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Food Safety License (FSSAI) Registration Consultants in India

Food license registration refers to the process of obtaining necessary permits and licenses required to operate a food business legally.

Food License (FSSAI) Registration in India

FSSAI Registration Consultants

FSSAI Stands for “Food Safety and Standard Authority of India. FSSAI is an Independent organization under the Ministry of Health. FSSAI Registration is mandatory for every individuals or entity that is eligible for an Food Safety Registration or License. Maintaining the food quality levels in order to ensure safety and providing satisfaction to every consumer is the aim of every Food Business Operator. Food safety and standards authority of India (FSSAI Registration) plays an important role in formulating the controlling procedures.

Types of Food license

In India, there are three main types of food licenses, which are issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which is the regulatory authority responsible for ensuring the safety and quality of food products consumed by the public. FSSAI mandates that all food business operators obtain the necessary food licenses based on the scale and nature of their operations.

  1. Basic Food license Registration
  2. State Food license Registration
  3. Central Food license Registration

Basic Food license Registration

Basic registration is a type of food license issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for small food businesses operating within a limited scale. This registration is suitable for businesses with an annual turnover of up to ₹12 lakhs and is aimed at ensuring the safety and quality of food products for consumption.

Basic Food license Registration Criteria

  1. Annual turnover of the food business does not exceed ₹12 lakhs.
  2. Small-scale food businesses, including petty manufacturers, storage units, transporters, retailers, marketers, distributors, and caterers.
  3. Food business operates within a single state.

Documents Required for Basic Registration

  1. Passport-sized photograph of the applicant.
  2. Identification proof of the applicant, such as Aadhaar card, Voter ID, PAN card, etc.
  3. Address proof of the business, such as electricity bill, water bill, lease agreement, etc.
  4. List of food products to be dealt with.
  5. In case of partnerships, a copy of the partnership deed.
  6. Copy of the certificate obtained under the Co-operative Act, if applicable.
  7. Self-declaration of the food safety management system.
  8. Nomination form with details of the designated person in case of the sole proprietor, partner, or authorized signatory for the business.

State Food license Registration

The State License is a type of food license issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for medium-sized food businesses operating within a single state in India. This license is applicable to businesses with an annual turnover exceeding ₹12 lakhs but not exceeding ₹20 crores.

State Food license Registration Criteria

  1. Annual turnover of the food business exceeds ₹12 lakhs but does not exceed ₹20 crores.
  2. Medium-sized food businesses, including manufacturers, storage units, transporters, retailers, marketers, distributors, and caterers operating within a single state.

Documents Required for State Food license

  1. Passport-sized photograph of the applicant.
  2. Identification proof of the applicant, such as Aadhaar card, Voter ID, PAN card, etc.
  3. Address proof of the business, such as electricity bill, water bill, lease agreement, etc.
  4. List of food products to be dealt with.
  5. Partnership deed, if the applicant is a partnership firm.
  6. Certificate of registration or incorporation of the company, if applicable.
  7. Food safety management system plan and certificate of compliance.
  8. Nomination form with details of the designated person for the business.

Central Food license Registration

A Central License is a type of food license issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for large-scale food businesses operating at a national level in India. This license is mandatory for businesses with an annual turnover exceeding ₹20 crores. The Central License is required for food importers, large manufacturers, exporters, 100% export-oriented units, and businesses operating in multiple states.

Central Food license Criteria

  1. Annual turnover of the food business exceeds ₹20 crores.
  2. Large-scale food businesses, including importers, exporters, manufacturers, distributors, and 100% export-oriented units operating across multiple states.

Documents Required for Central Food license

  1. Passport-sized photograph of the applicant.
  2. Identification proof of the applicant, such as Aadhaar card, Voter ID, PAN card, etc.
  3. Address proof of the business, such as electricity bill, water bill, lease agreement, etc.
  4. List of food products to be dealt with.
  5. Certificate of registration or incorporation of the company.
  6. Food safety management system plan and certificate of compliance.
  7. List of directors, partners, or proprietors of the business.
  8. NOC from the Municipality or Panchayat, if applicable.
  9. Import-export code issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), if applicable.

Renewal of food license

Renewal of a food license refers to the process of extending the validity period of the existing Food license to continue conducting food-related activities legally. All food businesses in India are required to renew their Food license before the expiry date to ensure compliance with food safety regulations. Process

  1. The food business owner needs to initiate the renewal process well before the expiry date of the existing license.
  2. The application for renewal can be submitted online on the FSSAI website or through the Food Licensing and Registration System (FLRS) portal.
  3. The applicant needs to fill in the renewal application form with updated information about the business.
  4. Any necessary documents or updates required by the FSSAI need to be provided during the renewal process.
  5. After submission, the FSSAI authorities will review the renewal application and may conduct an inspection if required.
  6. Upon successful verification and inspection, the renewed Food license will be issued with an extended validity period.

Effect of Non-Renewal of Food License:

  1. Operating with an expired Food license is illegal and can lead to penalties, fines, or closure of the food business.
  2. The business may face legal consequences, including prosecution, for not complying with food safety regulations.
  3. Non-renewal of the Food license can damage the reputation of the business and lead to loss of consumer trust.

Documents Required for Renewal

  1. Copy of the existing Food license.
  2. Updated food safety management system plan.
  3. Any additional documents required for license renewal as specified by the FSSAI.

Modification of food license

Modification of a food license refers to making changes or updates to the existing Food license due to any alterations in the business operations, the food products dealt with, or any other relevant information. Food businesses are required to inform the FSSAI about any modifications to their license to ensure compliance with food safety standards.

Modification Process

  1. The food business owner needs to identify the necessary modifications to be made in the existing Food license.
  2. The application for modification can be submitted online on the FSSAI website or through the Food Licensing and Registration System (FLRS) portal.
  3. The applicant needs to fill in the modification application form with the updated information regarding the changes to be made.
  4. Any supporting documents or proofs related to the modifications need to be attached with the application.
  5. The FSSAI authorities will review the modification application and may conduct an inspection if required.
  6. Upon successful verification of the modifications, the updated Food license reflecting the changes will be issued.

Documents Required

  1. Copy of the existing Food license.
  2. Updated information/documents related to the modification (e.g., changes in business operations, product list, location, etc.).
  3. Any additional documents specified by the FSSAI for the modification process.

It is essential for food businesses to promptly inform the FSSAI about any modifications to their license to ensure transparency and compliance with food safety regulations. By following the specified process and providing the necessary documents, businesses can efficiently update their Food license as required to reflect changes in their operations.

Food License Annual Return

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) requires food businesses to file an Annual Return to report their business activities related to food products and ensure compliance with food safety regulations. The Annual Return is a mandatory filing that provides an overview of the business operations and helps in monitoring and maintaining food safety standards.

Process of Filing Annual Return for Food License:

  1. The food business owner needs to gather the necessary information and data related to their business activities during the financial year.
  2. The Annual Return can be submitted online on the FSSAI website or through the Food Licensing and Registration System (FLRS) portal.
  3. The form for filing the Annual Return will require details such as business operations, turnover, categories of food products handled, import/export activities, etc.
  4. The business owner needs to ensure accurate and up-to-date information is provided in the Annual Return form.
  5. After submission, the FSSAI authorities will review the Annual Return filing and may follow up for any additional information or clarification if required.
  6. Once accepted and verified, the filing of the Annual Return is completed for the respective financial year.

Documents Required for Filing Annual Return for Food License:

  1. Relevant financial records and documents related to food business operations during the financial year.
  2. Details of turnover, categories of food products handled, import/export activities, etc.
  3. Any additional documents or information as required by the Food License (FSSAI) for the Annual Return filing.

Surrendering of Food license

Surrendering a food license refers to the process of voluntarily cancelling or relinquishing the existing Food license for a food business. There may be various reasons for surrendering a food license, such as closure of the business, change in ownership, or the business no longer dealing with food products. It is important to follow the proper procedure and inform the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) about the decision to surrender the license.

Process of Surrendering a Food License:

  1. The food business owner needs to decide to surrender the Food license and prepare for the process.
  2. The application for surrender can be submitted online on the FSSAI website or through the Food Licensing and Registration System (FLRS) portal.
  3. The applicant must fill in the surrender application form with all the relevant details and reasons for surrendering the license.
  4. Any supporting documents or proofs related to the surrender request may need to be provided.
  5. The FSSAI authorities will review the surrender application and may communicate with the applicant for verification or clarification.
  6. Once the surrender application is accepted and processed, the FSSAI will cancel the existing license and notify the business owner of the cancellation.

Documents Required for Surrendering a Food License:

  1. Copy of the existing Food license.
  2. Completed surrender application form with necessary details.
  3. Any additional documents or information requested by the Food License (FSSAI) for the surrender process.

It is important for food businesses to follow the proper procedure for surrendering the Food license to avoid any legal implications and ensure compliance with regulations. By submitting the surrender application with all the required information and documents, businesses can smoothly complete the process of relinquishing their food license.

FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions)

Steps involved in the food license registration procedure:

  1. Choosing the Type of Business
  2. Selecting the Food Category
  3. Determining the Type of License
  4. Completing the Documentation Process

The primary objective of every Food Business Operator is to uphold the standards of food quality, ensuring the safety and satisfaction of all consumers. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI Registration) plays a crucial role in developing the necessary protocols for regulation.

Depending on the size of the food business, there are different types of FSSAI registrations offered.

  • Basic Registration
  • State License
  • Central License

Small or petty FBOs can receive registrations if their annual turnover is less than Rs. 12 lakhs.

The Registering Authority, such as a Designated Officer or Food Safety Officer, grants these registrations.
The required files for registration include
Schedule-1 application is necessary for registration
An annual fee of Rs. 100/- is required
Proof of address and applicant's photograph are needed

If a Food Business Operator operates in multiple states, they must obtain a Central License for their registered Office/Head Office. Additionally, they need to obtain separate licenses/registrations for each unit based on the capacity/turnover from the relevant State/Central Licensing Authority.

The Licensing Officer has the authority to decline the application if the necessary information is not submitted within the designated 30-day timeframe.

FSSAI is the abbreviation for "Food Safety and Standard Authority of India." It is an independent organization under the Ministry of Health. Every individual or entity eligible for an FSSAI food safety registration or license must obtain FSSAI registration.

The issuance of Food license /Registration for food premises under Railways is carried out by the Railways Designated Officers/FSO who are duly notified by the Food Authority periodically.

The acquisition of a Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) license/registration is mandatory for all Food Business Operators (FBO), including medical stores.

There are multiple avenues through which consumers can reach out to FSSAI. They have the option to register their grievances and provide feedback regarding concerns about food safety. These concerns may include issues such as adulterated food, unsafe food, substandard food, labelling defects in food, and misleading claims and advertisements associated with different food products.

The fee for modifying a license is determined by the nature of the changes made. Any alteration that affects the information provided in the license certificate (Form C) necessitates the submission of a modification request along with a fee equal to the annual license fee. However, no fee is applicable for modifying non-Form C details.

FBOs have to have a turnover above Rs 20 crore (Rs 30 crore in case of transportation commercial enterprise and wholesaler)

Food companies working Is it obligatory to submit an annual return to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)? in or greater states.
Importers and exporters.
Proprietary meals and non-unique meals.
Food or fitness dietary supplements and Nutraceuticals.
The food undergoes radiation processing.
Food-related operations conducted within the premises of Central Government Agencies
Food service providers such as caterers, restaurants, canteens, hawkers, or small-scale retailers operating within railway station premises.
Online food businesses operating in the e-commerce industry.

Enterprises with significant food production capabilities, subject to specific capacity limits:

Food production (excluding milk and meat) - Over 2 million tons per day.
Acquisition, management, and gathering of milk - Over 50,000 litters per day.
Animal slaughter - Over 50 large animals or over 150 small animals or over 1,000 poultry birds per day.
Storage - Over 10,000 metric tons.
Transportation - Over 100 vehicles.
Hotel - Rating of five stars or higher.
Vending machine - More than one hundred merchandising machines positioned in or extra states/UTs.

All businesses engaged in the production, importation, exportation, or sale of food products are obligated to submit the FSSAI annual return.

The issuance of licenses to food business operators under airport/seaport premises is carried out by the APHO/PHO, as notified by the Food Authority. These licenses are obtained through the Online FLRS system, which is updated periodically by the Food Authority.

To ensure good food hygiene practices in restaurants as per FSSAI, it is important to follow certain guidelines. Firstly, the working area and equipment/utensils should be cleaned properly. Secondly, there should be a sufficient supply of safe drinking water. This water should be tested chemically and bacteriologically by a NABL accredited laboratory. Additionally, any ice or steam used should be made from the same portable water source. Lastly, it is crucial to adhere to FSSAI guidelines when handling and preparing raw materials.

The deadline for submitting the FSSAI annual return is June 30th.

You must obtain a separate license for each food product you sell.

When can they droop the license?
If a food service operator does not follow an improvement notice, their license may be revoked.

As per FSS Regulations 2011, a license can be valid for 1 to 5 years, depending on the choice of the Food Business Operator. The validity begins from the date the license is issued.

Transporters who have a turnover of less than 30 crore and own up to 100 wagons need an FSSAI State License. However, those with a turnover of more than 30 crore and own more than 100 wagons require an FSSAI Central License.

FSSAI REGISTRATION REQUIRED BUSINESS CATEGORY

Who Need Food Safety License

Food license registration, is mandatory for various types of food businesses in India. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulates and oversees food safety standards to ensure the quality and safety of food products available in the market. The following types of food businesses are required to obtain Food license: