FSSAI

One‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ of the biggest issues behind India’s rapidly growing food industry has been the presence of adulterated products, unhygienic practices, and the use of unsafe ingredients that have been a major cause of public health risks. To regain the people’s confidence and create a safer food ecosystem, the Government of India established the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

Being the champion of food quality in India, FSSAI does not spare any moment in keeping a very close eye on the food chain that is an extension of the production units, storage places, to retail shelves. Through the implementation of standard scientific measures and strict hygiene rules, FSSAI makes sure that the food reaching the consumers is safe, pure, and worthy of their ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌trust.

While‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ the food industry in India is expanding rapidly, the safety of the food people eat is still being impacted by the issues of adulteration, contamination, and the use of poor-quality ingredients. In order to eliminate these problems and ensure that the food is hygienic and safe for consumers, the Government of India established the FSSAI.

This authority is the overall manager and the watchman of the food sector. It tells and checks how food should be manufactured, processed, stored, transported, and sold. The ultimate aim of this institution is to shield public health by determining scientific standards and ensuring that all Food Business Operators (FBOs) maintain good hygiene ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌practices.

What is FSSAI ?

Food‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ Safety and Standards Authority of India

The‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is an independent body that coordinates its work with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Its establishment is a result of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which consolidated several archaic food-related laws into a single regulatory ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌structure.

Although it was enacted in 2006, FSSAI did not begin functioning in all its potency until August 5, 2011. This was when it was officially notified and implemented. Thereafter, FSSAI became the primary body that gave directions to India’s food safety platform.

To make sure that their work reaches all corners of India, FSSAI has been functioning through its six regional offices situated in Delhi, Guwahati, Mumbai, Kolkata, Cochin, and Chennai. These offices also help FSSAI remain in touch with all food establishments in India and make sure that all food safety laws are being followed in India.

Why is FSSAI Registration or License Mandatory?

The‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ Food Safety and Standards Act mandates that a business involved in any of the following activities: producing, processing, packaging, storing, transporting, or selling food products, must have an FSSAI Registration or License.

The condition is binding on all Food Business Operators (FBO), that is to say, the ones who produce, distribute, and retail the food products, restaurants, caterers, online food delivery platforms, transporters, and importers. ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌

The main reason for making FSSAI registration compulsory is to ensure that:

The food products comply with the hygiene and safety requirements that are necessary
Consumers get food that is pure, safe, and free from any type of contamination
Businesses adopt good manufacturing and handling practices
The distribution of adulterated or unsafe food has been stopped

In the end, FSSAI is instrumental in elevating food standards, bringing the needed transparency in the food chain, and fostering the adoption of good practices by food ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌businesses.

Types of FSSAI Registratin/License

FSSAI Basic Registration License- Food industry operators such as the petty food producers and small-scale manufacturers, storage facilities, transporters, merchants, marketers, and distributors with an annual turnover of less than Rs. 12 Lakhs are granted a basic FSSAI license by the State Government. The validity of this license is from at least one year to a maximum of five years. One can complete this registration within 7 days.

FSSAI State License- This license is given by the State Government to the SMEs that are engaged in activities of transportation, storage, distribution, and marketing, etc. The company or firm must operate only in one state, and it should have a minimum sales turnover of Rs. 12 lakhs per annum. The period of license validity ranges from a minimum of one year to a maximum of five years. The state licensing application process of the FSSAI takes about 15 days to complete.

FSSAI Central License- The FSSAI Central License is the one that is given by the central government. For a food manufacturer or importer, if there are operations in more than one state, the owner of the business must obtain a Central License for the head office of the business. The license is only for FBOs that generate a yearly revenue of Rs. 20 crores or more. It has a minimum validity duration of one year and a maximum validity period of five years. The processing time is only 25 ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌days.

FSSAI Functions

Establishing standards and guidelines- By the regulations of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, all the food manufacturers have to strictly abide by the cleanliness and food safety rules of the Authority.

Granting license- It is absolutely mandatory for the business owner to acquire a certificate and a license from the FSSAI if he wishes to carry out any food-related business. The food must be in compliance with specific requirements and quality standards.

Audits- Periodic audits are carried out for the enterprises that produce food in order to check whether they comply with safety and hygiene standards.

Raising food safety awareness- FSSAI takes the responsibility of educating people and giving them the correct information about food safety and hygiene.

Keeping records and data- Every registered organisation has the duty to keep proper records. In case of violations, it may lead to the cancellation of the license or imposition of fines.

Keeping the government informed- Any imminent danger to food safety has to be communicated to the responsible government bodies without delay. FSSAI is the instrument that helps in changing food safety regulations in the future.

What are The Documents Required for FSSAI Registration?

The documents required may differ depending on the kind of FSSAI license, but generally, the following are required:

Copy of address proof (GST certificate / Electricity bill)
Manufacturing process along with a flow chart
Manufacturing layout
Brand certification
Testing facility details
Equipment list
Proof of possession of premises
NOC from the municipality and the local body
NOC / PA issued by FSSAI
Contact details of directors
FSSAI declaration ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌form

Procedure for FSSAI Registration

Documentation – The initiation of the FSSAI registration procedure involves collecting all the necessary documents required for the application filing.
Online Submission of Application – Once the documents are ready, register on the FSSAI online portal and submit the application to the Food Safety Department via the portal.
Submission of Hard Copy – In addition to the online application, a physical (hard-copy) set of the application form and supporting documents should be sent to the Food Safety Department.
Scrutiny of Application – FSSAI officials will check the application submitted by the applicant. The department may accept or reject the application within 7 days from the date of submission.
FSSAI Inspection (Optional) – Based on the review of the documents, FSSAI officers may request to visit and inspect the applicant’s premises.
Grant of FSSAI Certificate – A department-issued certificate of FSSAI registration with the registration number and photograph of the applicant will be the result if the application is ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌approved.

Who‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ needs FSSAI license in India?

Simply put, any person or business that deals in the above activities of the food industry, like processing, trading, repacking, wholesaling, marketing, running a canteen, etc., needs to have a valid FSSAI license (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India).

According to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, the entities or establishments working in the following areas should obtain an FSSAI registration or ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌license:

Manufacturers of food of any mega, medium, or small scale, of all kinds
Suppliers of raw food
Importers and exporters of food products
Those who are storing, warehousing, and packaging food
Food traders
Food product retailers
Online food business operators
Caterers, hotels, and restaurants
Transporters and distributors of food items
Wholesale food businesses
Additional Food Businesses

How Long Does It Take to Obtain an FSSAI License

The duration to get an FSSAI license varies from one category to another and is just approximate:

Basic License – 7 days
State License – 15 to 30 days
Central License – 30 to 60 days

FSSAI License Renewal

The FSSAI license certification will be valid from one to five years, based on the applicant's choice at the time of the application. The renewal application should be submitted to the respective authority at least 30 days before the expiration date of the license so as not to be subject to a fine, late fees, or cancellation of the ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌license.