It is mandatory for every food business operator involved in the manufacturing, processing, storage distribution and sale of food products to apply for and have an FSSAI Registration or License if they are planning on conducting busin ess in the country.
Every company needs a Food licence to carry out business, however, to get one, they have to apply for an FSSAI registration, and depending on the details of their business, they can apply for a food licence. Applicants have to gather details when registering, by predicting future trajectories, along with annual turnovers.
An FSSAI registration grants the Food Business Operator, a 14-digit registration or a license number, put on all the food packages. Additionally, it has to be used for various other purposes, depending on the nature of the business.
This number provides information about the assembling state, producer’s permit, and other details, allowing consumers to know about the food product they are purchasing. The licensing and registration procedure and requirements are regulated by Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Business) Regulations, 2011, which might vary slightly from state to state in India.
How do businesses get through the FSSAI registration?
Businesses looking for an FSSAI registration begin by submitting the Form A (application) to the Food and Safety Department.
The first step is hoping that the application is accepted or rejected in 7 days from receiving it. Depending on whether it was accepted or rejected, the office should write to inform them about the details.
If everything goes right, the applicant will have to provide some additional documentation allowing the FSSAI office to grant the FBO a registration certificate with a number.
It is also mandatory that the FBO prominently display the certificate of registration at the place of business during the business hours.
All Food Business Operators have to register for a Food Licence through the FSSAI. There are three main categories for companies or businesses to pick, and their details are
- Basic Registration – If the annual turnover of the business is less than 12 lakhs, the FBO should register using the registration Form A.
- State Licence – If the annual turnover of the business is between 12 to 20 crores, the food business operator shall apply for State license through Form B
- Central Licence – If the annual turnover of the business is above 20 crores, the FBO can apply for a Central License, through Form B.
FBO who are large manufacturers, importers, exporters dealing in the large-scale food business, or have multiple branches across the country, need to get their FSSAI registration from the Central Government.
Food Business Operators with small to medium-sized manufacturing units, transporters, marketers, traders, etc., need to get registered with the state government. To apply for a State License, the FBO must have a turnover between Rs 12 lakh to Rs 20 crore.
Other factors for this registration include manufacturing units having a capacity of 2MT per day, dairy units handling business up to 50000 litres per day. 3-star hotels and above, repackers, relabelling units, clubs, canteens all catering business irrespective of their turnover need to apply for the license. The tenure of the license is a maximum of 5 years and a minimum of 1 year.
To apply for a Central License, the FBO must have a turnover exceeding Rs 20 crores and needs to be operating in two or more states. All importers and exporters need to apply for this license. The maximum tenure is five years, with the minimum being one.
