FSSAI Registration Introduction
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) was established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, with two key objectives:
- To consolidate various acts and laws related to food regulation across different departments and ministries for streamlined management.
- To establish science-based standards for food production, storage, distribution, import, and sale, ensuring food safety and quality for human consumption.
As the single regulatory authority, FSSAI sets standards, rules, and regulations, directly reporting to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
With these objectives, FSSAI unified all food-related laws under one framework, making it mandatory for all food-related businesses to comply with its guidelines and register under the FSSAI Act, 2006.
For hassle-free registration and timely approval, FSSAI registration consultants assist businesses in obtaining the necessary food license with proper documentation.
Who Needs FSSAI Registration Certificate?
An FSSAI Registration Certificate is mandatory for the following categories if their annual turnover exceeds INR 12 Lakh:
- Food Business Operators (FBOs) who produce or sell food products.
- Food retailers, itinerant vendors, or hawkers.
- Temporary or permanent food stallholders.
- Large and medium-scale industries involved in the food business.
- Food business operators with a yearly turnover greater than 12 Lakh INR.
Additionally, FSSAI Registration is required based on the production & procurement quantity, specifically in the following cases:
- Per day production capacity of food products exceeds 100 kg or liters.
- Per day procurement or handling of milk exceeds 500 liters.
- Per day slaughtering capacity exceeds 2 large animals, 10 small animals, or 50 poultry birds.
Businesses with an annual turnover of less than INR 12 Lakh are not required to obtain an FSSAI food license.
Benefits of FSSAI Registration
Upon successful registration, businesses receive a 14-digit registration number, which is printed on food products alongside the license number. The benefits of FSSAI registration include:
1. Consumer Trust:
In today’s world, consumers are increasingly aware of the quality and safety of food. An FSSAI registration boosts consumer confidence, making them more likely to trust your product, thereby expanding your customer base.
2. Brand Image & Marketing:
An FSSAI number acts as a mark of quality, positioning your product as reliable and compliant with food safety regulations. This creates a competitive advantage over unregistered operators and enhances brand reputation.
3. Business Expansion:
Holding an FSSAI license provides credibility, helping you expand your business. Reputable brands with a valid food license are more likely to secure loans from financial institutions for further growth and have higher chances of success.
4. Legal Protection:
An FSSAI registration safeguards your brand from fraudulent use and helps avoid penalties for non-compliance with government regulations, ensuring that your business adheres to legal standards.
Types of FSSAI Registration/License
Just as GST registration varies depending on the type of business, the FSSAI registration also differs based on the nature and scale of the food-related firm. Below are the various types of FSSAI Registration and their suitability for different businesses, along with the eligibility criteria:
1. FSSAI Basic Registration
Eligibility: Annual turnover less than 12 Lakhs INR
The FSSAI Basic Registration is for small food businesses or start-ups. If a business has an annual turnover of less than INR 12 Lakhs, it is required to obtain a basic FSSAI license. This type of registration is ideal for small businesses or individuals entering the food industry. The turnover is calculated on a yearly basis.
2. FSSAI State License Registration
Eligibility: Annual turnover between 12 Lakhs INR and 20 Crores INR
The FSSAI State License is required by medium-sized businesses whose annual turnover exceeds INR 12 Lakhs but is less than INR 20 Crores. This type of registration is for businesses that have grown beyond the small-scale operations and need a more comprehensive license to continue their operations. It is suitable for food manufacturers, wholesalers, and medium-sized food businesses operating within specific states.
3. FSSAI Central License Registration
Eligibility: Annual turnover greater than 20 Crores INR
The FSSAI Central License is for businesses with larger-scale operations. This registration is mandatory for companies with an annual turnover exceeding 20 Crores INR or for businesses that are engaged in the import/export of food products. The central license is also required for food businesses that wish to make supplies to government departments or engage in large-scale operations across states.
