Online Food License

Food License – Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a food authority established to perform the functions assigned under the Food Safety and Standards Act. This authority is a body corporate, having perpetual succession and a common seal with power to acquire, hold and dispose of property both movable and immovable and to contract.

FSSAI is a food authority which is under the control of Government of India and Ministry of Health and Family Affair. This authority has been established under the Food Safety and Security Act of 2006 and this authority set standards for food products besides regulating their production, storage, distribution, sales and imports to ensure they are safe for consumption. Food Safety and Security Act of 2006 applies to the whole of India.

Food Business Operators are required to obtain food license from the prescribed authority based on turnover, the scale of business and the type of activity.

In India, it is required to comply with the guidelines set by the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 to start any food business. It ensures smooth functioning of a food business. Food license by FSSAI ensures the standardization and safety of food products produced, manufactured and sold in the country.

Food License Registration

FSSAI Registration is essential for Food Business Operators. Food Business Operators can is weather wholesalers, manufacturers, suppliers, traders, Re-packers, etc.

Food License Registration depends upon the annual turnover of the Food Business.

No person shall commence or carry on any food business without obtaining food license from the food authority. For food business operators there is only one Application Form B to apply either for new FSSAI license or for FSSAI License renewal. Basically, food license is a 14- Digit registration number which is printed on food packages.

Food business operators have to apply for the food license and also have to comply with the following criteria specified under the rules & regulations of the government:

FSSAI Basic Registration

For those businesses whose turnover is below 12 Lakhs Annually.

FSSAI State license

For those businesses whose turnover is more than 12 lakhs but below 20 crores annually.

For those businesses whose turnover is more than 20 crores annually.

Annual Turnover Food License Below 12 Lakhs Form A 12-20 Lakhs Form B (State License) Above 20 Lakhs Form C (Central license)

Food Business Operator not having food license is liable to pay penalty for the offenses. Under the Food Safety and Security Act offenses and penalties related to food is defined.

FSSAI provides an opportunity of applying for Food Safety License online all over India. State License is issued by the state authorities operating in each state.

Advantages of Food License

High degree of consumer confidence in safety & quality of food.

Promote innovation in foods products.

Removal of multiple regulations.

Facilitates trade without compromising consumer safety & a larger share.

In case of injury or death of a customer, assures the safety of the consumer and ensures full compensation to the victim.

If you are planning to do a food business in India, then you need to follow certain guidelines and seek a food license to start a food business. In each country, there are certain laws & regulations regarding food license to ensure the safety of consumers and to protect the interest of consumers.

Food License Registration Procedure

There is a requirement of filing an application form (Form B) mentioned in Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses), Regulations 2011.

Here are the following documents are required to be attached to an application form:

Declaration according to the format given in Annexure I and it should be self-attested.

Copy of all the documents provided in Annexure 2.

Fees prescribed in Schedule 3 and it will depend upon the food business category.

Documents Required

In case of a proprietorship, Identity proof & Address proof of the proprietor.

List of concern food categories.

A complete layout of the manufacturing, storage or distribution facility.

Name of the business.

Food Analysis Report.

Source of Raw Material.

NOC from the local municipality.

Application Number

After receiving the complete application, an application Id number is issued including additional information from the authority. This ID number is used for future correspondence and for other references. Within 60 days of the issue of such application ID number, the license is issued.

Inspection Report

After issuing the application ID number, licensing authority may direct an officer to inspect the premises at the place of business. Inspection is done according to the regulations prescribed.

An Inspection officer may issue a notice to take necessary steps on your premises to ensure general sanitary and hygienic conditions. After receiving the notice one need to take the required steps for any changes or alteration on premises and then intimate to authority within 30 days or specific time allowed for it.

License Approval

Within 30 days from the receipt of the inspection report, licensing authority may either grant a license or will reject the application. An opportunity of being heard is given to the party before rejecting an application. Licensing authority issue the license in format C, schedule 2 of the regulations. A copy of the food license is required to be displayed in a prominent place of business premises.