Fssai Registration In India : All Inclusive Guide

FSSAI registration stands for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. It is a government organization that regulates, monitors and governs the food industry in India.It is an autonomous body, formed 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 that the food products are undergone constant quality checks, hence curtailing the food adulteration and purchase/sale of sub-standard products. FSSAI also allots the registering and licensing of the Food Business Operators (FBO) in India, laying down the rules and regulation for running the food business in India.

FSSAI Registration is different from FSSAI License, as it depends on the size and nature of the business. Food Business Operators (FBO) get a 14-digit registration or a license number which is printed on all the food item 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.

Fee Structure of various Licenses:

• The fee for a new license is Rs.7500

• The fee for renewal of a license is Rs. 7500

• The fee for modification of the license is Rs. 7500

• The fee for a duplicate license is Rs.10

FSSAI Registration License Requirement:

FSSAI license has to be obtained by all, except  small-scale businesses.  Generally, FBO that 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., are registered under the state government.

To apply for State License the FBO must have a turnover between INR 12 lakhs – INR 20 crores. 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 but below 5 star, relabelers and re-packers that have a capacity of more than 100 kg per ltr and up to 2 MT per day and includes all grains, pulses and cereals milling units., clubs &canteens that have an annual turnover of more than 12 lakhs., all catering business irrespective of their turn over need to apply for the license. The tenure of the license being maximum of 5 years and minimum of 1 year. All importers and exporters need to apply for this license.

Documents Required For the Central License:

1. Form B duly completed and signed

2. Plan of the processing unit showing the dimensions and operation-wise area allocation

3. List of Directors/ Partners/ Proprietor with address, contact details, and photo ID

4. Name and list of equipment and machinery used with the number and installed capacity

5. List of food category to be manufactured

6. Authority letter from manufacturer nominated a responsible person name and address

7. Analysis report of water to be used in the process to confirm the portability

8. Source of raw material for milk, meat etc

9. Recall plan wherever applicable

10. Ministry of Commerce Certificate for 100% EOU

11. NOC/PA document issued by FSSAI

12. IE code document issued by DGFT

13. Form IX

14. Certificate from Ministry of Tourism

15. Proof of possession of premises

16. Partnership deed/ affidavit of proprietorship

17. NOC and copy of License from the manufacturer

18. Food safety management system plan or certificate

19. NOC from the municipality or local body

20. Supporting document for proof of turnover  and transportation

21. Declaration form

Documents required For the State License:

1. Form B duly completed and signed

2. Plan of the processing unit showing the dimensions and operation-wise area allocation

3. List of Directors/ Partners/ Proprietor with address, contact details, and photo ID

4. Name and list of equipment and machinery used with the number and installed capacity

5. List of food category to be manufactured

6. Authority letter from manufacturer nominated a responsible person name and address

7. Analysis report of water to be used in the process to confirm the portability

8. Proof of possession of premises

9. Partnership deed / affidavit of proprietorship

10. NOC and copy of License from the manufacturer

11. Copy of certificate obtained under Coop Act 1861/Multi state Coop Act 2002

12. Food safety management system plan or certificate

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

Procedure for FSSAI Registration:

1. FSSAI registration is initiated by submitting Form A (application) to the Food and Safety Department.

2. 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

3. If the application is accepted, then the department will grant a registration certificate with the registration number and the photo of the applicant.

4. 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:

• A completed and signed Form B

• Address proof

• List of food category and products

• Layout plan of the proposed location

• List of equipment

• NOC from municipality

• Incorporation certificate

• List of directors/partners

• MOA and AOA

• Water test report

• Import Export Code

Renewal of FSSAI Registration License:

The FSSAI registration license is mandatory to run the food business, also it is obligatory to renew the license. The license is issued for a validity of 1-5 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 license. The FLRS is in five Regional Offices for the issue of licenses and entitlements:

• Northern Region -New Delhi

• Eastern Region – Kolkata

• North Eastern Region – Guwahati

• Western Region – Mumbai and Kerala

• Southern Region – Chennai

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:

1. Compliance (C)

2. Non-compliance (NC)

3. Partial compliance (PC)

4. Not applicable/Not observed (NA)

Based on the above, the food safety officer might issue an improvement notice as per Section 32 of the FSS Act, 2006. . If the business operator fails to adhere with the improvement notice, the officer after giving the licensee an opportunity to show cause may cancel his license. The decision thereby, can be challenged through appealing to the Food Safety Appellate Tribunal/High Court.

Penalty for Non- Compliance:

1. False advertisement or misleading description- 10 Lakhs

2. Sub standard Food- 5 Lakhs

3. Mis-branded Food- 3 Lakhs

4. Food quality not in compliance with the act- 2 Lakhs

5. Failure to comply with Food safety standards- 2 Lakh

6. Unhygienic manufacturing- 1 Lakh

7. Extraneous matter in Food- 1 Lakh