The food industry is something which never gets affected by the business cycle. This is one of the evergreen industry.

Abbreviation:

FSSAI is an abbreviation used for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.

All about! FSSAI Rules & Regulations

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India also commonly known as FSSAI which is an agency of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. The FSSAI is accountable for safeguarding and encouraging public health for the purpose of regulation and supervision of food safety.

FSSAI controls all types’ food business operators in a country &also has hand over the powers at a number of levels to any other designated authorities like the FDA to speed up the process of permitting registration or licenses.

What is need of FSSAI rules and Regulation?

This is like one stop shop to all laws and departmental control.
Connecting point for all matters related to Food safety, standard, Regulation etc
Single licensing authority for one or more articles of food.

What is food business License?

A Food Business Operator License is a license granted by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India that The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 has made it mandatory for entities involved in the activities related to the entity to carry on activities related to any stage of manufacturing, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution of food, import and includes food services, catering services, sale of food or food ingredients.

Who is required to obtain license under FSSAI regulation?

FSSAI license or registration is compulsory for all the kinds of entities that are running food business. Anyone who are handling, processing, manufacturing, selling and also  serves, stores, distributes transports or imports food, usuallycalled as Food Business Operators (“FBO”). It is also applicable to street food vendor.

Why is Food Business Operator License required?

• There are various reason why Food license is required.
• For the safety of the consumers or people of food.
• This license can be used as an effective marketing tool in order to boost your business.
• Also in order to ensure good quality of food in your business and for the benefits one from government actions on non-compliances.
• Food are proving that they have the FSSAI license, which can give you an added advantage of a solid and an  increase in the customer base.
• When the time comes for your business to expand in other areas or outlets, you can easily do so with the use of your FSSAI license.
• Moreover, the license can also make it easier for you to get bank loans and for  funding which is required for expansion.
• FSSAI Logo can be used in your menu cards and pamphlets to publicize your food’s superior quality over others.etc

Services require the food license

A Food industry which is mainly involved in manufacturing, import, and processing, packaging, storing or distributing food. It offers the following kinds of services:

• Restaurants
• Catering Services
• Bakery
• Sweet shop
• Cafe
• Warehouse
• Homemade Food Business like homemade chocolates, pickles, jams, etc.
• Food Truck
• Food Tech etc

A food business are required to comply with several laws to obtain licenses to carry out its services and sell its products in India

What are the kinds of FSSAI License?

There are 3 kinds of FSSAI LICENSE

• BASIC LICENSE
• STATE LICENSE
• CENTRAL LICENSE

What is the eligibility to obtain food license?

Type	Turnover
BASIC LICENSE	UPTO 12 LAC
STATE LICENSE	BETWEEN 12 LAC TO 20 Cr.
CENTRAL LICENSE	ABOVE 20 Cr.( EXCEPTION: BUSINESS LIKE TRANSPORTERS & WHOLESALER ANNUAL TURNOVER SHOULD BE MORE THAN 30 CR ANNUALLY.)

Documents Required for registration:

1. Basic registration

• Photo ID issued by Government authority
• Photo of FBO
• Scanned Copy of Signature

2. State License
   

• Photo ID issued by Government authority
• Address proof issued by Government authority
• Photo of FBO
• List of Directors with full address and contact
• Proof of possession of premises
• Partnership Deed/Affidavit of Proprietorship/MOA&AOA
• NOC & Copy of License from manufacturer (mandatory for relabelers and re-packers only)
• Declaration Form
• List of food products
• Blue Print of Processing Unit & Equipment/Machinery
• Production unit photograph
• For Transporter : Proof for Turnover or self-declaration of number of vehicles
• Scanned Copy of Signature

3. Central License

• Photo ID issued by Government authority
• Address proof issued by Government authority
• Photo of FBO
• List of Directors with full address and contact
• Proof of possession of premises
• Partnership Deed/Affidavit of Proprietorship/MOA&AOA
• NOC & Copy of License from manufacturer (mandatory for relabelers and re-packers only)
• Declaration Form
• List of food products
• Blue Print of Processing Unit & Equipment/Machinery
• Production unit photograph
• For Transporter : Proof for Turnover or self-declaration of number of vehicles
• For Importer & Exporter
• Scanned Copy of Signature

Process for fssai registration

The procedure for obtaining a license:

1. Application for Food License shall be made in FORM B to the concerned licensing central authority or the state licensing authority, based on the eligibility criteria for the food business.
2. The application for food license shall be supplemented by a self-attested declaration in the prescribed format declaring that he confirms to the Food Safety and Standards Act as well as the Regulations/Bye Laws and he shall follow the guidelines on Hygiene and Sanitary Practices together with the necessary documents and required license fee.
3. The Authorities will carry out inspection of the food business.
4. The food license shall be issued by the concerned licensing authority within a period of 60 days.
5. However, from the date of making the application, a license has not obtained the license within 60 days or the applicant has not received any intimation in this regard the applicant may commence his food business without waiting for further communication.

Penalty & Offences under FSSAI regulation: Inter alia are:

Purpose	Amount
Not having FSSAI license	Imprisonment for a term which may extend to 6 months and also with fine which may extend to Rs. 5 Lakh.
Food Quality issues	up to Rs. 5 Lakh if foods sold are not match required quality standard
Substandard food	Penaltyup to Rs. 5 Lakh.
In case of death	not less than Rs. 5 Lakh penalty
In case of serious injuries	penalty up to Rs. 3 Lakh
In case of other injuries	penalty up to Rs. 3 Lakh

Validity and renewal:

The validity of a Food License extends from 1 to 5 years and it depends upon the number of years which is chosen by the food operator.According to the FSSAI guidelines, every person with FSSAI license need to apply for the renewal at least 30 days before the expiration of the validity of existing license and in case the License is renewed after the expiry time then a penalty would be imposed. Therefore, it is advisable to renew the Food License on time in order to avoid penalties.