Start your journey towards food business success today by securing the FSSAI license! With this vital certification, your business can achieve new levels of recognition and compliance. Don’t wait any longer to begin—let us guide you through the application process and help you unlock the benefits!
Get expert assistance from CertificationsBay to navigate the FSSAI registration process smoothly!
Talk to Bharti Sharma our FSSAI License Expert.
Among India's Top Consulting Firms, delivering excellence in legal and compliance services.
CertificationsBay Offers the lowest fees without compromising on service, ensuring affordability for all.
A trusted platform, renowned for reliability, integrity, and client satisfaction. Rated 5- Stars by 100s of Clients.
Providing round-the-clock support, because your business success is our priority, every hour of every day.
The price of getting a FSSAI license from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will vary as per several criteria, including
Registration costs are also subject to change, Offering all-inclusive Licensing services in India, we understand these complexities and offers a comprehensive cost calculator. This tool provides a transparent estimation of all expenses involved in getting your FSSAI License.
The FSSAI license is a mandatory requirement for individual or entity operating in the food industry, including those starting a food stall, restaurant, bakery, hotel, or cloud kitchen in India. All Food Business Operators (FBOs), encompassing manufacturers, preparers, sellers, transporters, distributors, and food item storers, must register with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to conduct business.
The FSSAI, which stands for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, is the regulatory body overseeing the entire food industry in India. Established as an independent organization within the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Government of India, it ensures the quality of food provided to consumers. FBO owners submit an application for an FSSAI license through the FSSAI website to adhere to food quality standards.
Enacted in 2006, the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSS Act) serves as the legal framework for food safety and regulation in India. It mandates quality inspections for food products, thereby reducing instances of adulteration and the sale of substandard goods. Additionally, the FSS Act outlines operational guidelines for the Indian food industry and oversees the registration and licensing of FBOs nationwide. At CertificationsBay, we provide assistance in applying FSSAI licenses in India to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
The categorization of FSSAI licenses is determined by the type of business, sales, and manufacturing capacity of Food Business Operators (FBOs). Based on their production capacity and turnover, FBOs qualify for licenses such as Basic, State, and Central licenses.
Basic FSSAI Registration: FBOs with an annual turnover of less than Rs. 12 lakh are mandated to obtain Basic FSSAI Registration. The application process involves filling and submitting Form A to acquire Basic FSSAI Registration.
State FSSAI Food License: FBOs generating annual revenue between Rs. 12 lakh and Rs. 20 crore are obligated to apply for a State FSSAI Food License. To obtain this license, applicants need to complete and submit Form B.
Central FSSAI License: FBOs with an annual turnover exceeding Rs. 20 crore must apply for a Central FSSAI License. Acquiring a Central FSSAI License involves completing and submitting Form B.
All Food Business Operators (FBOs) functioning within the small-scale food industry are required to obtain an FSSAI Registration, which serves as a foundational license. This category encompasses the following entities:
Obtaining a FSSAI license in India offers several advantages:
The FSSAI License or Registration is required for Food Business Operators (FBOs) operating the following types of food businesses
To obtain an FSSAI license or registration, food business owners must submit the following documents:
Modifications to existing FSSAI license or registration records require the following documents:
To renew an existing FSSAI license or registration, the following documents are necessary:
Documents Requirements for State/Central FSSAI License, the following documents are required:
Our Team will help you prepare the required documents. Documents requirements varies depending on business model. Contact our team for guidance.
Throughout the FSSAI application process, applicants receive email or SMS alerts at various stages. Additionally, applicants can track their FSSAI registration status by entering the application reference number provided after submission on the FoSCoS website’s “Track Application Status” button.
Monitoring the application status allows individuals to follow the progression of their FSSAI registration. If the authorities have returned the application for necessary changes or clarifications, the status will indicate “Application Reverted.” To avoid application rejection, applicants must provide a valid response within 30 days from the date of reversal.
Once the FSSAI authorities issue the registration certificate, the status will change to “Registration Certificate Issued.” Applicants can then download the certificate from the FoSCoS website.
The process for applying an FSSAI license or registration is outlined below:
Small Food Business Application:
Compliance with Safety Standards:
Application Review and Inspection:
Inspection and Approval:
Compliance and Documentation:
Issuance of Registration Certificate:
Annual Inspection:
While FSSAI registration and FSSAI license may seem similar, their usage varies depending on the nature and scale of the business. Let’s delve into the distinctions:
| Criteria | FSSAI Registration | FSSAI License |
|---|---|---|
| Applicability | Small-scale food businesses | Medium and large-scale food businesses |
| Turnover | Required for businesses with an annual turnover of up to ₹12 lakhs | Required for businesses with an annual turnover of more than ₹12 lakhs |
| Scope | Limited to a specific local area | Allows activities across the country |
| Stringency | Less stringent | More comprehensive and mandatory |
| Validity | Valid for five years | The license is valid for five years |
In essence, FSSAI registration caters to small-scale food businesses with a turnover below ₹12 lakhs, while the FSSAI license is mandatory for medium and large-scale food businesses with turnovers exceeding ₹12 lakhs. The license offers broader scope and stricter compliance requirements, compared to the registration, and is valid for the same duration of five years.
Individuals holding food safety licenses and registrations are obligated to adhere to the regulations stipulated in the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006, which mandates an FSSAI license for all food businesses in India. Regular inspections of food business operators’ facilities are conducted by food safety officers, who utilize a checklist to assess compliance with regulations. The degree of compliance is classified as follows:
– Compliance (C)
– Non-compliance (NC)
– Partial compliance (PC)
– Not applicable/Not observed (NA)
In instances of non-compliance, food safety officers may issue improvement notices in accordance with Section 32 of the FSS Act of 2006. Following an opportunity for the licensee to provide an explanation, the officer possesses the authority to revoke the license if the improvement notice is disregarded. Operators of food companies have the right to contest improvement notices by lodging complaints with the State Commissioner of Food Safety or filing appeals with the Food Safety Appellate Tribunal or High Court.
Penalties for non-compliance include potential imprisonment and fines of up to Rs. 5 lakhs for operating a food business without a valid FSSAI license. Additionally, the FSS Act outlines criminal clauses prohibiting various offenses, such as trafficking unbranded food items, selling low-quality food products, and manufacturing unsafe food products, with fines ranging from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 5 lakhs, depending on the severity of the offense.
Prior to commencing operations, every food business operator in India must obtain an FSSAI license or registration. It is crucial to renew the FSSAI license in a timely manner before its expiration. The validity of a food business operator’s license may range from one year to a maximum of five years, with registration costs varying based on the license duration. According to FSSAI regulations, operators must apply for renewal at least thirty days before the expiration of their current food license.
Failure to submit the FSSAI renewal application (state and central) within the specified period may result in fines of Rs. 100 per day.
We streamline Corporate and Legal Compliances.
Choose from 100s of our services. We provide all Corporate and Legal Services (CLS) and help business align with regulatory requirements.
Subscribe to our Newsletter & Transform your Business. Keep yourself updated with latest regulations.
We make compliance certifications effortless and convenient. Our Team ensures that indian compliance certifications are both easy and convenient for our clients. We strive to simplify the process, making it effortless and hassle-free.