Overview of FSSAI License

FSSAI is an authority which looks after the food industry either directly or indirectly in India. It is an authority which formed under the FSS that is food safety and standards laws of India. Prior to 2006, India's food laws were not as tight, resulting in several malfunctions in the food business. In order to combat food adulteration and sanitary difficulties, the Indian government enacted food safety rules in 2006. After this law there were a lot of things changed in the food industry. This made a positive effect on the food safety of the consumers. 

There is no leniency has been provided under this law as this is related to the health of the public at large. By providing any kind of lilency in this law means playing with the health of the people which is one of the very important fundamental rights of a citizen of India. One of the most common but important compliance prescribed under this law is FSSAI License Registration. Whether you are a petty food business owner or a high revenue food business this license is supposed to be taken by every food business owner. 

Who is a Food Business Operator (FBO)?

The term “ Food Business Operator” itself suggests its meaning. FBOs are people or organizations that participate either directly or indirectly in the transportation, production, manufacturing, or distribution of any kind of food component. They may encompass street vendors as well as people who serve food in five-star hotels or restaurants. Anyone who transports food from one location to another will be classified as a Food Business Operator. Food retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers etc all will be called the FBO. 

Types of FSSAI Registration in India 

If you go through the FSS Act of 2006, you came to know that there are mainly three types of FSSAI Registration in India. It is bifurcated on the basis of the local level, state level and central level licensing. It completely depends on the turnover and types of business, which licence will be applicable on which food business. Different business have different eligibility criteria which is given or mentioned below: 

Eligibility for FSSAI License 

In most of the businesses applicability of the licence depends on the types and turnover of the business, but there are certain businesses like e-commerce business, import export food business etc central licence will be applicable irrespective of their turnover. Hence make sure that your business does not come under that category of the businesses. 

Who has to apply for the FSSAI License?

Several food-related businesses require an FSSAI license. Some of the businesses that must have an FSSAI license are as follows:

• Food Caterers: Businesses that provide catering services in India need to be in line with the food safety rules and regulations and have this food license accordingly. 
• Food Manufacturers: Entities engaged in the business of manufacturing, packing, food processing, or storing must get an FSSAI license. It comprises both large and small-scale food manufacturing and processing facilities. 
• Food Transporters: Many hygienic difficulties have been noted regarding the transportation of food goods, hence the government has made it essential for them to obtain an FSSAI license under the FSS Act. 
• Food Importers: All the food businesses involved in the import of any kind of food in India must ensure that they are having this license prescribed by the food safety laws. This requires that imported food goods meet the relevant safety and quality criteria. 
• Food Retailers: Retailers are those who are involved in the food business where the business is in the form of B to C. this means they directly provide food products to the consumers. Hence they also need to take this food license from the appropriate authority who is having power to provide the same licensing. 
• Food Wholesalers and Distributors: You'll find a lot of food wholesalers and retailers in the marketplace. They also have to comply with regulations regarding food safety, which demand them to obtain a food license, often known as an FSSAI License. 

What are the need/benefits of FSSAI Registration?

The following are some of the most important reasons why FSSAI Registration is necessary:

• Legal Compliance

As per the 2006 food safety laws it is mandatory to take FSSAI registration. Hence it can be said that it is a legal compliance of the food business which needs to be done. Ignorance of this compliance may result in fines and penalties which are enough to collapse your business, therefore obtaining this license helps in complying with this legal compliance of the food businesses. 

• International Trade

In case you as a food business owner want to explore the international market and want to do international trade, then you have to obtain this license because without having this you cannot do so. One of the key requirements of doing international food business is FSSAI License registration. Hence must get this license timely. 

• Consumer Trust and Confidence

For any kind of food business consumer trust is very crucial. Without gaining the trust of the consumers in the food business the business cannot grow. Food businesses success completely depends on the trust and confidence of the consumers in the business and obtaining this license helps in gaining the same. Therefore must obtain this license of food safety from the competent authorities. 

• Consumer Complaint Handling

FSSAI is the authority who looks after food safety in India. This gives an opportunity to the consumers by providing an online platform to register or report their complaints regarding the food issues. This helps in building a safe and hygienic food market in India. 

• Brand Reputation

By increasing the credibility and reliability of the businesses, this license increases the brand reputation of the business. In order to form a brand reputation credibility and reliability is very important and this license helps in getting both of them. Hence one must get this license after following all the processes and criteria prescribed under the rules and regulations of the FSSAI. 

• Access to Guidance and Support

Food businesses which are licensed under the food safety laws which means businesses having this food license registration are entitled to all those training and support offered by the government of India to such businesses. Except these there are many schemes of the government for the newly formed businesses, you cannot avail the benefits of those schemes if you are not licensed under the food safety laws of India. 

• Improved Market Access

As mentioned above, this license will increase the reliability, credibility as well as trust among the consumers as well as investors, this will improve the market access to the business and help in the growth and development of your business. This makes you different in the market and helps in doing business freely without any kind of fear. 

• Quality Control

The FSSAI registration ensures proper hygiene, food handling standards, and quality control methods. It assists the firm in guaranteeing consistent quality of food goods while also reducing the possibility of infection. It makes the food safer and healthier for those who will consume it. 

