The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a regulatory body that was established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The Act consolidates various food-related laws and orders that were previously managed by different ministries and departments. The main objective of the FSSAI is to establish science-based standards for food products and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import to ensure the availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.

The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 has repealed various central acts and orders related to food, such as the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, Fruit Products Order, 1955, Meat Food Products Order, 1973, and many others. The Act aims to establish a single reference point for all food safety and standard-related matters, moving from multi-level and multi-departmental control to a single line of command. To this end, the Act establishes an independent statutory authority – the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India – with its headquarters in Delhi. The FSSAI and State Food Safety Authorities are responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Act.

The FSSAI has been mandated by the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 to perform various functions, including framing regulations to lay down standards and guidelines for articles of food, specifying appropriate systems of enforcing the standards, laying down mechanisms and guidelines for accreditation of certification bodies, providing scientific advice and technical support to the central and state governments, collecting and collating data on food consumption and contaminants, creating an information network across the country, providing training programs for food business operators, contributing to the development of international technical standards for food, and promoting general awareness about food safety and standards.

Every food business operator in the country is required to be licensed under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, as per Section 31(1) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The licensing and registration procedure and requirements are regulated by the Food Safety & Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Business) Regulations, 2011. The Food Licensing and Registration System (FLRS) is an online system launched by the FSSAI to facilitate food business operators in India to apply for licenses and registration certificates and track their applications during processing.

FAQs on FSSAI Licensing and Registration

1. What are the different categories of license?

As per in ‘FSS (Licensing & Registration) Regulations, 2011, Licenses and Registrations are granted to FBOs in a 3-tier system, viz;

a. Registration

        b. State License

        C. Central License

1. What are the criteria for registration??

The criteria for registration under FSSAI depend on the annual turnover of the food business operator (FBO). FBOs with an annual turnover of up to Rs. 12 lakhs are eligible for registration, while FBOs with an annual turnover exceeding Rs. 12 lakhs are required to obtain a license. The specific criteria for registration are outlined in the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, and include:

1.     The FBO must have a valid and active mobile number and email ID for communication purposes.

2.     The FBO must maintain a hygienic and sanitary environment in the premises where food is handled.

3.     The FBO must maintain appropriate sanitary and storage conditions for food products to prevent contamination and spoilage.

4.     The FBO must comply with the standards and guidelines laid down by FSSAI with respect to food safety and hygiene.

5.     The FBO must have a food safety management system in place, which includes good hygiene and manufacturing practices, hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) system, and other relevant measures.

6.     The FBO must provide accurate and truthful information about the nature of the food business, including the types of food products handled and the scope of operations.

7.     The FBO must comply with any other conditions or requirements specified by FSSAI from time to time.

FBOs that meet these criteria and successfully register with FSSAI are issued a registration certificate, which is valid for a period of 1 to 5 years depending on the fee paid by the FBO.

 Documents required while applying for a Registration

1. Application in Schedule-1

2. Fees @Rs. 100/- per annum

3. Address proof (Government documents like Voter ID card)

4. Photograph of applicant

Registration Card should be exhibited at a prominent place of business premises.

2. What is the Eligibility criteria for State License?

            The eligibility criteria for State License under FSSAI are as follows:

1.     Food business operators who have an annual turnover of more than Rs. 12 lakh but less than Rs. 20 crore.

2.     Food catering services in which the food is supplied on contract basis, including mid-day meal scheme.

3.     Food processing units that have a capacity of up to 2 MT per day.

4.     All food retailers and distributors that have an annual turnover of more than Rs. 12 lakh but less than Rs. 20 crore.

5.     Marketers and traders of food products.

6.     Any other food business operator who does not fall under the category of basic registration and whose operations fall within the ambit of State Government.

It is important to note that the eligibility criteria for State License may vary from state to state, and businesses should consult the relevant state authority to determine the specific requirements for their location.

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2. What is the Eligibility criteria for Central License?

The eligibility criteria for obtaining a Central License under FSSAI are as follows:

1.     Large-scale food businesses: Food manufacturers, re-packers and re-labelers who have a daily production capacity of more than 2 metric tonnes are required to obtain a Central License.

2.     Businesses operating in multiple states: If a food business operator has operations in more than one state, then a Central License is required to be obtained for the registered office or the Head Office of the company.

3.     Importers: All food importers who import food items for commercial purposes are required to obtain a Central License.

4.     100% Export Oriented Units: All 100% Export Oriented Units engaged in food business are required to obtain a Central License.

5.     Operators in Central Government Agencies: All food business operators working under the Central Government agencies like Railways, Airport, and Seaport, etc. are required to obtain a Central License.

6.     Other businesses as notified by FSSAI: FSSAI may notify any other food business from time to time which is required to obtain a Central License.

In addition to the above criteria, food business operators are also required to comply with various other criteria related to manufacturing practices, quality control, storage, and transportation of food products, as specified under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and its regulations.