A Brief Overview on how to Get Online FSSAI Central License in India

Food safety and quality are paramount when it comes to protecting public health. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) plays a crucial role in regulating and overseeing the food industry. As part of its regulatory framework, the FSSAI issues licenses to food businesses, and one such license is the FSSAI Central License in India. The FSSAI license is a mandatory requirement for any food business operator (FBO) in the country. Whether you are a small-scale food vendor or a large food manufacturer, obtaining an FSSAI central license in India is crucial to comply with food safety regulations and building trust with consumers. In this article, we are going to read all about the registration procedure for the FSSAI Central License in India.

Overview

Any person (natural or artificial) involved in food business activities such as manufacturing, processing, storage, distribution, and sale of food products must be compulsorily registered or licensed by FSSAI. FSSAI registration differs from an FSSAI license depending on the size and nature of the business. Food business operators should obtain the necessary registration or license, depending on the size of their business.

FSSAI Registration is a 14-digit registration or license number that is printed on all food packaging. The 14-digit registration number gives details of the assembly status and manufacturer’s approval. This registration procedure is aimed at creating greater responsibility for FBOs to maintain the quality of food products. The licensing and registration process and requirements are governed by the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations 2011.

The FSSAI License: Meaning and Importance

The FSSAI License is a legal document issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to authorize food business operators to carry out their food-related activities. It is a mark of credibility that assures consumers that the food they consume is safe and meets the required quality standards.

The FSSAI License is essential for several reasons. Firstly, it ensures the safety of food products and prevents the consumption of adulterated or unsafe food. It also promotes consumer confidence by guaranteeing that the food businesses comply with the necessary hygiene and quality standards. Moreover, having an FSSAI license is a legal requirement, and non-compliance can result in penalties or even the closure of the business.

Who requires FSSAI Central License?

FBOs running the following types of businesses are compulsorily required to obtain FSSAI registration or license in India:

• Retailers and retailers such as retail, snack shops, confectionery, bakeries, etc.
• Temporary stalls or fixed stalls or food premises involved in the preparation, distribution, storage, and sale of food products such as gol gappa stalls, chat stalls, fruit and vegetable vendors, tea stalls, snack stalls, pakoda bread stalls, samosa stalls, Chinese food stalls, South Indian food stalls, sweet stalls, juice shops, etc.
• Hawkers sell packaged or freshly prepared food by travelling (usually on foot or using moving carts) from one location to another.
• Milk units include milk cooling units, petty milkmen, and milk vendors.
• Vegetable oil processing units
• Abattoirs like butchers, mutton, chicken, lamb, etc.
• Meat and fish processing units
• All food production and processing units that involve food repackaging
• Own foods and new foods. Refrigerated/refrigerated storage.
• Transporter of food products with a range of specialised vehicles such as insulated refrigerated vans and waggons, milk tankers, food trucks, etc. Wholesaler, supplier, distributor, and seller of food products.
• Hotels, restaurants, and bars
• Canteens and buffets, including lunch canteens.
• Food and catering agencies
• Dhaba, PG, provides food by catering banquet halls, home canteens, and food stalls at fairs or religious institutions.
• Importers and exporters of food, including food additives.
• Food suppliers for e-commerce, including cloud kitchens

Are you also indulged in Food Business and require any assistance in getting FSSAI License? Don’t worry we are here to help you out with. Connect to our expert at Legal Window for timely delivery of your FSSAI License.

Types of FSSAI registration

Following are the types of FSSAI registration 

• FSSAI Basic Registration: FBOs with a turnover less than Rs. 12 lakh p.a. must obtain FSSAI Basic Registration. The FSSAI registration form that an applicant has to fill out to get FSSAI basic registration is Form A.
• FSSAI State Licence: FBOs with a turnover of more than Rs. 12 crores per annum and less than Rs. 20 crores per annum must obtain a FSSAI State Licence. The FSSAI registration form that an applicant has to fill out to obtain a state FSSAI licence is Form B.
• FSSAI Central Licence: FBOs with a turnover of more than 20 million rupees per annum must obtain a central license from FSSAI. The FSSAI registration form to be filled out by the applicant to obtain the FSSAI central license is Form B.

