What is a Food License?


Any entrepreneur who wants to start a business in the food sector, be it food processing or food manufacturing, packaging or distributing, has to register for Food Safety and Standard Authority of India FSSAI. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a legal authority that offers a food license to all food business operators (FBO) in India. All the FBOs must follow all the rules and regulations of FSSAI for food quality control.

An FBO requires an FSSAI License or Registration all depends upon the parts like the size of production, managing nature of food business activities and range of operation. In the FSSAI Registration process, the FBO will get 14-digit number that needs to be printed on food packages.

FSSAI Registration ensures the security of food products and it is essentially a food safety certificate circulated by the food authority in India. All the manufacturers, traders, restaurants, grocery shops, importers and exporters, etc are eligible for issuing FSSAI Licence. FSSAI Licensing assures that food products undergo specific quality checks, thereby decreasing the cases of adulteration, substandard products.


Types Of FSSAI License


Businesses engaged in food activities are required to apply for food licence of different types based on turnover, scale of business and the type of activity. The Types of FSSAI Food licence are as follows:

FSSAI Basic Registration-
The FSSAI registration is for food business operators (FBOs) which have small-sized business or start-ups. They have their annual turnover less than Rs.12 Lakh. Basic registration can be upgraded depends on your business sales graph productivity.

FSSAI State license-
The State FSSAI License is for the FBOs which have medium- size business. They have their annual turnover more than Rs. 12 Lakhs or up to Rs.20 crores. The state licence can be further upgraded to central licence all depends on your business sale graph productivity.

FSSAI Central license-
The Central FSSAI License is applicable for FBOs which have large business annual turnover i.e. above Rs.20 crores. It is also required in cases where you need to supply at the government offices or import / export food products.


Benefits of Food License


1. Many thanks to the digital world, since consumers are becoming more conscious of the nature of the food they eat. Holding a valid FSSAI license allows businesses to improve and enhance their credibility.
2. The FSSAI logo is widely recognized and hence it can ensure goodwill among consumers.
3. Streamlines all the processes involved from manufacturing to distribution and sale of the food products.
4. Makes food manufacturing more dependable on science-based principles.
5. The important aspects of hygiene and cleanliness are regulated and followed when FSSAI registration is involved.
6. FSSAI license or registration provides a platform to produce quality food products that are on par with international food standards.
7. FSSAI license positively influences the dependability and production of the company, thus giving it a huge chance to expand and grow.
8. FSSAI license is important for exporting food products to other countries.
9. FSSAI is also responsible for setting guidelines and procedures for quality assurance of the accredited labs as per ISO17025.


Sybersify Solutions Food License Package


The Services which are included in our package are as Follows:
✅ Consultation for Type of license required
✅ Preparation of Documents
✅Application Filing
✅Paying Government Fees


Food License Procedure


Step -1: Arrange all Required Documents: The first step is to arrange all the documents and send the same over the email / WhatsApp to us. Once all the Documents are Received, we will Start the Further Process.
Step - 2: Preparation of Documents: The Next Step is Preparation of Documents to be Submitted at Department.
Step - 3: Filling Of Application For FSSAI Registration: The next Step is Filling Of Application For FSSAI Registration.
Step - 4: After approval of the application for grant of Food Registration the FSSAI issues a certificate of registration and a Photo Photo ID card of the Food Business Operator (FBO). The certificate, as well as Photo ID Card, need to be displayed in a prominent place at all times within business premises.


Documents Required for Obtaining Food License


1. Copy of Aadhaar Card/ Voter identity card of Proprietor/ Partners/ Director
2. Certificate of Incorporation & MOA
3. PAN Card and Expected Turnover
4. Premises Proof with NOC from Owner
5. Photographs of Promoters/Partners
6. PAN Card of Each Promoter/Partners
7. Identity Proof of Promoter/Partners
8. Identity Proof of Promoter/Partners
Validity period of FSSAI Licence

FSSAI license validity stretches out from 1 to 5 years. According to the FSSAI rules, the food business operator requires to appeal for the renewal of the license in 30 days and it should be made before its expiry. Any FSSAI renewal application filed exceeding the expiry date is required to pay a late fee of Rs. 100 per day for each day of delay. So, it’s essential to all food business operators to track and assure that the FSSAI license is valid at every time.


FAQ on Food License


Q1. Do a hawker need FSSAI registration?
A hawker is also known as a mobile food vendor/Itinerant. They also need to register themselves with the FSSAI. They do not have fixed premises from which they will operate. Thus, there is no need for submitting documents for premises at the time of registration. It is always advisable for them to seek registration on their own to save cost. However, the petty retailers of snacks or tea shops do not fall into the category of mobile food vendor / Itinerant as they operate from fixed premises and as such is required to seek FSSAI Registration if turnover is less than 12 lac and in case turnover exceeds 12 lacs then state level license is needed.

Q2 What are the different categories of licence?
The Licence is divided into two categories:
Central Licence
State Licence
Whether an FBO needs to apply for Central Or State licence will depend on the nature of the business, its turnover and area of operation. For instance, the guiding principles are as under:
State License is required when the Turnover of the FBO is more than Rs. 12 Lac but less than 20 Crore in case it is a retail business or Rs. 30 Cr if the FBO operates as Whole Sellers In cases where the turnover exceeds the maximum limit prescribed for state license the FBO shall need to obtain a Central License.

If FBO is operating in more than one state a state license then they are also required to obtain a central licence at the registered office/head office. Importers are required to have a single central Licence at the address where the Import Export Code (IEC) is registered.

Q3 What is the validity period of FSSAI Registration?
The licence is valid for the period for which it is issued i.e 1 to 5 Years unless it is cancelled by the FSSAI. An application for renewal must be made before the expiry of the licence. It can be renewed for a maximum period of five years.

Q4 Can an FBO carry on different activity at the same premises under one FSSAI Registration?
If the business activity is similar in nature, then only one FSSAI Registration would be sufficient, for example, if the FBO is engaged in the business of fruit & vegetable processing unit & a godown/ store along with it.
In case the FBO is engaged in the business which is not similar then separate FSSAI registration would be required, for example, if an FBO is carrying on activities like processing of meat as well as processing of milk & fruits & vegetables.

Q5 What will happen if you fail to get renewal of Fssai License?
In case of forgetting to make a renewal of food license have to pay a penalty of Rs. 100 per day within the specified validity time after that your license can be cancelled and need to apply for a fresh license.