FSSAI Full Form, FSSAI License, Eligibility Rules

FSSAI Full Form

FSSAI is an acronym for the food regulatory authority of India and it basically stands for the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. The Food authority regulates and checks for safe food manufacture, storage and handling practices of Food Business Operators(FBOs). FSSAI checks for compliance and that FBOs are following the regulations and standards as mentioned in the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.  Since 2006, all acts and regulations related to food and related products have been under the jurisdiction of FSSAI.  FSSAI issues compliant FBOs a Compliance (C) badge and in accordance with their annual turnover, issue them an appropriate Food License. Now that you have learned many things about FSSAI, full form, functions as well as their jurisdiction, let’s look at this FSSAI license in detail.

What is an FSSAI License?

FSSAI, also known as the Food Authority of India, issues a 14-digit License number to food business operators who are in compliance of the rules and regulations under the FSS act. This FSSAI License number has to be imprinted on food products along with the FSSAI Logo. Also Read: How to Check FSSAI License Number Online. The FSSAI license can be obtained on the food licensing website by creating an FSSAI Login ID and passwords. Following is an example of food products with the license number and logo:

FSSAI License Number

In addition to this, with the advent of modern technology, and the rise of food-tech startups, nowadays food is delivered directly from the restaurants to the customer’s via a mobile app. Food Aggregator apps have been instructed by the regulatory authority not to display the appropriate licenses of the restaurants. Without the FSSAI License, Swiggy and other food aggregator apps will de-list the corresponding restaurants from their websites.

Related: FSSAI Product Approval

FSSAI License Eligibility

Many times as a Food Business Owner it is difficult to determine what license to go for State or Central. Here, we list down the eligibility criteria so you can look up your type of business and swiftly proceed to acquire your food license.

Basic FSSAI Registration

Basic FSSAI registration is applicable for all food businesses and related activities like storage, sales, distribution, repacking and labeling for which the annual turnover does not cross Rs. 12 lakh or for food businesses that have a maximum turn over of Rs. 12 lakh Annually.

State FSSAI License Eligibility

The following FBOs can apply for a state FSSAI license

• Restaurants and Hotels
• Meat processing Units and Slaughtering Units
• Proprietary Foods
• Food Processing Units inclusive of corresponding retailers and repackers
• Vegetable  Oil  Processing Units as well as Production Units
• Dairy Units inclusive of Milk Chilling units

Central FSSAI License Eligibility

The following Food Business Owners have been deemed eligible to obtain the FSSAI central license by the regulatory authority

• 5 Star Hotels and above
• All Food Businesses inclusive of retailers, distributors, suppliers, and caterers mentioned for state license could apply for a central license if their operations are at a larger scale. (~20 crores or more)
• Restaurants/ Food processing and handling chains with multiple branches across various states have to obtain the Central FSSAI license for the main branch/head office
• 100 % export-oriented  food processing/production units
• Food processing units, re-labelers, and repackers who are processing more than 2 Metric Tonnes per day excluding grains, cereals, and pulse milling units
• Refrigerated storages holding a capacity of 10,000 Metric Tonnes or more
• Wholesalers with their annual turnovers amounting to Rs. 30 Crores or more
• Food Catering services located at airports as well as seaports

Based on Annual Turnover has to either apply for simple FSSAI Online Registration in FORM A with FSSAI or apply for Licensing in FORM B.

Procedure for FSSAI Licence

• Complete a Form

You need to fill our FSSAI application form and provide details about your food business.

• Send your Documents

You need to email us the required documents and we will create your FSSAI Form A and Form B.

• Documents Submission

Your FSSAI License application along with other declarations are filed to the local FBO by our CS/ CA.

• FSSAI license Issued

We will mail you the license which will act as a food license online after regular follows ups with the food safety department.

Documents for FSSAI License

Essentially the FSSAI Registration/ License requires a few documents in order to verify the ownership as well as the validity of the food business operators(FBOs).  For registering an FBO, FSSAI requires Personal Details of the Applicant as well as details of the Food Business.

The personal details of the applicant required are as follows:

• PAN Card
• Copy of Aadhar Card / Voter Identity Card/ Driving License /Passport [Any 1]
• Passport Size Photo

Documents for the Registered office/Premises

• Latest Utilities Bill (Electricity/ Water/ Gas Connection Bill)
• Copy of Rent Agreement (if Rented Property)
• Copy of Properties Papers (If premises are self-owned)

Note :Property can be residential/commercial

Documents for FSSAI Basic Registration [Also required for State And Central]

• Duly-Filled Form A signed by all directors/partners/proprietor/ Executive member of thre society [Form B for State and Central License]
• Food Safety Management System (FSMS) declaration on the  letterhead of the company
•  Proof of Income determining the Annual Turnover of the Food Business Operator (FBO)
• Nomination of the person appointed by the firm/company in the Form IX
• Self Declaration by Director
• Affidavit on Non-Judicial Stamp Paper

Additional Documents for State License

• Blueprint or layout of the proposed location
• Detailed list of Equipment and Machinery installed or to be installed at the location
• NOC and copy of the license from manufacturers
• Authority letter with particulars about the name and address of the person responsible.

Documents for Central License

• Water Report Analysis from a well-established and/or a government health labratory
• Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued  IEC (Import Export Code)
• Pesticide Residue Report of the water for units involved in the manufacturing of mineral or carbonated water
• Designated milk provider/ Source of Milk
• Proof of Annual turnover, if required
• Meat provider/ Meat processing units
• Certificates alotted by the Ministry of Tourism, if applicable
• Vehicles turnover proof, if applicable
• Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Articles of Association

Benefits of Registering FSSAI Licence

•  Consumer awareness 

The consumer nowadays has more knowledge about which food has a good quality for consumption. With increasing demands of healthy food, option consumers are more interested in knowing that food they are having is safe to consume.

 The FSSAI certification will spread awareness among consumers that the food you are having is secure and safe. The FSSAI licensing will add the benefit of loyalty in the customer base.

• Legal Advantage

The FSSAI has made the registration as legal processing just to make sure that the food we are having is fit for consumption. FSSAI is the regulatory body that has set some rules for all food business operators. All of them are legal in the eyes of law. The food business cannot run without proper registration.

One can get legal rights to sell their food with no compromises in the quality of food, price, and features.

• Public acceptance

 When you get FSSAI Licence it automatically adds on the benefits of the public acceptance as this declares that your food is fit for consumption by for the public.Having an FSSAI certificate makes your consumers think to buy your food product as the government itself officially approves it. 

• FSSAI logo

The FSSAI Logo is displayed on the food packages you are buying. Just look at the labels and you will see a logo FSSAi printed along with the FSSAI Licence Number. The logo marks the validity along with the assurance for the consumers. 

FSSAI Logo adds the advantage that the food is safe and secure for people to consume.

• Business Expansion

 When the time comes for your business to expand in other areas or outlets, you can easily do so with the use of your FSSAI license. The food license will help you to build your reputation and also qualification to expand your business in a new direction with ease. Moreover, the license can also make it easier for you to get bank loans and for funding which is required for expansion.

This means you should have earned the trust of your new customer base and they should feel safe buying from you. If you have a valid food license, it’s much easier to open at a new location and grow your business quickly. 

•  Quality check

FSSAI Registration makes sure FBO provides quality food. The inspections involve every person who directly or indirectly provides to the food product and thus brings assurance to consumers.  

It, first of all, it gives you all the laws and department control by a single access point. It will provide your customers with some confidence seeing that your brand or business is FSSAI registered, and it will make it more comfortable for them to trust your business with the spirit of goodwill.

Be only getting one FSSAI registration, it will be enough for you to establish different things in the same local area. 

Getting the legality of getting your FSSAI Registration done when you’re planning and maintaining a restaurant / Food Business can be a bit tedious process.
At FSSAIFoodLicense, one of the top food consultants across India, we are committed to enabling you to acquire your food license quickly and at economical prices.
Call +91- 875-000-8844 to get started!