FSSAI License: The Easiest Process

Basic FSSAI registration is a license that is clearly meant for petty food business operators, ones who deal in small-scale food business. The eligibility criteria include:-

• A food business operator whose annual turnover does not exceed Rs. 12 lakh.
• Cottage and small-scale industries like: a slaughtering house that slaughters 2 large animals or 10 small animals or 50 poultry birds per day;  food production capacity of up to 100 kg/liter per day; and procurement, handling and collection of milk up to 500 liters per day.
• Individuals who distribute food during religious and social gatherings
• A temporary stall holder selling food
• An individual selling his own manufactured food article
• Petty food retailer

The FSSAI is a 14-digit registration or license number that is mandatory by law to be printed on the packaging of the food. Any food operator found to be dealing in kind of food-related activity whether it is manufacturing, selling, supplying, trading, relabeling, repackaging, transporting, marketing, retailing etc. without the FSSAI registration or license or has committed an act of negligence is liable to be punished by law and will be penalized for the same where the maximum penalty is imprisonment for a certain duration of time, depending upon the type of negligence.

The main objective of obtaining FSSAI license or registration pertains to –

1. It is a guarantee of the quality of food
2. It encourages trade without compromising the safety and hygiene standards of the public.
3. Consumers have much more confidence in products marked with the FSSAI license or registration number.

The Registration Process:-

1. For applying for FSSAI registration, the food operator needs to fill up Registration Form A. The form needs to be submitted to the local or state Food Safety Administration office. Applicants can apply online too for the registration at the Food Licensing and Registration System.
2. The Department either accepts or rejects the form within 7 days from submitting the application and the same is informed to the applicant in writing via email and sending official letter.
3. On acceptance of the application form, the department will issue the registration certificate that will bear the registration number and the photo of the promoter of the food business.
4. It is mandatory for the FBO to display the certificate of registration at a prominent place within the premises of the business during working hours.

Documents Required for Obtaining the FSSAI Registration

1. Completed and duly signed Form A
2. Photo identity proof of the Food Business Operator – ration card, voter ID, and PAN card, Driving License, Passport, Aadhaar Card, Senior Citizen Car or Department issued ID.
3. Ownership proof of the premises like utility bills. If leased or rented, the rental agreement needs to be submitted.
4. Partnership Dee for a LLP or the Certificate of Incorporation for a PLC, the Articles of Association, Memorandum of Association.
5. A complete and detailed list of food products that the FBO will deal in
6. NOC from Municipality/Panchayat.