FSSAI Registration

Learn more about the FSSAI registration process and its benefits today!

Obtaining an FSSAI license or registration is a vital step for any food business in India. By ensuring food safety, meeting quality standards, and following the necessary procedures, you can gain a competitive edge, expand your customer base, and comply with legal requirements.

Start your FSSAI registration process now and ensure compliance for your food business.

FSSAI License Registration

An Overview

If you’re planning to start a food business in India, getting an FSSAI license or registration is not just a choice – it’s mandatory. The FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) is the regulatory authority responsible for ensuring food safety and quality in the country.

The FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) is a government body that sets standards for selling, packaging, and storing food items in India. It operates under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Government of India, and follows guidelines set by the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.. The FSSAI registration is mandatory for every food business operator to ensure food safety.

Remember, food safety is everyone’s responsibility, and obtaining an FSSAI license contributes to a healthier and safer food ecosystem in India.

Types of FSSAI Registration

FSSAI offers different types of registrations to cater to various scales of food businesses. Let's explore each one:

FSSAI Basic LicenseFor small food business operators, the Basic FSSAI Registration is available. If your annual revenue is up to 12 lakh rupees, you can apply for this registration. Whether you're a small-scale food product maker, marketer, storage unit owner, retailer, or distributor, it's essential to register your firm with the basic registration.
FSSAI State LicenseFood Business Operators (FBOs) not covered by Schedule 1 of the FSS Regulations, 2011, but with an annual turnover of 12 lakh rupees or more (up to 20 crore rupees) should apply for a state license. This applies to grain, cereal, and pulse milling units as well, regardless of turnover.
FSSAI Central LicenseThe Central License is mandatory for FBOs operating in more than one state and falling under Schedule 1 of the FSSAI Regulations, 2011. FBOs with an annual turnover of 20 crores or more must obtain a Central FSSAI license.

Benefits of FSSAI License/Registration

Obtaining an FSSAI license or registration has several benefits for your food business:

Consumer AwarenessConsumers today are more concerned about food quality, standards, and hygiene. Having an FSSAI license assures them of the quality, purity, and absence of contamination and adulteration in your food products. It helps build trust and expands your customer base.
Consumer TrustIn today's information age, consumers are more conscious of food quality, standards, and hygiene. They prefer buying from FSSAI-certified sources as it assures them of the food's quality, purity, and absence of contamination or adulteration. Having an FSSAI license sets you apart from the competition and helps expand your customer base.
Trustworthy ImageThe FSSAI grants licenses only to businesses that meet minimum hygiene standards. Displaying the FSSAI logo on your materials differentiates your products and builds trust with customers. The FSSAI logo serves as a mark of quality, and customers prefer buying products that bear it, which can significantly expand your customer base.
Legal ProtectionContrary to popular belief, obtaining a food license is a straightforward and cost-effective process. By paying a small fee to one of the many FSSAI License Consultants, you can easily obtain a license. Operating without a license can result in severe penalties, making it more costly than obtaining one. Additionally, a food license provides official registration proof, further safeguarding your business
Using FSSAI LogoThe FSSAI grants licenses only to businesses that meet minimum hygiene standards. Displaying the FSSAI logo on your products and materials distinguishes your brand and assures customers of your food quality.
Business Expansion OpportunitiesEvery business aims to expand its reach and tap into new markets or consumer bases. Having a valid food license instills confidence in customers when trying new products or exploring your business in a new location. Moreover, a food license makes it easier to secure loans or investments for business expansion, providing assurance to lenders or investors.
Improved Quality StandardsObtaining an FSSAI license pushes you to maintain and serve high-quality food. It compels you to adhere to food safety standards, ultimately improving the overall performance of your food business. The emphasis on quality benefits both your customers and your reputation in the industry.

Procedure for Obtaining FSSAI Registration Online

To obtain FSSAI registration online, follow these simple steps:

Visit the official FoSCoS (Food Safety Compliance System) website.
Initiate the FSSAI registration process if you're a new applicant, or renewal if you're an existing license holder.
Fill in the required details accurately, including your business information, category, and contact details.
Submit the necessary documents, which we'll discuss shortly.
Pay the applicable fees through the online payment gateway.
Track the progress of your registration through the FSSAI Registration Status portal.
Once approved, you'll receive your FSSAI certificate.

