The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a regulatory body organized by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare of India. All food businesses, including manufacturers, traders, restaurants, small restaurants, grocery shops, or exporters must have the FSSAI registration number on file – it’s 14 digits long. FSSAI registration is mandatory. The 14-digit FSSAI license number indicates the registration details of a food producer in subtle ways and the assembly state. It is Given to all businesses related to food. People who are involved with the food business must have an FSSAI license.

Who can get FSSAI license?

Any person doing business related to production, processing, storage, distribution as defined in Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 must get the FSSAI license. It shall be illegal for any person to engage himself in any food business without getting a license from FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) or obtain registration with State/ UT Food Authority.

There are 3 types of FSSAI License:

• FSSAI Basic License.
• FSSAI State License.
• FSSAI Central License.

FSSAI Basic License:

Basic food license is necessary for an annual turnover of less than 12 Lakhs.

FSSAI State License:

The annual turnover should be between Rs.12 lakh – Rs.2 Cr. for state licenses. State licenses are required if the business is repacking or relabelling items regardless of their turnover.

FSSAI Central License:

In cases where the annual turnover is higher than 20 crores, a Central license must be applied for.

If you want to be a food business operator, you need to get the FSSAI License. It is because there are penalties and legal charges if you don’t follow the rules. So get it before you start your business so that everything is OK.

Documents for FSSAI registration :

The following documents are required to apply for the FSSAI registration number:

1.  Valid Address proof and ID Proof. (Voter ID, Driving license, Ration card, Passport issued by central/state government, etc).

2.  Form-B signed by the Proprietor or Partner or Authorized Signatory.

3. The layout of the operating area including the area and operation area. It is Mandatory for manufacturing units, processing units, re-packers, and re-labelers.

4. Name and contact nos. of Directors/Owners/partners etc.

FSSAI License Fees:

• Basic License: Rs.100 per year
• State License: Rs.2000 0r Rs.5000 per year
• Central License: Rs.7500 per year.

Benefits of FSSAI License

FSSAI License/Registration makes your food business legal. It will build goodwill. Also, this license can help to expand the business and regulate imports of food as well as distribution of them.

Penalties

Punishment for carrying out a food-related business without the FSSAI License.

It’s a punishable offense to manufacture, sell, store or distribute food without a license. If found guilty the punishment will be six months in prison and a fine of Rs 5 lakhs.

False advertising is a punishable offense.

Any person or organization who publishes an advertisement that:

Anyone who promote a food product that is not as it seems or if they falsely promise the quality of their products commits an offense and may be liable to a penalty of upto 10 lakh.

FSSAI License Renewal

You should renew your FSSAI license 1 month in advance before the expiry of your existing license.