Eligibility for an FSSAI Central License
The FSSAI Central License is required for larger food businesses with specific operations, production capacities, or scale of turnover. Below are the detailed eligibility criteria based on different categories:
- Dairy Units: Units equipped for handling or processing 50,000 liters of liquid milk/day or 2,500 MT of milk solids per annum.
- Vegetable Oil Processing Units: Units involved in oil production via the solvent extraction process or refineries, with production capacity above 2 MT/day.
Slaughtering Units:
- Large animals: Slaughtering capacity more than 50/day.
- Small animals: Slaughtering capacity more than 150/day.
- Poultry birds: Slaughtering capacity more than 1,000/day.
- Meat Processing Units: Capacity of more than 500 kg/day or 150 MT per annum.
- Food Processing Units (Including Relabellers & Repackers): Capacity of more than 2 MT/day (excluding cereals, pulses, and grains milling units).
- Proprietary Foods: All businesses manufacturing proprietary foods, regardless of production limits.
- 100% Export-Oriented Units: All businesses involved in 100% export-related activities, regardless of production limits.
1. Manufacturers
1. Dairy Units: Units equipped for handling or processing 50,000 liters of liquid milk/day or 2,500 MT of milk solids per annum.
2. Vegetable Oil Processing Units: Units involved in oil production via the solvent extraction process or refineries, with production capacity above 2 MT/day.
3. Slaughtering Units:
Large animals: Slaughtering capacity more than 50/day.
Small animals: Slaughtering capacity more than 150/day.
Poultry birds: Slaughtering capacity more than 1,000/day.
4. Meat Processing Units: Capacity of more than 500 kg/day or 150 MT per annum.
5. Food Processing Units (Including Relabellers & Repackers): Capacity of more than 2 MT/day (excluding cereals, pulses, and grains milling units).
6. Proprietary Foods: All businesses manufacturing proprietary foods, regardless of production limits.
7. 100% Export-Oriented Units: All businesses involved in 100% export-related activities, regardless of production limits.
2. Importers
All importers involved in the import of food items, including additives and food ingredients, for business use.
3. Other Businesses
Storage:
- Non-Controlled Atmosphere & Cold: Capacity of more than 50,000 MT.
- Cold/Refrigerated Storage: Capacity of more than 1,000 MT.
- Controlled Atmosphere + Cold Storage: Capacity of more than 1,000 MT.
- Wholesalers: Turnover above INR 30 crores.
- Retailers: Turnover above INR 20 crores.
- Distributors: Turnover above INR 20 crores.
- Suppliers: Turnover above INR 20 crores.
- Caterers: Turnover above INR 20 crores.
- Hotels: Five Star & Above. Restaurants: Turnover above INR 20 crores. Transporters: Turnover above INR 30 crores or owning more than 100 vehicles/wagons. Marketers: Turnover above INR 20 crores.
4. Premises in Central Government Agencies
- Food Catering Services: In organizations or units under Central Government agencies such as Defence and Military.
- Storage, Retailer, Wholesaler, Distributor: Establishments in Central Government Agencies.
5. Premises in Air / Seaport
- Food Catering Services: In organizations & units under Central Government agencies located at Seaports (Kandla, Kolkata, Tuticorin, Marmagoa, Cochin, Visakhapatnam, Chennai, Mumbai, JNPT) or Airports (Kolkata, Trichy, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Amritsar, Bengaluru, Cochin, Hyderabad, Trivandrum).
- Storage, Retailer, Wholesaler, Distributor: At Seaports and Airports mentioned above.
Eligibility Criteria for FSSAI State License
The FSSAI State License is typically required for food businesses that are medium-sized and whose operations fall within specific thresholds in terms of production capacity or annual turnover. Below are the eligibility criteria based on different categories:
1. Manufacturers
Dairy Units (Including Milk Chilling Units):
- Handling/processing 501 to 50,000 LPD (liters per day) of milk.
- 2.5 MT to 2,500 MT of milk solids per annum.
Vegetable Oil Processing Units & Refineries:
- Up to 2 MT/day of vegetable oil production or solvent extraction.
- Turnover: Above INR 12 lakh.