Essential Documents for FSSAI Registration

To complete the FSSAI registration process, you need to provide certain documents.

If you are planning to register your food business with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), there are specific documents you need to gather. The required documents may vary depending on the type of license you are applying for (Basic, State, or Central) and the nature of your food business.

Common Documents for All Types of FSSAI Registrations: Regardless of the type of FSSAI registration, there are several documents common to all businesses. These include:

Form A or Form BFill and sign either Form A (Basic Registration) or Form B (State or Central Registration) based on your business type.
Passport-Sized PhotographsSubmit two recent passport-sized photographs of the business owner, proprietor, partner, or director.
Details of Owner/Proprietor/Partners/DirectorsProvide details such as photo ID, photographs, and address proofs of the individuals associated with the business.
Proof of Business Premises PossessionSubmit documents such as a rental agreement, no-objection certificate (NOC) from the premises owner, or utility bills to establish proof of possession.
Business Constitution CertificateInclude relevant certificates such as the partnership deed, certificate of incorporation, shop and establishment license, or other business registration certificates.
Food Safety Management System Plan (FSMS)Prepare a detailed plan outlining the food safety management system implemented in your business.
List of Food Products Manufactured or ProcessedProvide a comprehensive list of the food products manufactured or processed by your business.
Bank Account InformationShare relevant details of the bank account associated with your food business.
Supporting DocumentsInclude any additional supporting documents required, such as NOC from the Municipality or Panchayat, Health NOC, or manufacturer's license copy.
Additional Documents for Caterers working under Central Government or related agenciesIf your food business involves catering services for the Central Government or related agencies, you need to submit additional documents specific to these contracts. These may include agreements, contracts, or clearances required by the concerned government department.

Documents for State Food License: If you are applying for a State Food License, you will need to provide the following additional documents:

Form BFill and sign Form B specifically for State Food License application.
Layout and Equipment Plan of the Processing UnitSubmit the layout plan and details of equipment placement for your proposed location.
License Copy from Equipment ManufacturersProvide a copy of the license for the equipment used or proposed to be used in your food business.
Equipment and Machinery DetailsInclude a comprehensive list of the equipment and machinery used in the food processing unit.
Authority Letter from ManufacturerIf you manufacture food products on behalf of any other entity, include an authority letter from the manufacturer.
Water Analysis ReportSubmit a water analysis report from an accredited laboratory to confirm the quality and safety of the water used.
Certificate under Coop Act 1861/Multi-State Coop Act 2002Provide the relevant certificate if your food business operates under the Cooperative Act.

Documents for Central Food License: For a Central Food License, in addition to the common documents, you will need to submit the following additional documents:

Form BFill and sign Form B specifically for State Food License application.
Proof of Annual TurnoverSubmit proof of the annual turnover of your food business.
Layout and Equipment Plan of the Processing UnitSubmit the layout plan and details of equipment placement for your proposed location.
License Copy from Equipment ManufacturersProvide a copy of the license for the equipment used or proposed to be used in your food business.
Equipment and Machinery DetailsInclude a comprehensive list of the equipment and machinery used in the food processing unit.
Authority Letter from ManufacturerIf you manufacture food products on behalf of any other entity, include an authority letter from the manufacturer.
Water Analysis ReportSubmit a water analysis report from an accredited laboratory to confirm the quality and safety of the water used.
Source of Procurement for Milk, Meat, etc.:If applicable, submit the source of procurement for milk, meat, or other raw materials used.
Recall Plan (wherever applicable)Include necessary details if your food business requires a recall plan.
NOC from Local AuthorityObtain an NOC if required by the local authority where your food business operates.
Pesticide Residual Report (for Mineral or Carbonated Water)If your business deals with mineral or carbonated water, submit a pesticide residual report as required.
Proof of Turnover for VehiclesIf your food business involves transportation using vehicles, provide proof of turnover related to vehicle operations.
Import-Export Code (IEC)If your food business involves import or export activities, provide the IEC document issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.
Certificate from the Ministry of TourismIf your food business is tourism-related, obtain a certificate from the Ministry of Tourism.
Ministry of Commerce Certificate for 100% EOUIf your food business is registered as a 100% Export Oriented Unit (EOU), provide the relevant certificate from the Ministry of Commerce.
Form IXInclude Form IX, which is a declaration of conformity to the regulations.
NOC/PA from FSSAIFinally, obtain an NOC/PA from FSSAI, confirming compliance with necessary regulations for obtaining a Central Food License.