Benefits of FSSAI Central License

Below are the benefits of getting an FSSAI central license:

• Global identity: FSSAI licenses help build reputations worldwide. It creates a business brand on a global level.
• Business expansion: With the FSSAI central license, expansion of the food business to any new location and the opening of new outlets is easy. It even makes it easier to get a loan or other financing for business development.
• Legal advantage: A FSSAI license gives a sense of security and legal rights to all involved in the food business. It also serves as evidence that the quality of food and foodstuffs has not been compromised by safety standards.
• Consumer awareness: Today, consumers pay more attention to the quality of their food. Thus, FSSAI-licenced foods give businesses an advantage over a rapidly growing consumer base.

Documents required for FSSAI Central License

Below is the list of essential documents to be submitted at the time of applying for the FSSAI Central License in India:

• Form B (duly completed and signed by the applicant);
• A floor plan of the manufacturing or processing facility, reflecting critical areas with accurate measurements;
• In case the applicant is applying for company registration, a full list of key management personnel, such as name and residence,
• A copy of the MOA, AOA, and COI is required (if the licence applicant is a private limited company, OPC, or public limited company);
• A complete list of partners, including their name, contact details, address, etc., along with a copy of the partnership agreement (in case the licence applicant is a partner firm);
• List of serving members in the cooperative (if the licence applicant is a cooperative);
• A copy of the trust deed and trustee records (if the licence applicant is a registered trust);
• Utility bills (electricity bill, lease agreement, register) of the place of business to prove the address;
• A food safety management plan (FSMS) or identical protocol in place;
• Name and list of machines present in the plant;
• List of active suppliers of raw materials;
• No objection certificate was granted by the local authorities concerned.
• a tourism certificate issued by the Ministry of Tourism (if the applicant for the license is the hotel owner);
• IEC certificate issued by DGFT (Director General of Foreign Trade) (if the license applicant intended to ship food products abroad);

Procedure For Getting Online FSSAI Central License in India

The step-by-step processes for securing the FSSAI central license in India are as follows:

• FBOs can obtain FSSAI registration online by filling out and submitting the FSSAI registration form, i.e., Form A (Application for Registration) or Form B (Application for State and Central Licence), on the FoSCoS portal. Food business operators can also register offline by submitting Form A or Form B to the Food and Safety Department.
• The FSSAI registration form must be accompanied by the required documents. Documents must be uploaded online to the FoSCos portal at the time of application or submitted physically to the Food and Safety Department with the application.
• The FSSAI registration form can be accepted or rejected by the ministry within 7 days from the date of receipt of the application, either physically or online through the FoSCoS portal. If the application is rejected, the applicant must be notified in writing. The department will review the submitted documents.
• The Ministry may, if necessary, conduct an inspection of the food premises before granting the FSSAI registration certificate.
• If the ministry is satisfied that the FBO fulfils all the required criteria, it will issue the FSSAI registration certificate with the applicant’s registration number and email ID photo.
• The applicant can also download the FSSAI registration certificate after logging into the FoSCoS portal.
• The food business operator should display the FSSAI registration certificate visibly at the place of business during business hours.

FSSAI License fee

The applicant or FBO has to pay the fees while submitting the registration form to FSSAI. The FSSAI registration fee for different types of registration is as follows:

Renewal of FSSAI Central License

The Central FSSAI license comes with a flexible validity period ranging from 1–5 years. The price of the license would increase in accordance with the validity period. Regarding renewal, the FSSAI central license should be renewed before 30 days from the date of expiration, or penalties will be imposed.

The process of renewing a food licence is as simple as applying for a new one. When applying for renewal, the applicant must upload the following documents:

• Passport-size photo
• Identity proof like an Aadhaar card, voter ID, etc.
• PAN card
• Proof of address by submitting telephone bills, electricity bills, etc.
• Copy of land deed or contract to prove ownership
• In the case of renting premises, the applicant is obliged to submit a copy of the rental agreement and a confirmation of the lessor’s disapproval.

Conclusion

Obtaining an FSSAI Central License in India is a crucial step for any food business operator in India. It ensures compliance with food safety regulations, builds consumer trust, and demonstrates the commitment to delivering safe and quality food products. The online application process introduced by the FSSAI has simplified the procedure, making it easier and more efficient for FBOs to acquire the necessary license. By following the step-by-step guide outlined in this article, food businesses can navigate the process with ease and contribute to a safer and healthier food ecosystem in India.