What is the difference between the FSSAI License and FSSAI Registration?

Food safety is a critical aspect of the food industry, and it is essential to comply with the regulatory requirements of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to ensure safe food for consumption. The FSSAI is the governing body that regulates and monitors the food industry in India. It mandates that all food businesses operating in India need to obtain a license or registration based on their business turnover and the nature of the food business. In this article, we will discuss the difference between the FSSAI License and FSSAI Registration.

Quick Look

Food safety is a major concern for consumers and regulatory authorities alike. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) were established in 2006 under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, to ensure the safety and standards of food products across India. FSSAI is responsible for regulating and supervising the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import of food products. FSSAI issues two types of licenses – FSSAI registration and FSSAI license, for food businesses to ensure their compliance with food safety regulations. Let us now discuss one by one about  FSSAI License and FSSAI Registration before we move on to discuss about difference between them.

Meaning of FSSAI License

One of the primary responsibilities of the FSSAI is to issue licenses to food businesses. The FSSAI license is a legal requirement for any food business operating in India. It is a 14-digit registration or license number that is printed on food packaging and displayed at the food establishment. The FSSAI license ensures that the food products being sold are safe for consumption and meet the standards set by the FSSAI.

Types of FSSAI License

There are three types of FSSAI licenses, depending on the size and scale of the food business.

• Basic FSSAI License: This is for small food businesses with an annual turnover of up to Rs. 12 lakh. It is valid for one year and can be renewed after that.
• State FSSAI License: This is for medium-sized food businesses with an annual turnover of more than Rs. 12 lakh but less than Rs. 20 crores. It is valid for five years and can be renewed after that.
• Central FSSAI License: This is for large food businesses with an annual turnover of more than Rs. 20 crores. It is valid for five years and can be renewed after that.

Benefits of FSSAI License

The FSSAI license offers several benefits to food businesses. It helps businesses build credibility and trust with customers, as it indicates that the food products being sold are safe and meet the necessary standards. It also helps businesses expand their customer base, as many consumers prefer to purchase food products that have an FSSAI license. Additionally, it helps businesses avoid legal issues and penalties, as operating without an FSSAI license is illegal and can result in fines or even imprisonment.

Meaning of the FSSAI Registration

FSSAI Registration is a process of obtaining a license from the FSSAI to run a food business in India. The FSSAI registration is mandatory for all food businesses that involve the handling, manufacturing, packaging, processing, storage, and distribution of food products. It is a legal requirement that ensures the safety and quality of food products sold in India.

The FSSAI Registration process involves the submission of various documents, including the business’s identity proof, address proof, and food safety management plan. After verification of these documents, the FSSAI issues a unique FSSAI registration number that must be displayed on all food products and related materials.

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Significance of FSSAI Registration

FSSAI registration is mandatory for food businesses in India to ensure the safety and quality of food products being sold or manufactured. FSSAI registration also helps in:

• Building Trust among Customers: FSSAI registration assures customers that the food products sold or manufactured by the food business comply with the food safety and quality standards.
• Legal Compliance: FSSAI registration is a legal requirement for all food businesses in India. Non-compliance can result in penalties, fines, or even closure of the food business.
• Increased Business Opportunities: FSSAI registration opens up new business opportunities, such as exports, for food businesses by assuring compliance with international food safety and quality standards.

Difference between FSSAI License and FSSAI Registration

The primary difference between FSSAI License and FSSAI Registration is the scale of the business. FSSAI Registration is meant for small-scale food businesses, while FSSAI License is meant for medium to large-scale food businesses. The other key difference is the type of food products being dealt with. FSSAI License is required for businesses that deal with certain types of food products such as meat, dairy, and packaged drinking water.

Some of the difference between FSSAI License and FSSAI Registration are:

• Applicability: FSSAI License is mandatory for food businesses with an annual turnover of more than Rs. 12 lakhs, whereas FSSAI Registration is mandatory for food businesses with an annual turnover of up to Rs. 12 lakhs.
• Type of License: FSSAI License is categorized into three types: State License, Central License, and Registration-cum-License, whereas FSSAI Registration is a single type of registration.
• Issuing Authority: FSSAI License is issued by the Central or State FSSAI Authority, depending on the type of license, whereas FSSAI Registration is issued by the State FSSAI Authority.
• Validity: The FSSAI License is valid for one to five years, depending on the type of license, whereas the FSSAI Registration is valid for one year.
• Compliance Requirements: The compliance requirements for FSSAI License are more stringent compared to FSSAI Registration. FSSAI License holders are required to comply with various regulations and guidelines, whereas FSSAI Registration holders have fewer compliance requirements.

Takeaway

In conclusion, both FSSAI License and FSSAI Registration are important for food businesses operating in India to comply with the regulatory requirements of the FSSAI. The main difference between the two is the turnover limit and the level of compliance requirements. Businesses must assess their turnover and nature of operations to determine whether they need to obtain an FSSAI License or FSSAI Registration to ensure compliance with the FSSAI regulations.