FSSAI registration is important to have if you belongs to the food production, distribution, and transportation industry. This blog discusses the FSSAI, FSSAI registration, FSSAI certificate, FSSAI rules and regulation, and all other related details to FSSAI that you must know.
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What is FSSAI?
FSSAI is the abbreviation for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. FSSAI is an autonomous organization established by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and monitors and governs the food business in India. The FSSAI India has headquarters in New Delhi and 6 regional offices in Delhi, Mumbai, Guwahati, Kolkata, Chennai, and Cochin.
The FSSAI was established under the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006. According to the FSSAI rules, no person can start or carry on a food business without obtaining an FSSAI license or FSSAI registration. So, it is a must for a processing, packaging, or food distributing entity to obtain an FSSAI registration or FSSAI license.
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The FSSAI license and registration is valid only for one-two years. The applicant can renew the FSSAI license before the end of its validity.
Why is FSSAI Registration Important?
Every business operator involved in the food business–manufacturing, processing, storage, distribution, and sale should compulsorily have an FSSAI registration. The FSSAI registration is a 14-digit license number which must be printed on all the food packages. The main purpose of the FSSAI registration is to create more accountability on the part of the Food Business Operator (FBO) in terms of the quality of the food. The FSSAI certificate of the FBO ensures the quality and safety of the food products. It is important for the manufacturer to print the FSSAI license number of the product.
What is the Difference between FSSAI Registration & FSSAI License?
As per the Food Safety and Standards Regulation, 2011, all food operator must have either the FSSAI license or FSSAI registration, if they are involved in the sale, distribution, transportation, storage, and manufacturing of the food products. The basic difference between the FSSAI license and the FSSAI registration is based on the size and nature of the FBO.
What is FSSAI Registration?
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FSSAI registration is required for petty Food Business Operators who:
- Manufacture or sell any food article himself or a retailer, itinerant vendor, hawker, etc.
- Distributes food in religious and social gatherings, except a caterer
- Other businesses related to food whose annual turnover does not exceed INR 12 lakhs and
- Their food production capacity should not exceed 100kg or litre/day (other than meat and meat products and milk and milk products)
- Their collection of milk it up to 500-litre milk/day
- Their slaughtering capacity is 50 poultry birds or 10 small animals or 2 large animals/day
All the petty FBO are required to obtain the FSSAI registration. They can obtain the same by submitting an FSSAI registration form in Form A. After the submission of the application form, the FSSAI registration would be rejected or accepted within 7 days by the authority.
The information in the FSSAI registration include the details of the registration and a photograph of the applicant. It is mandatory to display the certificate at the food business place, at all times.
What is FSSAI License?
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All the entity who does not classify as petty business operators are required to obtain the FSSAI license in India. The FSSAI license in India is of two types, namely State FSSAI License and Central FSSAI License. The licensing authority changes based on the size and nature of the business.
The large food manufacturers, processors, transporters, or importers are required to obtain Central FSSAI license whereas the medium-sized food manufacturers require State FSSAI License.
The fee and procedure for FSSAI License are extensive in comparison to FSSAI registration. An FSSAI license can be obtained by filling the particulars in Form B along with the self-attested affidavit, declaration, and annexures.
Usually, an FSSAI License is granted for 1-5 years as requested by the FBO. Noteworthy, the higher the number of years, the higher the applicable fees will be to obtain the FSSAI license. The registration can be renewed not later than 30 days prior to the expiry date of the license.
Who are exempted from obtaining FSSAI License/ Registration?
Hawkers and people related to the cottage industry are exempted to obtain FSSAI license and registration. Other exempted people or entity include itinerant vendors, petty retailers, and temporary stallholders.
What are the documents required to Obtain FSSAI Registration?
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The FSSAI documents required for the FSSAI registration are:
- Form A – Duly filed and signed
- Photo identity of the food business operator
- Possession of premises proof, such as a rental agreement
- Partnership Deep/ Articles of Association/ Certificate of Incorporation, etc.
- List of the food items to be dealt with
- Food safety management plan
What are the Documents required to Obtain Central FSSAI License?
The FSSAI license documents for central FSSAI license are:
- FORM B – Duly filled and signed
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List of the partners, directors, or proprietors with address proof, contact details, & photo ID
- Partnership deed or the affidavit of proprietorship
- List of the food items to be dealt with
- List of the equipment and machinery used with their number and installation capacity
- Source of raw materials
- Ministry of Commerce Certificate for 100% EOU
- Form IX
- Certificate from Ministry of Tourism
- Proof of possession of premises
- Authority letter from the manufacturer nominated as a responsible person name and his address
- NOC/PA document issued by FSSAI
- NOC and copy of License from the manufacturer
- Supporting document for the proof of annual turnover
- Declaration form
What are the Documents required to Obtain State FSSAI License?
The FSSAI license documents for state FSSAI license are:
- FORM B – Duly filled and signed
- Plan of the processing unit
- List of the partners, directors, or proprietors with address proof, contact details, and photo ID
- List of the equipment and machinery used with their number and installation capacity
- List of the food items to be dealt with
- Authority letter from the manufacturer nominated as a responsible person name and his address
- NOC and copy of License from the manufacturer
- Premises possession proof
- Partnership deed or affidavit of proprietorship
- Food safety management plan or the certificate
- Copy of certificate obtained under Coop Act 1861/Multi state Coop Act 2002
What is the Procedure for Obtaining FSSAI Registration?
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The procedure to obtain FSSAI registration or license is:
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The first step for FSSAI registration is submitting FORM A or B to the food and safety department.
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The application can be rejected or accepted by the department within 7 days. The fact will be intimated to the applicant in writing.
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In case the FSSAI application is accepted, the Food and Safety Department will grant a registration certificate along with the registration number and the photo of the applicant.
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The food business operator must display the registration certificate in the office premises or print the FSSAI registration license number on the food product.
What are the consequences of not obtaining the FSSAI License/ Registration?
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All the persons registered under the FSSAI have to adhere to the FSSAI rules and regulations. The Food Safety Officer conducts the inspection of the facility provided by the food business operator and identifies the level of compliance, if any, using his checklist. He marks the FBO based on the compliance level:
- Compliance (C)
- Non-compliance (NC)
- Partial Compliance (PC)
- Non-applicable/ not observed (NA)
In case the food safety officer issues an improvement notice to the FBO and he fails to comply with it, the officer may cancel his registration. The decision of the officer thereon can be challenged through appealing in the Food Safety Appellate Tribunal/ High Court.