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 that is established under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.
The food industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the country. It contributes around 8.80 and 8.39 per cent of Gross Value Added in Manufacturing and Agriculture respectively, 13 per cent of India’s exports and six per cent of total industrial investment.
However, it does not come without rules and regulations. For anyone involved in the food business, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India registrations (FSSAI) are mandatory. Be it food processing, food manufacturing, packaging, or distributing, you need to get an FSSAI registration to run your business. It is the license that works as the goodwill. It helps build trust and confidence in a firm and gives the assurance of hygiene and cleanliness to the customers. FSSAI license not only gives you a green flag to export your goods but also is a knowledge bank for international standards.
Every food business operator involved in the manufacturing, processing, storage, distribution, and sale of food products must compulsorily obtain FSSAI Registration or License.
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 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 regulations for running the food business in India.
FSSAI Registration is different from the 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 that is printed on all the food packages. The 14-digit registration number gives details about the assembling state, and 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.
The type of FSSAI license/registration required by each of the kinds of the above-mentioned businesses depends on their eligibility criteria. The eligibility criteria for each kind of business and type of license/registration is provided on the FSSAI.
FSSAI registration is based on the business types, turnover, and capacity of production. Depending upon the installed capacity and turnover, FBOs are eligible for licenses such as basic license, central license, and state license.
The FSSAI registration is for food business operators (FBOs) who have small-sized businesses or start-ups. They have an annual turnover of less than Rs.12 lakh. Basic registration can be upgraded depending on your business sales graph productivity.
The State FSSAI License is for the FBOs which have a medium-size business. They have an annual turnover of more than Rs.12 Lakhs or up to Rs.20 crores. The state license can be further upgraded to a central license, all depends on your business sale graph productivity.
The Central FSSAI License is applicable for FBOs which have a large business annual turnover i.e. above Rs.20 crores. It is also required in cases where you need to supply at the government offices or import/export food products.
FSSAI Registration is a basic license and it is required for all the FBOs involved in the small-scale food business. This category covers the following businesses:
For all other FBOs apart from small-scale businesses, the FSSAI license has to be obtained. FSSAI License can be classified into two categories i.e. State F SSAI License and Central FSSAI License based on the size of the business whether it is a medium scale or large scale business.
The FSSAI License issued to FBOs is valid for a period of 1 to 5 years as chosen by the FBOs. The FBO has to apply for the renewal of the license before 30 days of the expiry date mentioned in the license. If the renewal application is not filed within the stipulated time, then a late fee will be charged for each day of delay, and beyond the specified time limit, the license will lapse, and the FBO will have to apply for a fresh license.