FSSAI Registration Process – Documents Required, Benefits,

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What is FSSAI?

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a government entity that safeguards public health by setting regulations in the Indian food industry. The Food Safety and Standards Regulations 2011 made FSSAI registration mandatory for all food-related businesses. So, whether you are involved in the food manufacturing, storage, processing, distribution, or sale business, you must obtain this 14-digit registration number to legalise it.

Who Requires FSSAI Registration?

All food business operators, including pharmacies and medical shops retailing health supplements or nutraceuticals, require FSSAI registration. Here's a breakdown of the companies that should apply for food licence:

Shops and retailers, including grocery stores, bakeries, snack shops, confectionery shops, etc.
Street food vendors, including fixed or temporary stalls selling packaged or prepared food items
Dairy units, including milkmen, milk chillers, and small vendors
Food processing units, including fish and meat processing, vegetable oil processing, food repacking, etc.
Businesses involved in food storage and transportation, including cold storage facilities and food transporters through milk tankers, food trucks, or refrigerated vans
Food distributors and marketers, including suppliers, wholesalers, and distributors
Food service establishments, including bars, restaurants, hotels, canteens, cafeterias, etc.
Food vending agencies, dhabas, and caterers
PGs providing food services
Banquet halls with food catering arrangements
Home-based food stalls and canteens serving food in religious institutions or fairs
Businesses involved in importing and exporting of food, including food ingredients
E-commerce food suppliers
Cloud kitchens

Types of FSSAI Registration

The type of FSSAI registration you need depends on your business type, production capacity, and turnover. There are three types of registrations:

Basic Registration: Required for businesses with an annual turnover of up to Rs. 12 Lakh
State License: Required for businesses with an annual turnover between Rs. 12 Lakh and Rs. 20 Crore*
Central License: Required for businesses with an annual turnover above Rs. 20 Crore*

*Rs. 30 Crore in the case of transportation business and for wholesalers.

Documents Required for FSSAI Registration

Before learning how to get an FSSAI license, you must gather the necessary documents, including the following:

Basic KYC documents, including PAN card, voter ID, Aadhaar card, etc.
Address proof, like property tax receipt or electricity bill
Business details, including business name, contact details, address of operation, nature of business, etc.
Food category details, like the description of food products traded, manufactured, or processed
Authorisation letters as applicable, such as NOC from the local authority for food manufacturers

FSSAI Registration Eligibility

For a basic FSSAI registration, a food business must fulfil the following eligibility criteria:

An annual turnover of up to Rs. 12 Lakh
Food production capacity of up to 100 litre/kg per day (except milk and meat)
Food procurement, milk collection and handling of up to 500 litres per day
Slaughtering capacity of up to two large animals, ten small animals, or fifty poultry birds per day
Transportation through a single vehicle
Up to 12 vending machines in a single state or union territory (UT)

FSSAI License Eligibility

Here are the eligibility criteria for obtaining a state FSSAI license:

Annual turnover between Rs. 12 Lakh and Rs. 20 Crore
Food production capacity of up to 1 MT to 2 MT per day (except milk and meat)
Food procurement, milk collection and handling of up to 501 to 50,000 litre per day
Slaughtering capacity of 3-50 large animals, 11-150 small animals, or 51-1,000 poultry birds per day
Storage capacity of up to 10,000 MT
Transportation through 100 vehicles
Hotels with up to four-star rating
Up to 100 vending machines in a single state or UT

Here are the eligibility criteria for obtaining a central FSSAI license:

Annual turnover above Rs. 20 Crore
Food production capacity of up to above 2 MT per day (except milk and meat)
Food procurement, milk collection and handling of more than 50,000 litres per day
Slaughtering capacity of more than 50 large animals, more than 150 small animals, or more than 1,000 poultry birds per day
Storage capacity of more than 10,000 MT
Transportation through more than 100 vehicles
Hotels with five-star rating and above
More than 100 vending machines in two or more states or UTs

What are FSSAI License Costs?

These are the costs involved in obtaining a food license:

Basic Registration Fee: Rs. 100
State License Fee: 2,000 to Rs. 5,000
Central License Fee: Rs. 7,500

How to Apply Online for FSSAI Registration?

To learn how to apply for an FSSAI license online, you must visit the official FoSCoS portal and fill out an online application form. FoSCoS stands for Food Safety and Compliance System, an online platform allowing food businesses to register online and obtain their food license. By logging in to your FoSCoS account, you can also track your application status, renew your license, modify information in the license, file complaints, download your license, pay fees, etc.

How to get an FSSAI License in Step-by-Step Procedure?

Follow these steps for FSSAI registration online:

Visit the official FoSCoS portal at https://foscos.fssai.gov.in/
Open the “Apply for New License/Registration” section
New users must register, and existing users must log in
Choose the registration type depending on your turnover
Complete the online application form
Upload the necessary documents
Pay the applicable fee
Submit the application

After scrutinising your application, the department will issue a registration certificate with a unique 14-digit number. Download the certificate from the portal by logging in to your FoSCoS account.

What are the Benefits of the FSSAI Food License?

Obtaining the FSSAI license provides legal benefits to the food business. Furthermore, it helps build goodwill, creates consumer awareness, ensures food safety, and assists expansion. With a legal establishment, it is easier to open a Current Account with Kotak Mahindra Bank and even apply for unsecured loans. Since the FSSAI logo on food items ensures quality, it boosts sales and builds customer loyalty.

FSSAI Non-Compliance Offences and Penalty

The penalties depend on the type of non-compliance, including the following:

Non-compliant food quality: Rs. 2 Lakh, Rs. 25,000 for small manufacturers
Sub-standard food: Rs. 5 Lakh
Misbranded Food: Rs. 3 Lakh
False description or misleading advertisement: Rs. 10 Lakh
Extraneous matter in food: Rs. 1 Lakh
Not complying with the food safety directions: Rs. 2 Lakh
Unhygienic manufacturing or processing: Rs. 1 Lakh

FAQs about the FSSAI Registration Process

How long does it take to get the certificate of FSSAI registration?

After scrutinising your application, the department officers visit your premises and ensure food quality and hygiene before issuing a registration certificate. This process can take a week.

Can I operate my food business without a food License?

No, from 2011, obtaining a food license has become mandatory for every food-related business.

How can I get FSSAI certification in India?

You can get FSSAI certification in India by visiting the FoSCoS portal and filling out an online application form.

What is the validity period of an FSSAI license?

An FSSAI license is valid for up to five years from the registration date.

Is GST required for FSSAI?

GST registration is required for any food business with an annual turnover of above Rs. 40 Lakh, regardless of its FSSAI registration status.

FSSAI Registration Process – Documents Required, Benefits