Summarized FSSAI License Process 2020 – Raag Consultants - Documents Required, Benefits

Updated: Jul 15, 2020

· What is FSSAI?

· Why is FSSAI Registration Required?

· FSSAI Registration/License Procedure

· FSSAI Registration Requirements

· Procedure For Obtaining FSSAI Registration

· FSSAI License Requirement

· Documents Required For Obtaining the Central License

· Documents Required For Obtaining the State license

· Benefits of Procuring FSSAI Food License

· Consequences of Non-Compliance

· Penalty For Non- Compliance

· Renewal of FSSAI License

1. What is FSSAI?

FSSAI stands for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India which is an organization that monitors and governs the food business in India.It is an autonomous body which is established under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. The FSSAI has been established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act) which is a consolidating statute related to food safety and regulation in India. It ensures the food products undergo quality checks thereby curtailing the food adulteration and sale of sub-standard products. It is responsible for the registering and licensing of the Food Business Operators (FBO) in India and it lays down the rules and regulation for running the food business in India.

2. Why is FSSAI Registration Required?

Every food business operator involved in the manufacturing, processing, storage distribution and sale of food products must compulsorily obtain FSSAI Registration or License. FSSAI Registration is different from FSSAI License in the sense that depending on the size and nature of the business, FBO should obtain the necessary registration or license. It is a 14-digit registration or a license number which is printed on all the food packages. The 14 digit registration number gives details about the assembling state, producer’s permit. This registration procedure is aimed to create more accountability on the FBO to maintain the quality of the food products. The licensing and registration procedure and requirements are regulated by Food Safety & Standards (Licensing and Registration of food Business) Regulations, 2011.

3. FSSAI Registration/ Fssai License Procedure

FSSAI registration or license is based on the business volume and premises. Depending upon the installed capacity or turnover or location, applicant premises are eligible for the license such as basic license, central license, and state license.

4. FSSAI Registration Requirements

FSSAI Registration is a basic license and it is required for all the FBO involved in the small-scale food business. This category covers the following businesses.

Any FBO with an annual turnover of not more than Rs. 12 lakh.
Petty retailer dealing in food products
Any person who manufactures or sells any food article by himself
Food sale is done by the temporary stall holder
Any individual who distributes food in any religious or social gathering except a caterer
Small-scale or cottage industries dealing in the food business and the following:

5. Procedure for Obtaining FSSAI Registration

FSSAI registration is initiated by submitting Form A (application) to the Food and Safety Department.
This application can be accepted or it may be rejected by the Department within 7 days from the date of receipt of an application and the rejection has to be intimated to the applicant in writing
If the application is accepted, then the department will grant a registration certificate with the registration number and the photo of the applicant.
FBO should prominently display the certificate of registration at the place of business during the business hours.

The common documents required for Basic, State and Central Registration are a passport photo and a photo ID proof.

For State and Central license, the following additional documents will be needed:

Address proof
List of food category
Layout plan
List of equipment
NOC from municipality
Incorporation certificate
List of directors/partners
MOA and AOA
Water test report
Import Export Code

6. FSSAI License Requirement

For all other FBO apart from small-scale business, FSSAI license has to be obtained. FSSAI License can be classified into two categories i.e. State FSSAI License and Central FSSAI License based on the size of the business whether it is a medium scale or large scale business.

Generally, FBO who are large manufacturers, importers, exporters dealing in large-scale food business need to obtain FSSAI registration from central government and FBO with small to medium sized manufacturing units, transporters, marketers, traders, etc., need to take FSSAI registration from the state government. To apply for State License the FBO must have a turnover between Rs 12 lakh to Rs 20 crore. Other conditions include manufacturing units having capacity of 2MT per day, dairy units handling business up to 50000 liters per day. 3 star hotels and above, repackers, relabelling units, clubs, canterns all catering business irrespective of their turnover need to apply for the license. The tenure of the license being maximum of 5 years and minimum of 1 year. To apply for a central license the FBO must have a turnover exceeding Rs. 20 crores and needs to have operations in two or more states. All importers and exporters need to apply for this license. The maximum tenure is 5 years and minimum is 1 year.

7. Documents Required For Obtaining the Central FSSAI License:

Form B duly completed and signed
Plan of the processing unit showing the dimensions and operation-wise area allocation
List of Directors/ Partners/ Proprietor with address, contact details, and photo ID
Name and list of equipment and machinery used with the number and installed capacity
List of food category to be manufactured
Authority letter from manufacturer nominated a responsible person name and address
Analysis report of water to be used in the process to confirm the portability
Source of raw material for milk, meat etc
Recall plan wherever applicable
Ministry of Commerce Certificate for 100% EOU
NOC/PA document issued by FSSAI
IE code document issued by DGFT
Form IX
Certificate from Ministry of Tourism
Proof of possession of premises
Partnership deed/ affidavit of proprietorship
NOC and copy of License from the manufacturer
Food safety management system plan or certificate
NOC from the municipality or local body
Supporting document for proof of turnover and transportation
Declaration form

8. Documents required For Obtaining the State FSSAI License:

Form B duly completed and signed
Plan of the processing unit showing the dimensions and operation-wise area allocation
List of Directors/ Partners/ Proprietor with address, contact details, and photo ID
Name and list of equipment and machinery used with the number and installed capacity
List of food category to be manufactured
Authority letter from manufacturer nominated a responsible person name and address
Analysis report of water to be used in the process to confirm the portability
Proof of possession of premises
Partnership deed/ affidavit of proprietorship
NOC and copy of License from the manufacturer
Copy of certificate obtained under Coop Act 1861/Multi state Coop Act 2002
Food safety management system plan or certificate

There are different forms and documents which are required to be submitted conversion, renewal, and modification of license.

9. Benefits of Procuring FSSAI Food License

Obtaining a license can provide the food business with legal benefits, build goodwill, ensure food safety, create consumer awareness, and assist in business expansion. Also it helps regulate, manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of import food.

10. Consequences of Non-Compliance

Any registered or licensed person under the FSSAI has to adhere to the rules and regulation under the FSS Act, 2006. Food safety officer generally conducts the inspection of the food business operator’s facility and identifies the level of compliance with the regulation using a checklist. Based on the compliance level, the food safety officer marks it as:

Compliance (C)
Non-compliance (NC)
Partial compliance (PC)
Not applicable/Not observed (NA)

Based on the above, the food safety officer might issue an improvement notice where ever required per Sec 32 of the FSS Act, 2006. If the business operator fails to comply with the improvement notice, the officer after giving the licensee an opportunity to show cause may cancel his license. Any food business operator aggrieved by an improvement notice can appeal to the State Commissioner of Food Safety. The decision thereon can be challenged through appealing to the Food safety appellate tribunal/high court.

11. Penalty for Non- Compliance

Listed is the penalty for various type of non-compliance:

1. Food quality not in compliance with act - 2 Lakh , Petty manufacturer – 25,000/-

2. Sub-standard food - 5 Lakh

3. Misbranded Food - 3 Lakh

4. Misleading advertisement or false description - 10 Lakh

5. Extraneous matter in food - 1 Lakh

6. Failure to comply with Food safety officer direction - 2 Lakh

7. Unhygienic processing or manufacture - 1 Lakh

12. Renewal of FSSAI License

The FSSAI license is essential to commence the food business, similarly it is imperative to renew the license. The license is issued for a validity of 1 year or 5 years, so the business must apply for renewal 30 days prior to the expiry of current license. FSSAI has introduced an online application called Food Licensing and Registration System (FLRS) so businesses can apply online for the licences.

The FLRS is utilized in five Regional Offices for the issue of licenses and entitlements. They are: