All Food Business Operators In India Must be Registered Or License Under The FSSAI
If you are into any kind of food business, be it, manufacturer, packager, distributor, wholesaler, retailer or service provider like restaurants and cafes or into catering or delivery of prepared meals or into import/export business, you have to mandatorily obtain a FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) license or registration before commencing operations, whether small or large, in India.
FSSAI is a regulatory body that oversees food safety and standards in India. Section 31 of Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006 states that all food business operators in India must be registered or licensed under the FSSAI. This license can differentiate your business from unlicensed competitors, potentially leading to increased sales. Operating without a license can even lead to fines, penalties, or even closure of your business.
There Are Three Categories Of License Based On The Scale Of The Food Business. They Are:
Basic Registration: For small businesses with an annual turnover of up to ?12 lakh.
State License: For medium-sized businesses with a turnover between ?12 lakh and ?20 crore.
Central License: For large businesses with a turnover exceeding ?20 crore or those involved in importing/exporting food products.
However, there are some types of business where irrespective of the size of the business one needs to go for state/ central licence like;
- If you are into Import/Export business, Central license is required.
- For General Manufacturing the limits are as follows:
- More than 2 MT/day. No grains, cereals and pulses milling units [Central License]
- All grains, Cereals & Pulses, milling units without any ceiling on quantity and/or other Food Businesses more than 100Kg/Litre upto 2 MT/day [State License]
- For Trade (wholesale) the limits are as follows
- Turnover greater than 30 crores/annum [Central License]
- Turnover upto 30 crores/annum [State License]
Similarly, there are various other categories that can be accessed on the Foscos site.
To Get A FSSAI Registration For Your Food Business:
Step 1: Firstly check if you need just a registration or a full license based on your business size and type, you may take help of a professional to understand this.
Step 2: Gather essential documents like your business address proof and owner's ID.
Step 3: Fill out the registration form, available online on the given website https://foscos.fssai.gov.in/.
Step 4: Submit the form and documents with the government prescribed fee.
The State Licensing Authority will grant the FSSAI registration number, which has 14 digits, with the first digit starting with the number 2.
For some businesses, a FSSAI officer may visit to ensure you meet safety standards. Once approved, you'll receive a registration number that should be displayed on your products. Remember to renew your registration or license as needed to stay compliant.
Conclusion:
Obtaining a FSSAI license is a crucial step for any food business in India. It not only ensures compliance with legal requirements by following the rules and regulations related to ingredients, labelling, cleanliness, quality etc but also builds brand image, consumer trust, improves operational efficiency and provides various other business advantages. For businesses looking to establish credibility and ensuring the safety and quality of their products, a FSSAI license is essential. This license can also open up opportunities to access government schemes and support programs designed to help food businesses.