FSSAI License and FSSAI Registration in India
If you run a food business in India, in any form, big or small, you already know that FSSAI is not something you can skip. Whether you are opening a small tiffin service from your kitchen or setting up a full-fledged manufacturing unit, an FSSAI licence is the one document that decides whether you can legally sell food in this country. In this blog, I am breaking down everything you need to know about FSSAI registration and FSSAI licence in India, in plain language, so you do not have to go digging through government portals to make sense of it.
What is an FSSAI Licence in India
FSSAI stands for the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, the body set up under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, to regulate everything related to food safety in the country. An FSSAI licence is basically the government's stamp of approval that your food business meets hygiene, safety, and quality norms. Every food business entity, be it a roadside stall operator to the biggest exporter of food items, requires FSSAI registration or an FSSAI license in order to be able to conduct its activities legally.
After you complete the FSSAI registration process, you are allotted a 14-digit FSSAI license number that you are required to put on your food product packaging along with displaying it at your place of business. It is the license number that indicates whether your food business entity is complying with the food safety laws or not.
FSSAI License – Who Must Apply
Basically, almost everyone who deals with food in one way or the other must get a FSSAI license. Manufacturers, packers, restaurants, cafes, cloud kitchen, caterers, dairy plant, importers & exporters, retailer, wholesaler, transporter, and even home-based business-like pickles manufacturer or baker. As long as your activity involves any kind of food in any phase of the process, you require FSSAI registration or license.
Types of FSSAI License
Requirement of FSSAI license varies according to the nature and turnover of your business entity. There are three categories:
1. Basic FSSAI Registration
This is meant for small food businesses with an annual turnover up to Rs. 12 lakh. Petty vendors, small manufacturers, and home based food sellers usually fall in this bracket.
2. State FSSAI Licence
If your turnover is between Rs. 12 lakh and Rs. 20 crore, you need a State FSSAI licence. This covers mid-sized restaurants, regional food chains, and medium manufacturing units.
3. Central FSSAI Licence
Businesses with a turnover above Rs. 20 crore, or those involved in import and export, operations at airports and seaports, or working across multiple states, must apply for FSSAI central licence.
Some categories of business need a central licence regardless of turnover, such as importers and exporters of food products, businesses functioning inside central government premises or airports and seaports, and e-commerce food businesses.
Documents Required for FSSAI Licence
There are certain differences in the documents to be submitted for food license registration depending on the particular category of business you belong to, but this can give you a fair idea about them.
For Basic Registration, you will need:
- Proof of identity of the business owner (Aadhar, PAN, Voter ID, or Passport)
- One Passport Size Photograph
- Proof of business premises like Rent Agreement or Electricity Bill
Apart from that, for State Licence, you will need:
- Layout Plan of the Processing/Making Plant
- Details of Directors or Partners and Photo ID
- List of machinery and equipment used
- Food safety Management Plan
All of the above plus the following will be required for Central Licence:
- Import Export Code (IEC) by DGFT
- NOC or PA document by FSSAI
- Form IX or Board Resolution Nomination of Authorised Person (If applicant is a company)
- Certificate by Ministry of Tourism if hotel business is run
As the list of documents required for the FSSAI licence keeps changing from time to time, it is always advisable to refer to the most recent list at the FoSCoS portal or take the help of FSSAI license agents who are expert in filing these kinds of applications.
Process of Obtaining FSSAI Licence
Here is how the FSSAI licence apply online process generally works.
Step 1: Categorize the company.
Depending on the type of your business activities and income generated by it, you will have to choose among Basic Registration, State Licence, or Central Licence.
Step 2: Register on the FSSAI portal.
Head to the FoSCoS portal (Food Safety Compliance System) and create your login credentials.
Step 3: Select your business type.
FSSAI has predefined categories such as manufacturer, retailer, transporter, caterer, and so on. Pick the one that fits your business.
Step 4: Submit the Application Form
Fill out Form A if registration is needed and Form B for getting the license. Include all details of your business and mention the food product code.
Step 5: Add Necessary Documents
Attach the documents required to obtain an FSSAI license according to your category, including ID proof, address proof, and food safety management declaration.
Step 6: Make the payment of government charges
After submission of form and documents, you have to make payments, which depend on the type of licence and validity period.
Step 7: Approval process
The concerned authority will check your application and after conducting an inspection, issues FSSAI licence to you.
Cost of FSSAI Licence
The cost of FSSAI licence is dependent upon the type of category as well as years of registration. As a rough guide, Basic Registration costs around Rs. 100 per year, State Licence fees range roughly between Rs. 2,000 and Rs. 5,000 per year depending on business type, and Central Licence costs about Rs. 7,500 per year. These are government fees, and if you choose to apply through an FSSAI licence agent or a compliance service provider, professional charges get added on top.
How Long Does FSSAI Licence Registration Take
Timelines vary by category. Basic Registration is the quickest method that usually takes about 7 to 10 days. It takes 30 days to receive State Licence, while the time needed to get Central Licence can take up to 60 days due to extra research and inspection in most cases.
Reasons Why You Should Not Delay your FSSAI Licence Application
Operating without proper FSSAI registration or licence in the food industry is a crime in India that carries fine up to 5 lakhs and even imprisonment in some cases. Additionally, obtaining FSSAI licence also means gaining your customers' confidence as today people check whether there is the FSSAI stamp on food product or facility before buying it.
Should You Apply Yourself or Use an FSSAI Licence Agent
You can absolutely apply for FSSAI licence on your own through the FoSCoS portal. But between compiling the documents required for FSSAI licence, choosing the correct business category, and following up on queries raised by the department, many business owners prefer working with an FSSAI licence agent. A good agent will take care of all documentation, keep track of your application and make sure there are no problems that can cause delays in your FSSAI licence certificate.
FSSAI Licence Renewal
It is important to know that your FSSAI Licence is not just for a once off. This Licence is valid for anywhere between 1 and 5 years. You have to apply for its renewal before it expires, otherwise you might be subject to some fees for late renewal. Operating under an expired Licence will bring you right back to square one.
Frequently Asked Questions on FSSAI Licence
1. What is the difference between FSSAI registration and FSSAI licence?
FSSAI registration is for small businesses with turnover under Rs. 12 lakh, while an FSSAI licence, State or Central, is required once your turnover crosses that limit.
2. Can I apply for FSSAI licence online?
Yes, the entire FSSAI licence apply online process can be completed through the FoSCoS portal without visiting any office.
3. How do I know which FSSAI licence I need?
It depends on your annual turnover and the nature of your business. Small vendors fall under Basic Registration, mid-sized businesses need a State Licence, and large scale or multi-state operations require a Central Licence.
4. Is FSSAI registration compulsory for home-based food businesses?
Yes, even home-based food sellers, such as those making pickles, snacks, or baked goods, need FSSAI registration.
5. What happens if I run my food business without an FSSAI certificate?
You risk penalties of up to Rs. 5 lakh and potential imprisonment, along with the possibility of your business being shut down.
6. How long is an FSSAI licence valid?
The period for which it can be granted varies from 1 year to 5 years depending upon how much you choose during the time of application.
7. Can a single FSSAI Central Licence be applicable to multiple locations?
An FSSAI Central License can be applied to multiple states at the time of registration; however, the same cannot be done by the state and basic licenses.
Conclusion
Obtaining your FSSAI License is your first step towards legitimizing your food business in India. Not only does it provide the legal authorization, but it also protects you from constant threat of penalty or shutdown. If the process feels like too much to handle alongside actually running your business, CorpZo's team can take the FSSAI registration and licensing process off your hands, from document collection to filing and follow up, so you can focus on what you do best.