FSSAI Product Approval

An Overview of FSSAI Product Approval

FSSAI Product Approval is the process or method by which a product or item gets approved by the FSSAI or Food Safety and Standard Authority of India. FSSAI Product Approval is needed for products or items which contains additives and/or ingredients that are not as per suggested standards in the Food Safety & Standards Act and Regulations. This approval is granted at the level of the Central Government.

If you want to apply for a Product Approval of ingredients, you can apply online. Through its online FPAS (Food Product Approval System), FSSAI has streamlined the application procedure and made it more convenient for FBOs (Food Business Operators).

Standards and Regulations created by FSSAI to make sure the obtainability of wholesome and safe food for consumption. To make sure the availability of safe & hygiene food for customers, FSSAI had introduced guidelines stating that, before introducing any new food items of products except standard products in the market, it's compulsory for the manufacturers to get their food approved by the FSSAI. According to the FSSAI, Product Approval is a complete validation to make products or items traded in the Indian markets. FSSAI maintains vigilance on each & every new product been launched in the market.

With the execution of FSSAI Regulations, it has become vital for Food Business Operators to get a valid FSSAI Registration and license for carrying out business in the food industry. Food Business Operators also need to get the FSSAI food consent before presenting any new item or food in the market for customer use.

FSSAI Online System

The process of FSSAI Product Approval used to manual wherein the application for FSSAI Product Approval and a DD or Demand Draft for the suggested fee had to be submitted to the FSSAI Office in New Delhi. But, to cope with the increase in FSSAI Product Approval applications and bring transparency into the system, recently, FSSAI introduced the FPAS (Food Product Approval System). The application for FSSAI Product Approval can be submitted now and tracked online via the FSSAI FPAS Online System.

When do you need FSSAI Product Approval in India?

Following are some points where you need FSSAI Product Approval:

• The current license owner whose product or item safety valuation has not been performed.
• Introduction of ingredients or products which are new to the industry.
• A proprietary product that needs approval before presenting to the market.
• If the product's safety valuation was not performed earlier.
• The product or ingredient have not been used/produced in any nation across the world.

Benefits of Getting FSSAI Product Approval

Following are some benefits of FSSAI Product Approval:

• Your standardised examination processes confirm the minimal loss of time & regulation risk.
• Your brand will be highly public confidence as a products' seller that is entirely safe for consumption.
• As the safety & quality tests are accurate and benchmarked to global standards. Even global customers will be confident regarding the quality of your food products.
• You will be profited by an enlarged network due to aggressive industry engagement across stakeholders.

Information Required for FSSAI Product Approval

Following are the information required for making an FSSAI Product Approval application:

• Business Name.
• Business Address.
• Brand Name.
• Method of Manufacturing.
• Claim, if any?.
• Product's Shelf Life.
• Pack Size.
• Serving Details.
• Ingredients Details.
• Email.
• Phone Number.
• Manufacturers Address.
• Type of Business (Manufacturer / Importer / Retailer / Marketer).
• Product Origin.
• Country of Origin.
• Existence in the Market.
• Common Name.

Additionally, following Documents should be submitted also along with the application of FSSAI Product Approval:

• Manufacturing method.
• Datasheet of real-time stability.
• Analysis Certificate from NABL Lab.
• Form-9 & Undertaking.
• Accelerated stability datasheet.
• Label for the food item or product.
• End-Use Declaration Document.

Procedure for Getting FSSAI Product Approval in India

Following is the procedure for getting FSSAI Product Approval:

Company Incorporation

Basically, FSSAI Product Approval is an intangible asset for any business or company and it gives the business with authority to either manufacture or markets a certain type of food product in India. In addition, each product approval is granted only after a significant amount of processing time and involves payment of high processing fees to FSSAI. Therefore, it has been advised that the FSSAI Product Approval application is filed from any entity such as Private Limited Company or LLP (Limited Liability Partnership) so as to transfer the company or business easily at a later time with the FSSAI License (if needed).

FBO License

A FBO or Food Business Operator License is vital for businesses that are involved in the selling, manufacturing, or handling of food items or products. A copy of the FBO License Certificate should be submitted while applying for food product approval. Hence, it is advisable that an FBO License is obtained in the business name (if required).

Test Reports

The Food Product Approval application shall be submitted with certain test reports from NABL accredited labs. But, the NABL lab reports are used to authenticate the claims, label claims, and other aspects of the food product. For the food product, the type of tests to be conducted will vary based on the product's nature.

Label of the Product

It's compulsory to contain a product label for FSSAI Product Approval. The label may be a prototype and need not be printed. It's vital to make sure that the food product label follows the FSSAI food product labelling standards in India.

Submitting the Application

After submitting all the vital Documents, the application for FSSAI Product Approval can be made through the FPAS or Food Product Approval System. However, it's vital to have an expert while preparing & submitting the application.