Stay Updated with the Latest Guidelines

To ensure compliance with FSSAI regulations, it's crucial to stay updated with the latest guidelines. Regularly check the FSSAI website or the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal for news, notifications, and updates.

FSSAI Registration Eligibility

Understanding the Requirements

FSSAI Basic License: If you run a small food business in India with an annual turnover of less than Rs. 12 lakhs, obtaining an FSSAI basic registration is mandatory for you. In addition to meeting this basic criterion, the following businesses must also secure this registration:

Food Capacity	Your food business should have a capacity of less than 100 kg/liter per day, excluding milk and milk products, meat, and meat products.
Milk	If your business deals with milk, the daily capacity should be up to 500 liters.
Milk Solids	For milk solids, the annual capacity should be up to 2.5 Metric Tons (MT).
Vegetable Oil Processing	If you are involved in vegetable oil processing, the turnover should be up to 100 kg or liter per day.
Meat Processing	Meat processing production should be more than 100 kg per day or 30 MT per day.
Slaughtering Capacity	The slaughtering capacity should be less than 2 large animals or 10 small animals or 50 poultry birds per day.
Other Food Units	For food units not mentioned above, the capacity should be up to 100 liters or kilograms per day.
Cold Storage	If you operate a cold storage facility, the turnover should be up to Rs. 12 lakhs per annum.
Wholesalers/Retailers/Distributors/Suppliers	The yearly turnover for these businesses should be up to Rs. 12 lakhs.
Dhaba Owners/Clubs/Canteens/Hotels/Restaurants	If you own any of these establishments, the annual turnover should be up to Rs. 12 lakhs.
Transporters	For transporters, the annual turnover should be up to Rs. 12 lakhs.

FSSAI State License: If your food business doesn’t meet the criteria for basic registration and your annual turnover falls between Rs. 12 lakhs and 20 crores, you need to apply for the FSSAI state license. The requirements for different businesses under the state license are as follows:

Dairy Units and Milk Chilling Units	The daily milk capacity should range from 501 to 50,000 liters, and the annual milk solids capacity should range from 2.5 MT to 2500 MT.
Vegetable Oil Processing Units	The processing capacity should be up to 2 MT per day.
Slaughtering House	The capacity for slaughtering varies based on the type of animals, ranging from large animals (3 to 50), small animals (11 to 150), and poultry birds (51 to 1000).
Meat Processing	The capacity can be up to 500 kg of meat per day or 150 MT per annum.
All Food Manufacturing/Processing Units	This category includes units other than dairy, vegetable oil, meat processing, and slaughtering houses. The production capacity ranges from 101 kg/liter to 1 MT per day for most food products. There are no limits on production capacity for grains, cereals, and pulses milling units.
Storage – Cold/Refrigerated	The storage capacity can be up to 10,000 MT.
Storage – Atmospheric Controlled + Cold	The storage capacity can be up to 1,000 MT.
Storage Without Atmospheric Controlled + Cold	The storage capacity can be up to 50,000 MT.
Transporters	Transporters with specialized vehicles like insulated refrigerated vans/wagons or milk tankers can have up to 100 vehicles and a turnover of up to Rs. 30 Crores per annum.
Wholesaler	The turnover can be up to Rs. 30 Crores per annum.
Distributor/ Supplier/ Retailer/ Marketer	The turnover can be up to Rs. 20 Crores per annum.
Hotel	This includes one-star, two-star, three-star, and four-star hotels, as well as hotels without a star rating by the Ministry of Tourism.
Restaurant and Bars	The turnover can be up to Rs. 20 Crores per annum.
Club/Canteen	The turnover should be more than Rs. 12 Lakhs per annum.
Caterer	The turnover can be up to Rs. 20 Crores per annum.
Food Vending Agencies	Up to 100 vending machines in one State/UT.
Dhaba, Boarding Houses, Banquet Halls, Home-Based Canteens, Food Stalls	The turnover should be more than Rs. 12 Lakhs per annum.
Mid-Day Meal Caterer	The turnover can be up to Rs. 20 Crores per annum.
Mid-Day Meal Canteen	The turnover should be more than Rs. 12 Lakhs per annum.