Slaughtering Units:
- Large Animals: More than 2 but less than 50/day.
- Small Animals: More than 10 but up to 150/day.
- Poultry Birds: More than 50 but up to 1,000/day.
Meat Processing Units:
- Up to 500 kg of meat/day or up to 150 MT per annum.
- Food Processing Units (Including Relabellers & Repackers):
- Above 100 kg/liter to 2 MT/day of production.
- All cereals, pulses, and grains milling units.
2. Other Businesses
Storage (Non-Controlled Atmosphere & Cold):
Capacity up to 50,000 MT.
Storage (Cold/Refrigerated):
Capacity up to 10,000 MT.
Storage (Controlled Atmosphere + Cold):
Capacity up to 1,000 MT.
Wholesalers:
Turnover up to INR 30 crores.
Retailers:
Turnover up to INR 20 crores.
Distributors:
Turnover up to INR 20 crores.
Suppliers:
Turnover up to INR 20 crores.
Caterers:
Turnover up to INR 20 crores.
Dhaba, Boarding Houses, Home-Based Canteens/Dabbawalas, Banquet Halls:
Turnover above INR 12 lakh annually.
Food Arrangements/Stalls in Religious Fairs:
Turnover above INR 12 lakh annually.
Fish/Meat/Poultry Shops or Any Other Food Vending Establishment:
Turnover above INR 12 lakh annually.
Clubs/Canteens:
Turnover above INR 12 lakh annually.
Hotels:
Three Star & Above or Below Five Star with Turnover above INR 12 lakh.
Or Up to Three Star hotels with Turnover above INR 12 lakh.
Restaurants:
Turnover up to INR 20 crores.
Transporters:
Up to 100 vehicles/wagons or Turnover up to INR 30 crores.
Marketers:
Turnover up to INR 20 crores.
Premises in Central Government
Food Catering services in establishments & units under Central Government Agencies such as Railways, Air and Airport, Seaport, Defence & so on- Food Catering Services in Seaport/Airport other than Seaport located at Kandla, Tuticorin, Visakhapatnam, Kolkata, Marmagoa Cochin, Mumbai, Chennai, JNPT or Airport other than located at Kolkata, Trichy, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Amritsar, Cochin, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Trivandrum, Ahmedabad.
Details and Documents for FSSAI Registration
- The process of an FSSAI licence application or registration requires the submission of the important documents.
- Rent Agreement
- Entity Proof
- List of Food Products
- Photograph Identity
FSSAI Registration Process
The process of obtaining an FSSAI Registration/License is straightforward and involves four key steps:
1. Filling of Application Form
- The first step in the FSSAI registration process is to fill out the application form (Form A) with the food and safety department.
- Applicants need to provide all necessary details about their food business, including the type of food products, business size, and turnover.
2. Application Acceptance or Rejection
- After submission, the Department reviews the application to check if it meets the required criteria.
- The acceptance or rejection of the application is communicated to the applicant within 7 days from the date of submission.
3. Allotment of Registration Certificate
- Once the application is accepted, the Certificate of Registration is issued to the applicant.
- The certificate will bear a Registration Number and a photo of the applicant for identity verification.
4. Presentation of Registration Certificate
After obtaining the registration certificate, the Food Business Operator (FBO) must display the Certificate of Registration at the place of business. This ensures transparency and builds trust with customers and authorities.
Important Points about FSSAI Registration/License
Governing Sections: The FSS Act, 2006 (Section 31(1) and Section 31(2)) outlines the regulations for registration and licensing.
Regulatory Body: The Food Safety and Standards (Licensing & Registration of a Food Business) Regulations, 2011 governs the process.
Online Registration System: FSSAI has developed an Online Food Licensing & Registration System to streamline and simplify the application process.
Inspection Criteria: The Schedule 4 of FSS (Licensing & Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011 outlines the sanitary and hygienic standards that food businesses must adhere to for compliance.
By following these steps and guidelines, food businesses can successfully obtain FSSAI registration and ensure compliance with food safety standards.