FSSAI Registration in India is important as it ensures the safety of food products supplied or manufactured by other establishments. It is basically the food safety certificate issued by the respective food authority (FSSAI) of India.
What is meant by FSSAI License and Registration?
FSSAI stands for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. The license issued by a FSSAI is for an authorization that allows an institution to sell food commercially. Every (FBO) food business operator involved in a processing, manufacturing, storage distribution and sale of food products must compulsorily obtain FSSAI Registration in India.
So, a scope of FSSAI goes above and beyond restaurants. Apart from serving as the legal certificate, FSSAI License is a mark of a benchmark food quality. It consists of 14-digit registration number (license number) that is printed on all food packages. This 14 digit registration number gives details about an assembling state and producer’s permit. The registration procedure is aimed to create more accountability on FBO to maintain a quality of food products. The licensing and registration procedure, as well as requirements, are regulated by the Food Safety & Standards (Licensing & Registration of food Business) Regulations, 2011.
Read our article:What is The Difference Between The FSSAI License and FSSAI Registration?
Who is an Issuing Authority of the FSSAI License?
FSSAI License is issued only by the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India. The FSSAI authority is an autonomous body that has been established under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India[1]. It has been governed by the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSSAI Act, 2016) which is the consolidated statute related to food safety & regulation in India. The primary responsibility of FSSAI registration is to provide protection & promotion of public health through its key functions of regulation & supervision of food safety.
How to get an FSSAI License?
The FSSAI has launched an online application process called the FLRS which stands for Food Licensing and Registration System. The FLRS now provides users with an option for checking eligibility for the license and how to apply for it online. In addition to that, it also sends out automated alerts to entrepreneurs through text message and via email so that the FSSAI registration and license can be renewed timely.
Types of FSSAI Registration in India
FSSAI License is of three types:
FSSAI Central License
The (FBOs) Food Business Operators are required to obtain the Central Food License issued by a Central Government. The central food license operates only when the state is operational for more than a month. The central license is applied in the central office alone. Usually, the central food license is procured by restaurants having an annual turnover of more than 20 crores. The maximum tenure of a Central FSSAI License is 5 years, and the minimum is of 1 year.
FSSAI State License
Small to mid-sized restaurants are expected to get the FSSAI State license. This state food license is issued by government of a particular state where a person wishes to open the restaurant. So if the restaurant has an annual turnover falling between 12 lakh to 20 lakh then it requires a State food license. The maximum tenure for this license is for 5 years, and the minimum is for 1 year.
Basic FSSAI License
The small & low turnover restaurants with annual revenue of up to 1 lakh are required to obtain an FSSAI Basic License. This license is also issued by a State Government of a concerned state. The maximum and minimum tenure are for these licenses are 5 years and 1 year, respectively.
Renewal of FSSAI License
The FSSAI food license can be renewed for a period of 1 year to 5 years (depends on a case to case basis). The FSSAI license renewal must be done not later than 30 days before an expiration date as given on the license. A late renewal fee of 100 INR per day applies for each day of delay post expiration date.
Requirement of FSSAI registration in India
For all FBOs apart from small-scale vendors, the FSSAI registration has to be obtained. The State FSSAI License & Central FSSAI License based upon the size of a business whether it is a large scale or medium scale business.
Generally, the FBO who are large manufacturers, exporters, importers, dealing in large-scale food business require to obtain FSSAI registration from central government and the FBO with small to medium sized manufacturing units, marketers, transporters, traders, etc., require to obtain FSSAI registration from the state government. To apply for State food License, the FBO must have the annual turnover of Rs 12 lakh to Rs 20 crore.
To apply for central food license, the FBO must have the annual turnover exceeding Rs. 20 crores and needs to have operations in two or more states. All exporters and importers must apply for this license. The maximum tenure is for 5 years and minimum is for 1 year.
Validity of FSSAI Registration
The validity of an FSSAI registration is anywhere between 1 to 5 years. The licenses usually get renewed yearly after the payment of the license fee.
Consequences on Non-compliance
The food safety officer can issue an improvement notice where ever required as per Section 32 of the FSS Act, 2006. If (FBO) food business operator fails to comply with an improvement notice, then an officer in charge after giving a licensee an opportunity to show cause may also cancel his/her license. If any (FBO) food business operator aggrieved by an improvement notice, then he can appeal to the State Commissioner of Food Safety. The decision further can be challenged by way of appealing to the Food Safety Appellate Tribunal/High Court.
Conclusion
Food standards have always been the main concern of the Indian government. In order to maintain all these standards for the security and safety of health of the public, they have established the FSSAI registration for every type of food business operators in India. FSSAI Registration is slightly different from FSSAI License in the sense that is depending upon the size and nature of a business, FBO should obtain the necessary registration or license.
Read our article:How to Obtain an FSSAI License in India: Full Guide
