FSSAI License and Registration, mandated for any food business operating in India, encompasses activities related to food production, storage, transportation, and distribution. Depending on the nature and scale of the business, FSSAI registration or license becomes a necessity. In the FSSAI Registration process, Food Business Operators (FBOs) are issued a 14-digit identification number that must be printed on food product packaging. Acquiring an FSSAI license offers several advantages, including legal compliance, reputation enhancement, food safety assurance, consumer awareness, and support for business expansion. Maske Brothers can facilitate the speedy acquisition of an FSSAI license across the country. We also assist in obtaining FSSAI registration and guide you in selecting the appropriate food category and license type.

Governing Law
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the statutory authority responsible for granting food licenses to all food business operators (FBOs) in India. As per Section 31(1) of the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006, every FBO in the country must obtain a license from the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India. The procedures and requirements for FSSAI licensing and registration are regulated by the Food Safety & Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Business) Regulations, 2011.

Food Business Operators Requiring FSSAI Registration
FBOs engaged in the following food-related activities must obtain an FSSAI License/Registration:

1. Petty retailers, Retail Shops, Snack shops, Confectionery or Bakery shops, etc.
2. Temporary stalls, fixed stalls, or food premises involved in preparing, storing, distributing, and selling food products.
3. Hawkers selling packaged or freshly prepared food while traveling from one location to another.
4. Dairy Units, including Milk Chilling Units, Petty Milkmen, and Milk Vendors.
5. Slaughtering houses.
6. Fish Processing, Meat Processing, and units.
7. All Food Manufacturing units, including repacking food.
8. Vegetable Oil Processing Units.
9. Proprietary food and Novel food.
10. Cold/refrigerated storage facilities.
11. Transporters of food products with specialized vehicles such as insulated refrigerated vans/wagons, milk tankers, food wagons, and food trucks.
12. Wholesalers, suppliers, distributors, and marketers of food products.
13. Hotels, Restaurants, and Bars.
14. Canteens and Cafeterias, including mid-day meal canteens.
15. Food Vending Agencies and Caterers.
16. Dhabas, PG providers with food, Banquet halls with food catering, Home-Based Canteens, and Food stalls at fairs or religious institutions.
17. Importers and Exporters of food items and food ingredients.
18. E-commerce food suppliers, including cloud kitchens.

Eligibility Criteria for Food Business Registration/License
FSSAI registration is granted based on business type, turnover, and production capacity. FBOs are eligible for essential, central, or state licenses depending on their turnover and installed capacity.

FSSAI Registration
FSSAI Registration is mandatory for small-scale food manufacturers or FBOs with an annual turnover of less than Rs. 12 lakhs, unless they fall under compulsory licensing. FBOs meeting the following conditions must obtain an FSSAI registration certificate:

– Annual turnover not exceeding Rs. 12 lakhs.
– Production capacity of food products (except milk, milk products, meat, and meat products) up to 100 liters or kilograms per day.
– Procurement, handling, and collection of milk up to 500 liters per day or slaughtering capacity of two large animals, ten small animals, or 50 poultry birds per day or less.
– Distributes food at religious or social gatherings, except as a caterer.

FSSAI registration numbers are issued by the State Licensing Authority and consist of 14 digits, with the first digit starting with ‘2’.

FSSAI License
FSSAI License is mandatory for businesses with an annual turnover exceeding Rs. 12 lakhs or for FBOs engaged in food processing and manufacturing. FSSAI Licenses are categorized into two types: Central and State Licenses. The first digit of an FSSAI license number starts with ‘1’, and FBOs must obtain either a state or central license based on their business size.

– State License: Medium-sized processors, manufacturers, traders, marketers, or transporters require a state license if their annual turnover exceeds Rs. 12 lakhs but does not exceed Rs. 20 crore.
– Central License: Large-sized businesses involved in processing, transportation, manufacturing, and international trade of food products, with an annual turnover exceeding Rs. 20 crore, must obtain a central license from the Central Government.

Difference between FSSAI Registration and FSSAI License
Here are the key distinctions between FSSAI Registration and FSSAI License:

– Turnover Limit: FSSAI Registration is for businesses with an annual turnover not exceeding Rs. 12 lakhs, while FSSAI License is for companies with an annual turnover of more than Rs. 12 lakhs.

– Types: FSSAI Registration includes Basic Registration, while FSSAI License includes FSSAI Central License and FSSAI State License.

– Size of Business: FSSAI Registration is for petty food business operators, while FSSAI License is for medium and large-sized food business operators.

– Duration: The duration of FSSAI Registration varies based on its applicability, while FSSAI License is issued for a minimum of one year and a maximum of five years.

– Application: FSSAI Registration is applied using Form A, while FSSAI License is applied using Form B.

– Fees for Registration/License: FSSAI Registration has a fixed fee of Rs. 100 per year, while the fee for FSSAI License varies from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 7,500 per year, depending on the criteria and type of license.

– Publication: FBOs with FSSAI Registration display the registration at their premises, and the registered number is displayed on product packaging. FBOs with FSSAI License, including exporters, importers, traders, and producers, must mandatorily publish the license number on product packaging.

Benefits of Procuring FSSAI Food License
Obtaining an FSSAI license offers several advantages:

– Legal compliance.
– Assurance of food safety.
– Enhancement of reputation.
– Creation of consumer awareness.
– Facilitation of the import and export of food products.
– Improved access to funding from investors.
– FSSAI logos on food products reassure customers of product quality.
– Display of the registration number on food premises indicates compliance with hygiene and quality standards.

Validity of FSSAI License/Registration
FSSAI License/Registration is issued for a period of 1 to 5 years, chosen by the Food Business Operator. FBOs must apply for renewal at least 30 days before the current license’s expiry.

Fee Structure
The following fees are required to obtain FSSAI License/Registration:

1. FSSAI License: Rs. 2,000 to 7,500 per year.
2. Registration Certificate: Rs. 100 per year.
3. Modification of License and Certificate: Rs.