FSSAI stands for the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. It is an autonomous statutory body established under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.
The FSSAI was established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act). This Act was a landmark legislation that consolidated various food-related laws and regulations that existed prior to 2006, creating a single, unified body to regulate and monitor the food industry in India.
Core Objectives and Functions of FSSAI
The primary objective of FSSAI is to lay down science-based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import to ensure the availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.
Key functions of FSSAI include:
Setting Standards
Developing and enforcing science-based standards for various food products, food additives, contaminants, labelling, and packaging.
Licensing and Registration
Granting licenses and registrations to Food Business Operators (FBOs) to ensure they comply with food safety regulations.
Regulation and Monitoring
Regulating and monitoring the manufacturing, processing, storage, distribution, sale, and import of food.
Surveillance
Conducting surveys and inspections to identify food safety hazards and monitor compliance.
Accreditation
Laying down guidelines for the accreditation of laboratories and certification bodies for food safety management systems.
Consumer Awareness
Promoting public awareness about food safety and healthy eating habits.
Information Dissemination
Providing information and technical support to the government on food safety matters.
Training and Capacity Building
Promoting training and capacity building for food businesses and enforcement personnel.
Who Needs FSSAI License/Registration?
Any Food Business Operator (FBO) involved in any stage of the food business, including manufacturing, processing, storage, distribution, sale, packaging, import, and even re-labelling of food products, is required to obtain an FSSAI license or registration. This applies to a wide range of businesses, such as.
- Restaurants, hotels, cafes, dhabas, cloud kitchens
- Manufacturers and processors of food products
- Importers and exporters of food
- Wholesalers, retailers, distributors, and traders
- Packers and re-packers
- Caterers (including school canteens, corporate canteens, event caterers)
- Sweet shops, bakeries, snack shops
- Dairy units, meat shops, fish vendors
- Street food vendors, hawkers, temporary stalls
- Storage units (cold storage, warehouses)
- Transporters of food products
- E-commerce food businesses
- Even individuals selling homemade food on a small scale (depending on turnover)
Types of FSSAI License/Registration
The type of FSSAI authorization required depends on the scale, turnover, and nature of the food business operations. There are three main categories.
FSSAI Basic Registration
- Eligibility: For small-scale FBOs with an annual turnover of up to ₹12 Lakhs.
- Examples: Petty retailers, hawkers, small manufacturers (production capacity up to 100 kg/litre per day, except milk/meat), temporary stall holders, small caterers, etc.
- Application Form: Form A.
- Issued by: Designated Officer in the respective State Food Safety Department.
FSSAI State License
- Eligibility: For medium-sized FBOs with an annual turnover between ₹12 Lakhs and ₹20 Crores.
- Examples: Mid-sized manufacturers, large restaurants, hotels (up to 4-star), food service providers, larger retailers, distributors, storage units, etc., operating within a single state.
- Application Form: Form B.
- Issued by: Food Safety Commissioner of the concerned State.
FSSAI Central License
- Eligibility: For large-scale FBOs with an annual turnover exceeding ₹20 Crores. This also includes businesses operating in multiple states/UTs, importers, exporters, businesses supplying to central government establishments (like railways, airports, seaports, defense), and those with very high production capacities.
- Examples: Large manufacturers, food processing units, 5-star hotels and above, importers/exporters, businesses having operations in more than one state, etc.
- Application Form: Form B.
- Issued by: Central Licensing Authority of FSSAI.
How to Apply for FSSAI License/Registration
The application process is primarily online through the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal (https://foscos.fssai.gov.in/).
Determine Eligibility
Identify which type of license/registration (Basic, State, or Central) your business requires based on turnover, production capacity, and scope of operations.
Prepare Documents
Gather all the necessary documents. The required documents vary significantly based on the type of license and the nature of the business.
Register on FoSCoS
Create an account on the FoSCoS portal.
Fill Application Form
Complete the appropriate online application form (Form A for Basic, Form B for State/Central).
Upload Documents
Upload scanned copies of all supporting documents.
Pay Fees
Pay the applicable registration/license fee online. The fees vary based on the type of license and the duration (can be applied for 1 to 5 years).
Submit Application
Submit the application and note down the 17-digit application reference number for tracking.
Verification & Inspection
The FSSAI authorities will scrutinize the application and documents. For State and Central licenses, an inspection of the premises may be conducted by a Food Safety Officer.
Issuance
Upon successful verification and compliance with all standards, the FSSAI license/registration certificate will be issued, which can be downloaded from the portal.
Common Documents Required (Varies by License Type and Business Nature)
For Basic Registration (Form A)
- Photo identity proof of the FBO (owner/proprietor).
- Address proof of the business premises (rental agreement, electricity bill, etc.).
- Proof of business premises possession (e.g., rental agreement, sale deed).
- Nature of business details.
- List of food products manufactured/processed/stored/sold.
For State/Central License (Form B) – more comprehensive documents
- Duly filled and signed Form B.
- Proof of business premises possession (rent agreement, electricity bill, etc.).
- Proprietorship declaration, Partnership Deed, Certificate of Incorporation (for company/LLP).
- ID and address proof of proprietor/partners/directors/authorized signatory.
- Layout plan of the processing unit.
- List of equipment and machinery installed with capacity.
- List of food categories proposed to be manufactured/processed.
- Analysis report of water used in the process (from a recognized lab).
- Food Safety Management System (FSMS) plan or certificate.
- NOC from the municipality/local body (if applicable).
- Authority letter with name and address of responsible person (for manufacturers).
- Source of raw material for certain products (e.g., milk, meat).
- Declaration forms and undertakings.
- Annual Turnover details (Audited financial statements for higher turnover).
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Operating a food business without a valid FSSAI license/registration or failing to comply with FSSAI regulations can lead to severe penalties, including:
- Manufacturing/Selling Food without License: Fine up to ₹5 Lakhs and imprisonment up to 6 months.
- Sub-standard Food: Penalty up to ₹5 Lakhs.
- Misbranded Food: Penalty up to ₹3 Lakhs.
- Misleading Advertisements: Penalty up to ₹10 Lakhs.
- Food Containing Extraneous Matter: Penalty up to ₹1 Lakh.
- Unhygienic/Unsanitary Conditions: Penalty up to ₹1 Lakh.
- Possessing Adulterant: Penalty up to ₹10 Lakhs (if injurious to health).
- Unsafe Food: Imprisonment and substantial fines (can be very severe, leading to life imprisonment and high fines in case of death).
- Failure to Comply with Officer Directions: Penalty up to ₹1 Lakh.
- Failure to Maintain Records: Penalty up to ₹1 Lakh, and possible suspension of license.
- Importing Non-Compliant Food: Fine up to ₹10 Lakhs and/or imprisonment up to 3 years.
The FSSAI plays a critical role in ensuring food safety in India and is a mandatory compliance for any business dealing with food. It is highly recommended to seek assistance from a our tax expert to ensure accurate application and compliance.