Under the FSSAI Act, 2006, every FBO has to complied with specific requirements. Therefore, any one dealing with food products requires a FSSAI Registration.

FSSAI stands for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. This regulatory body was set up to access the quality standards of business that handles food products. The FSSAI authority is the main regulatory body dealing with issuing food licenses in India.

FSSAI was established by Government of India on 5 August 2011 under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 which is operational since 2006. The Food Safety and Standards Act (FSS), 2006 is the primary law for the regulation of food products. This act also sets up the formulation and enforcement of food safety standards in India. The FSSAI appoints food safety authorities on the state level.

The Authority was set up to comply with international food safety standards as an autonomous institution to administer the quality of food in India. This institution ensures that the food is unadulterated and safe for consumption for human beings. Quality checks would be conducted as prescribed by the FSSAI.

Any industry dealing with food products has to secure this license. For instance, the manufacturer has to secure this license. Apart from this, any food manufacturing company also requires this license. Hence, it is crucial to abide by the rules of the FSSAI.

Requirement for FSSAI Registration

Under the FSSAI Act, 2006, every food operator has specific requirements that have to be complied with. Under sections 31(1) and 31(2) of the Act, every food operator must take this license from the relevant authority.

Both the terms FSSAI license and FSSAI registration do not mean the same, as these terms would be determined based on the size of the business. Every business dealing in food products would have to go for an online FSSAI registration.

Previously the registration process for FSSAI was conducted online through Food Licensing and Registration System (FLRS). Since November 2020, the Food Safety and Compliance System (FosCos) has replaced the previous system (FLRS). It is an important update that is required to be adhered to.

If an applicant requires a new license then the system under FosCos has to be utilised. Any registered user having a license under the previous system would have to verify the details of the license under the FosCos.

When the business is registered, a 14-digit number would be generated for the user. This number consists of 5 parts which are unique in their way. This number has to be present where the business is operating. Apart from this, the number must also be affixed to all the packages of products.

Food Business Operators or FBOs

Under this system, operators dealing with food products are known as FBOs or Food Business Operators. Under section 3(0) of the Act, the Food Business Operator is an individual or owner of the business, who takes all the precautions and measures to ensure compliance, is present under the Act.

Types of FSSAI Licenses

Basic FSSAI License

Any FBO having a turnover of less than 12 lakhs per annum must go for basic FSSAI registration. Hence, any business that serves food and is considered a petty food business would require this license. The applicant has to fill details in Form-A and submit it to the FSSAI to secure this form of license.

Which FBO requires basic registration?

  • Any FBO or dhaba or footstall which has turnover of lesser than 12 lakhs per annum.
  • Petty Food Stalls.
  • Cottage Industries.
  • Vegetable Units.
  • Milk producing units – This would be equivalent to about 2.5 metric tons of milk-based solids. Hence FSSAI registration is required for such units. Any milk outlet producing more than 500 litres of milk.
  • The slaughterhouse must have the capacity of at least two large animals or 50 poultry birds. It would be applicable for a slaughterhouse that has ten small animals also.

Required Documents for Basic FSSAI Registration

  1. Authorized person address proof
  2. Passport size photo
  3. Business name and address
  4. Fssai declaration form
  5. Nature of business details

State FSSAI License

Any FBO having a turnover of more than Rs 12 Lakhs per annum and less than Rs. 20 crore must go for the state FSSAI license. A medium-sized food business operator should consider this form of license. The applicant has to fill details in Form- B and submit it to the FSSAI to secure this form of license.

Which FBO requires State registration?

  • Any FBO with an annual turnover of more than 12 lakhs and less than 20 crores.
  • Branded Food Products and Businesses.
  • 4 Star Hotels and Resorts.
  • Storage Houses having a capacity of 50,000 metric tonnes. It must be measured on an annual basis.
  • Dairy Units that handle, process, or procure milk products between 500 to 50000 litres capacity.
  • Slaughter House – 50 Large animals or 150 small animals of 1000 poultry birds.

Required Documents for State FSSAI License

  1. Rental Agreement of Business Premises.
  2. ID Proof of the Concerned Person (Aadhaar Card / Driving License / Passport / Voter ID)
  3. If any Government Registration Certificates ( Company Incorporation Certificate / Firm Registration / Partnership Deed / Pan card / GST Registration Number / Shop and Establishment Registration / Trade License)
  4. If the applicant is a private limited company or partnership firm, they should provide MOA & AOA or Partnership deed copy.
  5. For applying State License any One of the following certificate is compulsory ( Trade license, Shop and Establishment Registration, Panchayath License, Corporation License, Municipality License )
  6. Nature of Business.
  7. Fssai declaration form

Central FSSAI License

For this form of license, the applicant must have a turnover of more than 20 crores per annum. Any large food business or government office supplying food to other countries must secure this form of license. The applicant has to fill details in Form- B and submit it to the FSSAI to secure this form of license.

Which FBO requires Central Registration?

  • Any FBO with an annual turnover of more than 20 crores.
  • Production of any form of vegetable oil or solvent which exceeds the capacity of 2 metric tonnes per day. This would include solvent extraction and refineries.
  • Clubs, Hotels or Resorts with branches more than one state.
  • 5 star hotels and resorts
  • Whole Salers whose annual turnover exceeds 30 crores.
  • Airports, Railways, Defence and Other Services which are provided by the Central Government.
  • Dairy Units producing or handling milk more than 50,000 litres per day.
  • Slaughter House – More than50 Large animals or 150 small animals of 1000 poultry birds.
  • Storage Houses those having more than 50,000 metric tonnes of capacity. It must be measured on an annual basis.

Required Documents for FSSAI Central License

  1. Rental Agreement of Business Premises.
  2. ID Proof of the Concerned Person (Aadhaar Card / Driving License / Passport / Voter ID)
  3. If any Government Registration Certificates ( Company Incorporation Certificate / Firm Registration / Partnership Deed / Pan card / GST Registration Number / Shop and Establishment Registration / Trade License)
  4. If the applicant is a private limited company or partnership firm then they should provide MOA & AOA or Partnership deed copy.
  5. IE Code (Import Export Code) Certificate (for the category of export and import IE code is compulsory)
  6. Authority letter from the company letterhead to the concerned person stating that he is authorized to file FSSAI application.
  7. List of food categories desired to be manufactured (In the case of manufacturers).

If you are applying for the manufacturing category, please arrange the following documents also.

  1. Manufacturing unit photos
  2. Plant Layouts & Product details.
  3. Machinery details used for production in your company letterhead (Capacity & Horse Power details)

If your business is into a mineral water plant, then a water test report is also compulsory.

FSSAI License Registration Cost

  1. Fees for basic registration: INR 100
  2. Fees for license issued by central licensing authority: INR 7500
  3. Fees for license issued by state licensing authority
    • Manufacturer / Miller Above 1 MT per day production or 10,0001 to 50,000 LPD of milk or 501 MT of milk solids per annum: INR 5000
    • Manufacturer / Miller Below 1 MT of production or 501 10,000 LPD of milk or 2.5 MT to 500 MT of milk solids per annum: INR 3000
  4. Hotels 3 star and above: INR 5000
  5. All food service providers including restaurants/boarding houses, clubs etc. serving food, canteens (school, collages, offices, institutions), caterers, banquet halls with food catering arrangements, food vendors like dabba wallas etc.: INR 2000
  6. Any other food business operator: INR 2000

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