The Food Standards and Safety Authority of India is the primary authority responsible for regulating and supervising food safety around the country. All companies, food-related initiatives, or Food Business Operators (FBOs) must obtain their FSSAI license. A common predicament that most of them face is the type of licence to apply for and the process of applying for it.
According to the FSSA 2006, Food business operators (FBO) are any undertaking, private or public, whether for profit or not, carrying out any activities related to manufacturing, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution of food, imports and including food services, sale of food, or food ingredients. They have multiple roles and responsibilities toward achieving food safety in their business.
FSSAI puts down standards based on science for articles of food and regulates the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import of them ensuring the availability of safe and nutritious food to all the people of India. They also spread information across the country so the public, consumers, producers, among others receive quick, reliable, and accurate information about food safety and hygiene.
There are three types of FSSAI food licenses and they can all be applied for through an online portal to save time and effort. Although all three licenses are applied for through the same channels, they differ based on the scale of operation of the FBO, the type of business being conducted, the annual turnover and the number of plants or ventures put out and their location.
- Central License
- State License
- Basic Registration
1. FSSAI Central License:
Food business operators like importers, 100% Export Oriented Units, large manufacturers, operators in the Central Government agencies, airports, seaports need to obtain a Central Food License issued by the Central Government. Furthermore, FBOs need a Central License for their head offices, and if they have operations in more than one state. This classification is for units with an annual turnover greater than 20 crores.
2. FSSAI Registration State License
Small to med-sized FBOs like manufacturers, storage units, transporters, retailers, marketers, distributors need a State License, and as the name suggests, through the State Government. These establishments should only be operating in one state like to get a State FSSAI License. Additionally, they can only have a turnover between is thus mostly for the units having an annual turnover of more than 12 lakh up to 20 crores.
3. FSSAI Basic Registration Licence
Food business operators like small food manufacturers and also small manufacturers, storage units, transporters, retailers, marketers, distributors are required to obtain this FSSAI Registration. The FSSAI Registration is issued by the State Government depending upon their eligibility including a turnover of up to 12 lakh.
All three licences are valid for a minimum of one year and a maximum of five. Additionally, they have to make sure they match the requirements otherwise the licence they receive will not be invalid and the registration, void.
Since the Central licence has to be applied for through the head office, to make the process easier, the FSSAI allows registration through their website. This saves companies and establishments the trouble of going to the head office in Delhi and they can do it through their respective state.
For FSSAI Registration click here
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