Documents Required for FSSAI Registration

Some of the key documents which are required for the registration of FSSAI in India are mentioned below. But you have to keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive in nature and some documents may be varied as per the type of licenses as well. 

• Form A or Form B: Form A for basic FSSAI registration, Form B for state and central licenses.
• Identity Proof: Aadhaar card, PAN card, voter ID, passport, or driver's license.
• Address Proof: Utility bill, property tax receipt, rent agreement, or lease agreement.
• Photograph: Recent passport-sized photos of proprietor, partners, directors, or authorized signatory.
• Declaration Form: Statement affirming the accuracy of provided information.
• Partnership Deed or Certificate of Incorporation: For legal entity verification.
• Food Safety Management Plan: Outlining quality control, storage, transportation, and safety procedures.
• List of Food Products: Categorization and details of handled or manufactured food products.
• Food Safety Management System Certificate: If implemented, such as ISO 22000 certification.
• Proof of Possession of Premises: Property documents, lease/rent agreement, or possession letter.
• NOC from Municipality or Panchayat: Confirming compliance with local regulations.
• Other Supporting Documents: Based on specific business category and nature, like NOC from Fire Department or water test report.

What is the Procedure for Getting FSSAI License?

To obtain an FSSAI license, follow the steps below:

• Determine license type, it is the very first step towards obtaining an FSSAI License in India. Without knowing about which license will be applicable to your business you cannot obtain this license.
• Prepare the required documents even before starting the application for the license. If you have all the required documents in your hands it will be easy for you to file an application.
• Fill the application form accurately because even your single mistake can lead to unnecessary delays as well as rejection. Hence make sure all the details in the application have been provided accurately.
• After completing the form make sure you will check it twice before actually submitting it to the competent authorities.
• Submit the form and documents after checking it completely
• Pay the applicable fee with the application form. Fees will also vary as per your license applicability. Hence make sure you check the same.
• Now you have to wait for a certain time till the application has been inspected or examined by the competent authorities.
• If they find everything as per the requirement you will get your registration certificate

It is critical to realize that exact procedures may differ based on the state and type of food business.

Governing Authority FSSAI FoSCoS

The Food Safety Compliance System which is popular by the name of the FoSCoS is an improved or we can say evolved version of the FSSAI License and Registration System which is the full form of the FLRS. The Food Licensing and Registration System commonly called as FLRS, which was established by the authorities in the year of 2012 in order to issue Food Licenses and FSSAI Registration across India, has now been renamed the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS).FoSCoS is one of the systems created employing cutting-edge technology with the purpose of offering a modern, one-stop pan-India IT platform for food safety regulation requirements.

FoSCoS is worked as an umbrella system that integrates with the FSSAI's other existing IT systems, including

• Food Safety Compliance related to the food businesses will be done through Regular Inspection and Sampling (FoSCoRIS),
• Food Safety Connect which is a Complaints Management System,
• Online Annual Return filing platform is there,
• Food Import Clearing System which is commonly known as the FICS,
• Indian Food Laboratory Network which is commonly known as the InFoLNet,
• Audit Management System is there whose short form is AMS,
• Food Safety Training and Certification which is also known as the FoSTaC,
• Food Safety Mitra which is the fullform of the FSM

These integrations will occur until FoSCoS transitions from a license platform to a unified compliance platform. FosCos has the best architecture for future expansion and upgrades. FoSCoS must also be integrated with other Government of India platforms, such as GST, PAN, and MCA. It simplifies corporate procedures while simultaneously ensuring optimal business profiling.

Key Penalties for Ignorance of FSSAI Registration

Some of the penalties which can be levied on the business which are caught to work without having this license are: 

• Punishment

If a food business operates without an FSSAI license, they would face a Rs. 5 lakh (INR) penalty under Section 31 of the FSS Act, 2006.

Fine: The penalty may also include a significant fine issued by the FSSAI or its appointed officer in accordance with Section 49 of the FSS Act of 2006. The food business operator may be held liable to pay the penalty, which varies depending on the violation or severity of the offense committed, the length of noncompliance, and the size of the food business.

• Closure of the Entity

In significant cases of noncompliance or repeated crimes, the FSSAI appointed authorities have the authority to order the closure of a food business. If it is discovered that an FBO is operating without a valid FSSAI license or registration, the business will be closed until the required license is secured. This can result into huge financial losses and reputational damage for the company.

• Legal Action and Imprisonment

In extreme circumstances of noncompliance or when there is a risk to public health and safety, the culpable persons or food business operators may face jail for up to 6 months under Section 63 of the FSS Act, 2006. The appropriate authorities may file legal action against the food company operator.

• Seizure and destruction of food

If the food products which have been Sold, produced, manufactured, or distributed by the food company owners of any kind of food business, are discovered to be dangerous or do not meet the required requirements, the authorities may confiscate and destroy them. This can result in a loss of business reputation.

Why to tag along with Whizseed

The FSSAI license categories and requirements vary depending on the size and nature of the food industry. It is best to check with us directly to establish the specific licensing requirements for a certain firm. We assist clients all around the country in obtaining FSSAI registration. We as a service provider will not only make sure legal compliance must be done, but also improve your credibility and market prospects in the food industry.