Food is something which binds people everywhere in the world and its laws are regulated by Food safety and standards authority of India in our country. It’s a statutory body which is established under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. FSSAI is established under Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006 which merges various acts of food related issues in different Ministries and Departments.
FSSAI license should compulsorily be obtained in every sector like manufacturing, processing, storage distribution and sale of food products. Section 31 of Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006 and Regulations 2.1, it is mandated to procure license or get registered. Licensing of food is governed by the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food businesses) Regulations, 2011. FSSAI is applicable to food start-ups and food business entrepreneurs according to Schedule IV, Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2011. Based on size and nature of the business any entity or person who isn’t a petty food business operator requires either State or Central FSSAI license.
Benefits of obtaining FSSAI food license are, it can help the food business with legal benefits, grow goodwill, ensure consumer awareness, and aid in business expansion. FSSAI logo and registration number ensures the sense of good quality standards and hygiene among consumers. One of the landmark judgements with FSSAI initiative was of Nestle India Limited Maggi case wherein it was found that quantity of lead was in excess and thus unfit hence was prescribed ban.
In ‘Ab Initio’ we provide services to ensure that FBOs comply with all the rules and regulations as required and stipulated in the Act.
For a State license a food business operators (FBOs) should have a turnover between Rs 12 lakh to Rs 20 crore and for Central license turnover should exceed Rs 20 crores and needs to be operated in two or more States. The tenure of both the licenses is for maximum 5 years and minimum 1 year. For simply the registration turnover ought to be less than Rs 12 lakh.
FSSAI licensing is optional for some units like Petty Manufacturer, Petty Retailer, Small scale industries, Cottage industries, and such other industries.
Process of Licensing
The process starts once the identification of eligibility of the premises is done on the basis of installed capacity (manufacturers) and/or turnover (for other businesses). Depending on the eligibility premise will fall under either of these categories i.e. Central license, State licence or Registration.
Step-wise procedure
Step 1: Check eligibility
Step 2: Select the category (mentioned above)
Step 3: Read about payment and documents required before filing an application
Step 4: FBOs will have to login to Food Licensing and Registration System (FLRS) to apply for modification, renewal, duplicate license or registration certificate. FBOs can also surrender or transfer, only in the case of death or license or registration holder.
Along with all these process to be followed, there are various documents required to be deposited to either State or Central authority which are stated on FSSAI official site.
Thus, Customers can connect to FSSAI through many channels; one of them is GAMA portal wherein any concern regarding misleading claims or any advertisements is operated.
