 lakh |
| Sub-standard Food | Manufacturer, Importer, Seller and Distributor | Rs. 5 lakh |
| Not complying with FSO | FBO or importer | Rs. 2 lakh |
| Unsanitary or unhygienic processing or manufacturing | Processor or Manufacturer | Rs. 1 lakh |
| Food Containing inessential items | Manufacturer, Importer, Seller and Distributor | Rs. 1 lakh |
FAQs
What is FSSAI?
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a self-governing entity that is formed under Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India to promote and protect people’s health via regulation and supervision of food safety.
Which law is applicable to FSSAI License?
Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 is the law that covers FSSAI.
Is FSSAI code or registration number alphanumeric or alphabetical?
The 14 digit FSSAI code is neither alphanumeric nor alphabetical; it is numeric in nature.
I own businesses in different states, so do I require multiple licenses or one license shall be enough?
For every single state, separate license number is required, so yes you require different licenses for operating your business in various states.
What if someone does not obey the terms and conditions or rules defined by FSSAI?
FSSAI can hold, acquire or dispose of the property both movable and immovable. Hefty penalties can be imposed and several other strict actions can be taken, if someone disobeys their rules and regulations.
Is it mandatory to display FSSAI logo and license number on any food item?
Yes, it is compulsory to display FSSAI logo and license number on the label of food products.