Central Registration: Food business operators with an annual turnover exceeding 20 crores must apply for the FSSAI central license. Here are the requirements for various businesses under the central license:

Dairy Units and Milk Chilling Units	The milk capacity should be more than 50,000 liters per day, and the milk solids capacity should be more than 2500 MT per annum.
Vegetable Oil Processing Units	The processing capacity should be more than 2 MT per day.
Slaughtering House	The capacity for slaughtering should exceed 50 large animals, 150 small animals, or 1000 poultry birds.
Meat Processing	The capacity should be more than 500 kg of meat per day or 150 MT per annum.
All Food Manufacturing/Processing Units	The production capacity should be more than 2 MT per day, excluding grains, cereals, and pulses milling units.
Proprietary Food, Novel Food	No restrictions on production capacity.
Storage – Cold/Refrigerated	The storage capacity should exceed 10,000 MT.
Storage – Atmospheric Controlled + Cold	The storage capacity should exceed 1,000 MT.
Storage Without Atmospheric Controlled + Cold	The storage capacity should exceed 50,000 MT.
Transporters	Transporters with specialized vehicles like insulated refrigerated vans/wagons or milk tankers can have more than 100 vehicles and a turnover of more than Rs. 30 Crores per annum.
Wholesaler	The turnover should exceed Rs. 30 Crores per annum.
Distributor/ Supplier/ Retailer/ Marketer	The turnover should exceed Rs. 20 Crores per annum.
Hotel	Five-star and above.
Restaurant and Bars	The turnover should exceed Rs. 20 Crores per annum.
Caterer	The turnover should exceed Rs. 20 Crores per annum.
Food Vending Agencies	More than 100 vending machines and/or located in two or more States/UTs.
Importers/Exporters	Importing/exporting any type of food product with no limits on capacity.
Mid-Day Meal Caterer	The turnover should exceed Rs. 20 Crores per annum.
Mid-Day Meal Canteen	The turnover should exceed Rs. 12 Lakhs per annum.
E-Commerce	No limit on capacity or turnover.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Non-compliance with FSSAI regulations can lead to severe penalties, including fines, imprisonment, or even business closure. The penalties vary based on the nature and severity of the violation. Here are some common penalties for non-compliance:

Operating without an FSSAI License/RegistrationIf a food business operates without obtaining the necessary FSSAI license or registration, it may face a penalty of up to Rs. 5 lakhs.
Adulteration or Misbranding of Food ProductsSelling adulterated or misbranded food products can attract penalties of up to Rs. 10 lakhs and imprisonment of up to 7 years.
Unsafe or Substandard FoodIf the food products are found to be unsafe or of substandard quality, the penalty can be up to Rs. 5 lakhs.
Failure to Comply with FSSAI RegulationsNon-compliance with specific FSSAI regulations, such as improper labeling, lack of hygiene standards, or failure to maintain records, can result in penalties of up to Rs. 2 lakhs.

It’s crucial for food business operators to understand and adhere to the FSSAI regulations to avoid penalties and ensure the safety and quality of their food products.

Difference Between FSSAI Registration and FSSAI License

It's important to understand the distinction between FSSAI registration and FSSAI license:

FSSAI RegistrationThis is required for small food businesses and has fewer compliance requirements.
FSSAI LicenseMedium and large food businesses must obtain an FSSAI license, which involves stricter compliance and documentation.

The type of registration or license you need depends on the scale of your food business and its operations.