A food license also called as the FSSAI Registration is a legal document issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, legally granting a business owner the authority to operate in the Food Industry in India. This mandatory-to-obtain licence certifies and validates the business’s credibility with regard to compliance of provisions, rules, procedures and safety & quality standards as prescribed under the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the said Act’ for the sake of brevity). With the onset of the digital realm, it has become all the more easier to secure FSSAI registration online. Read our article to know all about, FSSAI Food License, FSSAI Registration online, benefits, procedures, FSSAI registration fees etc.

WHAT IS FOOD LICENSE? NECESSITY TO APPLY FOR FSSAI FOOD LICENSE REGISTRATION?

As per Section 31 of the said Act, no person in India is authorised to conduct any business involving food, except under a license. Such licence is to be obtained from FSSAI, as provided under the Food Safety & Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Business) Regulations, 2011.

It is a mandatory for any person or entity involved in any of the following activities in the Food Industry to obtain a FSSAI Food License Registration:

1. Manufacturing– For Ex: A factory producing chocolates
2. Packaging– For Ex: A business packaging spices for retail
3. Distribution– For Ex: A distributor supplying soft drinks to supermarkets.
4. Storage– For Ex: A cold storage facility storing dairy products.
5. Sale– For Ex: A bakery selling pastries and cakes.
6. Importing– For Ex: A company importing gourmet cheese from Europe.
7. Exporting– For Ex: A business exporting Indian snacks to the USA.
8. Catering– For Ex: A catering service providing food for weddings.
9. Restaurants– For Ex: A restaurant serving meals to customers.
10. Online Food Delivery– For Ex: A cloud kitchen delivering meals via apps like Swiggy or Zomato.
11. Wholesaling– For Ex: A wholesale supplier of grains and pulses.
12. Retailing– For Ex: A grocery store selling packaged and fresh food items.
13. Street Food Vending– For Ex: A food truck selling burgers and sandwiches.
14. Food Ingredients Supply– For Ex: A business supplying raw ingredients like flour and sugar to bakeries.
15. Repackaging– For Ex: A company repackaging dry fruits for retail sale.

Thus, any food business involving the manufacturing, storage, distribution, sale, import and, encompassing, inter alia, restaurant establishments food processing factories, food delivery ventures are required to have a food license in order to be able to operate in whatsoever territories the Act applies.

Furthermore, in case such a food business establishment operates without a license or fails to renew the term of said license (term of the license may vary with the type of license issued), same may result in a penalty up to 5 lakh rupees and/or imprisonment up to 6 months as given in Section 63 of the Act.

However, the eligibility criteria for the above mentioned is a turnover exceeding 12 lakh rupees per annum. For smaller food business operations (FBOs), an FSSAI Registration certificate becomes mandatory and the same becomes applicable upon small vendors, hawkers, stall-holders etc. 

Why Does Your Business Need a FSSAI Food License Registration?

It becomes mandatory for anyone who wants to start a restaurant, bakery, hotel, cloud kitchen, food stand, Factory, Storage Unit, Distribution channel etc. relating to food in India to register for FSSAI. Here are some reasons why your business needs an FSSAI registration online:

1. Statutory Compliance: It is a legal necessity for any business involved in the production, handling or sale of Food Articles to obtain FSSAI Registration in India, failure to do which, may result in Imprisonment upto 6 months and fine upto 5 lakh rupees as per section 63 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
2. Adherence to Food Standards: Obtaining food license is not just about securing a document. Food license is an indication that your business adheres to the quality and safety standards as laid down under the said act.
3. People’s Trust: Obtaining a food license, without a doubt, boosts people’s trust in an establishment concerning food, as it communicates to consumers that the food business is legitimate, and that it is concerned with food safety. FSSAI license is effective in influencing customers to consider a particular food business because they understand the extent of the importance of food safety.
4. Growth Possibilities: Food businesses can also get a license from the FSSAI, which can further their growth. Sellers with FSSAI License registration are allowed to supply food to government establishments, schools and hospitals, all of which require the supplier to possess an FSSAI food license. For food companies, this could have potential implications for new means of generating returns.
5. Having Access to Data: Businesses that sell food and get an FSSAI license registration can also get helpful information and tools about food quality and safety. The FSSAI gives food businesses regular information and advice on best practices that can help them run better and keep up with the latest changes in the industry.
6. Brand Reputation: Food businesses can improve the image of their brand by getting an FSSAI license online. A food business with an FSSAI food license shows customers, suppliers, and other important people that it takes quality and safety seriously.

PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATION OF FSSAI Food License Registration

The application process for an FSSAI registration online is provided as below:

Step 1: Determine the Type of Needed license. The same may be:

1. Basic License: For small-scale businesses.
2. State License: For medium-sized businesses.
3. Central License: For large-scale or multinational businesses.

Step 2: Prepare Documentation required for the application of license, being:

1. Proof of identity and address of the applicant.
2. Proof of business address.
3. Partnership deed or Memorandum of Association (MOA) for companies.
4. Food safety management system (FSMS) plan.
5. Details of food products handled.
6. Additional Requirements:
7. No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the local municipal authority.
8. Importer-exporter code (for businesses involved in import/export).

Step 3: Online Application. The following may be done as below:

1. Register on the FSSAI portal, via FoSCoS – FSSAI
2. Select the location of Food Unit, the same may be regular premises, Railway Station or Airport/ Seaport.
3. Select the kind of business and eligibility for license/ registration as has eben provided on the portal itself for convenience.
4. Fill premises details and select Food Product Categories and Products appropriate for your business.
5. A 17-digit user ID will be created based on Application reference number, which would be used further on to track the progress of application so submitted.
6. Upload necessary documents, fill communication details provided in the application form.
7. Submit processing fee along with the application. 

Step 4: Application Review. The following is performed by competent authorities in order to ensure the credibility of the applicant’s business.

1. Scrutiny of application by FSSAI officials.
2. Possible inspections of the premises by competent authority.

Step 5: License Issuance

1. Issuance of the food license will be done by FSSAI upon the establishment of credibility of your application.
2. Duration and validity period is license specific, and the same shall depend upon the kind of license so granted.
3. Renewal process too is online[1], with renewal mandated before the expiry date or after the expiry date with penalties enumerated in regulations of FSSAI.
4. FSSAI registration fees depends on various factors, therefore, it is suggested to contact a legal advisor to guide you regarding the same.

CONCLUSION

The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 has made compulsory for food establishments, with eligibility criteria so satisfied, to obtain a fssai license registration so as to operate. The same is essential in order to protect consumers from potentially life-threatening situations and to establish and maintain the standards of quality of food that reaches the public at large. 

The application process has further been made ever so convenient with option to apply for Food licence online with the help of Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS), which is an advanced version of Food Licensing and Registration System (FLRS), launched in 2012 for issuance of pan-India FSSAI Licenses and Registration. The steps enumerated above for the obtaining of a food license can be done in the convenience of one’s home, however, it is essential that one remains vigilant and updated with regards to the changes that may be made in regulations and license pre-requisites as may be amended in accordance to the need of the hour.

[1] FoSCoS – FSSAI

Read more about Food/ FSSAI License: FSSAI Registration – tmwala.com

Government Website for obtaining Food/ FSSAI License https://fssai.gov.in/