The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the regulatory body for ensuring the safety and quality of food products in India. The FSSAI issues licenses to food businesses to operate in compliance with food safety laws and regulations. In India, there are two types of FSSAI licenses: the state FSSAI license and the central FSSAI license. While both licenses serve the same purpose, there are significant differences between them.
State FSSAI License
The state FSSAI license is issued by the food safety department of the respective state government. This license is mandatory for all food businesses that operate within the boundaries of the state. It is required for businesses that have an annual turnover of up to Rs. 20 crore ($2.7 million).
The state FSSAI license is issued under the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Business) Regulations, 2011. The process of obtaining the state FSSAI license involves filing an application to the state food safety department along with the necessary documents and fees.
The state FSSAI license is valid for a period of five years from the date of issue. The renewal of the license must be done 30 days before the expiration date.
The state FSSAI license is issued for different categories of food businesses such as food manufacturers, food processors, food packers and repackers, milk and milk product units, food importers, and food exporters.
Central FSSAI License
The central FSSAI license is issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, which is a statutory body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. This license is mandatory for all food businesses that have an annual turnover of more than Rs. 20 crore ($2.7 million). The central FSSAI license is required for businesses that operate in different states or have multiple establishments in one state.
The central FSSAI license is issued under the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011. The process of obtaining the central FSSAI license involves filing an application to the FSSAI along with the necessary documents and fees.
The central FSSAI license is valid for a period of five years from the date of issue. The renewal of the license must be done 30 days before the expiration date.
The central FSSAI license is issued for different categories of food businesses such as food manufacturers, food processors, food packers and repackers, milk and milk product units, food importers, and food exporters.
Differences between State and Central FSSAI License
1. Jurisdiction:
The major difference between state and central FSSAI license is jurisdiction. The state FSSAI license is valid only within the boundaries of the state where it is issued. It is restricted to the state-level regulations and oversight. The central FSSAI license, on the other hand, is valid throughout India. It covers state-level regulations as well as central-level regulations and oversight. The central FSSAI license is necessary for businesses that operate in multiple states or have multiple establishments in one state.
2. Business Turnover:
The second major difference is the business turnover. The state FSSAI license is mandatory for businesses that have an annual turnover of up to Rs. 20 crore ($2.7 million). The central FSSAI license is mandatory for businesses that have an annual turnover of more than Rs. 20 crore ($2.7 million).
3. Application Process:
The application process for both state and central FSSAI license is almost the same. However, the central license application process may be more complicated as it requires clearance from the central government agencies such as the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Ministry of Environment and Forests and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
4. Validity Period:
The validity period of both state and central FSSAI license is the same, i.e., five years from the date of issue. Renewal must be done 30 days before the expiration date.
5. Compliance and Penalty:
While the state and central FSSAI licenses have the same objective of ensuring food safety, non-compliance with food safety standards leads to penalties under different laws. The state FSSAI license is enforced by the state government, and the penalty for non-compliance is decided by the state government. All penalties are paid to the state's treasury. The central FSSAI license is enforced by the FSSAI and federal penalties are imposed for non-compliance. The penalty fees must be paid into the bank accounts of the central government.
Conclusion:
Both state and central FSSAI licenses are mandatory for food businesses operating in India. The state FSSAI license is valid only within the boundaries of the issuing state and is mandatory for businesses with an annual turnover of up to Rs. 20 crore ($2.7 million). The central FSSAI license is valid throughout India and mandatory for businesses with an annual turnover of more than Rs. 20 crore ($2.7 million). The process of obtaining both licenses is similar, but the central license may involve more clearance from central government agencies. While both licenses have the same objective of ensuring food safety, the penalties for non-compliance are decided by different governing bodies.
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