How to Register and Apply for FSSAI License

The Food Safety and Standards Association of India (FSSAI) was founded in 2008 and is governed by the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006. In India, the Food Safety and Standards Act is a consolidated act governing food safety and regulation.

Also, Read- FSSAI Registration

The FSSAI, whose parent organisation is the Ministry of Health and Family Affairs, is primarily concerned with the protection and promotion of public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety.

The FSSAI has six regional offices in Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, Cochin, and Guwahati, in addition to its headquarters in New Delhi.

A non-executive chairperson with a rank equal to or higher than that of the Secretary to the Government of India is appointed by the Central Government.

Why should you/do you need to register with the FSSAI?

To begin, anybody who owns or operates a food business (i.e., a Food Business Operator) must register with the FSSAI or obtain a licence. Extremely small enterprises, on the other hand, are exempt from this requirement if they register with the food authority. The following are some of the main reasons why you should register with the FSSAI:

• FSSAI registrations improve a company’s credibility by increasing the consumer’s trust in the food item in terms of food safety and quality.

• It contributes to the advancement of food innovation.

• It aids in the removal of many regulations associated with gaining permissions.

• It facilitates trade without jeopardising people’s safety concerns ( i.e., consumers).

What are the eligibility requirements for FSSAI registrations?

There are three main categories, depending on the size of your company’s annual turnover. They are categorised as follows:

Basic Registration:  For companies with a minimum yearly revenue of Rs. 12 lakhs.

State License: For companies with yearly revenues ranging from Rs. 12 lakhs to Rs. 20 crores.

Central Licence: For companies having an annual revenue of more than Rs. 20 crores.

The first category is the only one that can be registered under the FSSAI, while the other two require licences. Before we go any further, it’s important to understand how these three categories differ from one another.

• A simple registration is for small firms, and no FSSAI Licence number will be issued because the product is only registered rather than licenced.

• Larger enterprises, on the other hand, must be licenced and are granted a 14-digit FSSAI Registration Number that can be printed on the back of the product.

• Regardless of which category your firm fits into, you would be allowed to sell your items across the country.

How can I register with the FSSAI?

It is rather simple to register with the FSSAI. However, given the importance of the matter, the following are the measures to follow in order to effectively register your firm with the FSSAI:

Step One: 

Before you can register, you must first determine which category your company belongs to (click here for the categories of businesses that require a basic license, for categories of businesses that require a state licence click here , and click here for categories of businesses that require a Central License). This is the most important stage because it defines the type of licence you require.

Step Two: 

If you want to register with the FSSAI, you’ll need a few documents. The kind of documentation you require will be determined by your registration/license category. In general, you’ll require the following documents:

For a Basic Registration, the following documents are required:

• applicant’s most recent passport-sized photos

• Proof of identification (voter ID card or Aadhaar Card)

• PAN Card (Personal Identification Number)

• Proof of address (phone or cell phone bill/electricity or gas bill)

• a copy of the property documents (if owned)

• a copy of the lease agreement and a letter from the landlord (if rented)

Documents required for a State/Central License include the following:

• The proprietor/partner or authorised signatory must complete and sign (in triplicate) Application Form-B.

• The processing unit’s blueprint or layout plan in full size, with a designated space for operations activities.

• The following is a list of directors, along with their entire addresses and contact information.

• In the case of manufacturing/processing units, the name and list of equipment and machinery, as well as the installed capacity

• The competent government authority issues a photo ID and evidence of address (Optional)

• The following is a list of food categories that will be manufactured (For manufacturers only)

• The name and letter of the responsible person nominated by the manufacturer, as well as the alternative responsible person, are included in the authority letter.

• An analysis report (chemical and bacteriological) of the water to be used as an ingredient in the food product, conducted by a government-approved food testing laboratory.

• Possession of the premises must be proven (Could be a sale deed, rent agreement, electricity bill etc)

• The partnership deed/affidavit/memorandum, as well as the articles of organisation, establish the firm’s constitution.

• Copies of certificates received under the Co-operative Acts are available upon request (In case of co-operatives only)

• In the event of re-labellers, a letter of authorization from the manufacturer is required (If any)

• For milk and milk products processing facilities, a source of milk or a procurement plan is required (Including details of the milk collection centres)

• Details on where meat and meat processing plants get their raw materials.

• Pesticide residues report of water from a government recognised lab in the case of a manufacturer of packaged drinking water, mineral water, or carbonated water.

• Recall plan, if needed, with information on who distributes the product (Optional)

• Except in cases where the unit is constructed in a recognised industrial area for a specific food industry, NOCs from the municipality or local authority and the State Pollution Control Board are required (Optional)

Step Three:

 The actual registration under the FSSAI is a reasonably straightforward procedure. To begin, if you are applying for a basic registration, you must complete Form A and submit it to the registration authority, together with a self-declaration form stating that you will follow the food and safety rules. If you fall into the second category, which means you’ll need a state/central licence, you’ll need to fill out Form B.

Step Four: 

After you’ve submitted your registration, the appropriate authority will check your business and authorise it if they believe it complies with the required requirements.

Step Five: 

The authorised authorities will issue your registration certificate after everything is completed.

Conclusion

Everywhere in the world, food security and safety are key concerns. Because food is a need, it must always be safe and suited for eating. Any compromise here might have disastrous effects. In order to prevent these tragedies, the FSSAI has made it mandatory for all food-related businesses to register or obtain a fssai licence. Being on the right side of the law is always a good idea. So, if you’ve always wanted to start a food business, go ahead and do it.

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