FSSAI Registration – Importance,Documents and Process for FSSAI Registration

What is FSSAI?

Food Safety & Standards Authority of India is a government body that is responsible for monitoring & governing the quality standards of food business in India. It ensures that the food products are quality assured for human consumption and are strictly checked by the quality checking procedure thereby removing the chances of food adulteration and keep a check on the selling of sub-standard food items.

In India, it has the authority to provide FSSAI registration, FSSAI license against FBO (Food Business Operators) and making the rules & regulations statutory for all business in the food industry.

Importance of FSSAI Registration

To ensure high edible quality all food item manufacturers, processors & store distributors must obtain the FSSAI food license or registration from the authority. Depending on the size of the food business, it is necessary for the FBO to obtain an FSSAI registration or FSSAI license, as these two are different in terms of nature. FSSAI number is the 14 digit number displayed on food packages to provide authenticity. FSSAI registration process is aimed at creating more liability for the FBO for quality assurance of the food item.

Registration Process

License or registration of FBO is based on the size, volume, turnover, location of the business.

Types of FSSAI Registration:

• Central License (Large Food Business)
• State License (Medium Food Business)
• Registration (Small Food Business)

Requirements for FSSAI Online Registration 

FSSAI certificate is compulsory for every business in the food sector. Small scale business in the food sector covers the following:

• Business with a turnover of less than Rs. 12 Lakhs
• Small retailer of food products
• Individual Manufacturer or seller of food items
• Temporary stall holders selling foods
• Individual delivering food in religious or social gathering excluding caterer
• Small scale cottage industries include the following
• Business with food production capacity excluding Milk & Meat, up to 100 Kg / Ltr Per Day
• Business in procurement & collection of Milk, up to 500Ltr per day
• Business with a slaughtering capacity of 2 Large Animals, 10 Small Animals or 50 Poultry birds per day

FSSAI Online Application Procedure

• The first step is to submit the application Form A to the Food & Safety Department
•  The department will notify the status in writing as accepted or rejected within 7 working days to the applicant
• In case the application is processed and accepted, the department then provides a registration certificate with registration number and applicant’s photo
• FBO can display the certificate as and when required

Important Documents for FSSAI certification

• Completed FSSAI registration Form B
• Photo Identity of Applicant
• Proof of Ownership/ Rental of the Premises
• Partnership Deed/ Incorporation Certificate
• List of Food and Products
• Food Safety & Security Management Plan

Requirements for FSSAI License

FSSAI license has to be obtained for all FBOs, only excluding the small-scale businesses. This can be widely divided into two categories, State FSSAI & Central FSSAI

Generally, importers & exporters of large scale food business are entitled to certification from the central government whereas mid-size businesses, manufacturing units etc need to attain the certification from the state government.

Important documents for getting a license from Central Government

• Signed & Completed FSSAI registration Form B
• BluePrint/ Proper architecture plan of the processing unit clearly depicting the dimension and allocation of operational areas
• Complete details of all members like Proprietor, Partner, Directors including the address, contact details, photo ID etc.
• List of equipment & machinery to be used with the clear number and capacity
• List of manufactured food categories
• Authority letter nominating a person responsible by the manufacturer
• Water analysis report, that will be used in the manufacturing to confirm the quality standards
• Sources for milk, meat etc as raw materials that are to be used in manufacturing
• 100% EOU certificate from the Ministry of Commerce
• No objection certificate/PA document issued by FSSAI
• Document with IE code provided by DGFT
• Form IX
• Ministry of Tourism Certificate
• Proof of premises ownership
• Partnership deep
• Affidavit of proprietorship
• NOC from manufacturer
• Management plan ensuring the Food Safety
• NOC from municipality & local bodies
• Proof of transportation
• Declaration form

Important documents for getting a license from State Government

• Signed & Completed Form B
• BluePrint/ Proper architecture plan of the processing unit clearly depicting the dimension and allocation of operational areas
• Complete details of all members like Proprietor, Partner, Directors including the address, contact details, photo ID etc
• List of equipment & machinery to be used with the clear number and capacity
• List of manufactured food categories
• Authority letter nominating a person responsible by the manufacturer
• Water analysis report, that will be used in the manufacturing to confirm the quality standards
• Proof of premises ownership
• Partnership deep
• Affidavit of proprietorship
• NOC from manufacturer
• Management plan ensuring the Food Safety
• NOC from municipality & local bodies
• Certificate’s copy obtained under COOP Act 1861/ 2002

Various forms of documents need to be submitted for conversion, renewal & modification of the license.

Results of Non-Compliance

Any FBO registered under FSSAI has to adhere to the guidelines laid by the FSSAI under the FSS Act 2006. Under any circumstance, any violation of the rules cannot be granted, moreover, the Food safety officer conducts a regular inspection and generates reports for the same using a checklist of food quality standards. Based on the food standard the officer marks the products as below:

• Compliance (C)
• Non-Compliance (NC)
• Partial Compliance (PC)
• Not Applicable (NA)

If the FBO fails to meet the requirement, the officer based on the above interpretation can issue an improvement notice under sec 32, FSS Act 2006, or may cancel the license. Any FBO can later appeal to the State Commissioner of Food Safety for further processing.

Penalty for Non- Compliance