FSSAI Registration

FSSAI Registration stands for Food safety and standards authority of India which is created for making science-based principles for articles of food. It regulates the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure the availability of safe and healthy food for human consumption.

There is registration under FSSAI for every type of food business operator in India. It is established as per the Food safety and standards Act of 2006. Getting an FSSAI license is a way of assuring the customers that they are getting a good quality product.

Requirement of FSSAI Registration by Food Business Operators

Every food business operator (FBO) involved in the manufacturing, processing, storage, distribution and sale of food products should compulsorily obtain registration under FSSAI or a license. However, registration under FSSAI is different from the FSSAI license because it depends on the size and nature of the business.

The 14-digit registration or license is printed on all the food packages. The registration number gives details about the assembling state and producer’s permit. The procedure of registration is aimed to create more accountability for the FBO to maintain the quality of the food products.

The FBO listed businesses that are mandatorily required to obtain an FSSAI registration/ license:

• Retailers and retail shops like snacks shops, confectionery, grocery shops and bakery shops, etc.
• Temporary stalls or fixed stalls involved in the preparation, distribution, storage and sale of food products such as pani puri stalls, chat stalls, fruits or vegetable vendors, tea stalls, juice shops, etc.
• Hawkers selling packaged or freshly made food by traveling from one place to another
• Dairy units like milk chilling units, petty milkmen and milk vendors.
• Vegetable oil processing units
• Slaughtering houses such as meat shops, chicken shops, etc.
• Meat processing and fish processing units
• All food manufacturing or processing units including repacking of food.
• Proprietary food and novel food require FSSAI registration
• Cold/ refrigerated storage facility
• Transporters of food products have a number of specialized vehicles like insulated refrigerator vans/wagons, milk tankers, food trucks, etc.
• The Wholesalers, suppliers, distributors and marketers of the food.
• Hotels, restaurants and bars
• Canteens and cafeteria including mid-day meal
• Food vending agencies and caterers
• Dhaba, PG provides food, banquet halls with food catering arrangements, home-based canteens and food stalls in fairs or religious institutions.
• Importers and exporters of food items
• E-commerce food suppliers including cloud kitchens.

Types of Registration of FSSAI

The registration under FSSAI is based on the types of business, their turnover and production capacity. It depends upon the installed capacity and turnover, FBOs are eligible for licenses such as basic licenses, central licenses and state licenses.

1.FSSAI Basic Registration

The FBOs with turnover of less than Rs. 12 lakh p.a. must obtain FSSAI basic registration. The Form A registration form filled by the applicant for getting registration.

2.FSSAI State License

FBOs having a turnover of more than Rs. 12 lakh p.a. and less than Rs. 20 crore p.a. must obtain an FSSAI state license. The Form B of FSSAI registration form is filled by the applicant for obtaining the FSSAI state license.

3.FSSAI Central License

For FBOs with a turnover exceeding Rs. 20 crore p.a. must obtain FSSAI central license. The registration form Form B of FSSAI where the applicant fills in to get the FSSAI central license.

Eligibility of Registration Under FSSAI

The registration under FSSAI is a basic license that is required for all the FBOs involved in the small-scale food business. This category covers the following businesses:

• Any FBO with an annual turnover of not more than Rs. 12 lakhs
• FSSAI registration is required by petty retailers dealing in food products
• Any person who manufactures or sells any food article by himself
• Any individual who distributes food in any religious or social event except a caterer.
• Small-scale or cottage industries dealing in the food business are as follows:

i. Where the business of food production capacity other than milk and meat for capacity of up to 100 kg/ltr per day ii. Where the business of procurement, handling and collection of milk up to 500 ltr per day iii. Slaughtering capacity of up to 2 large animals or 10 small animals or 50 poultry birds per day or less

Procedure for Obtaining FSSAI Registration Online

The steps to be followed for the process of registration are given:

Step 1 : The FBOs can obtain registration under FSSAI online by filling and submitting the registration form of FSSAI i.e., Form A (application for registration) or Form B (application for state and central license) on the FoSCoS portal. The FBOs can register offline by Form A or Form B to the Food and safety department.

Step 2 : The registration form for FSSAI should be accompanied by the required documents. The documents should be uploaded online on the foscos FSSAI gov in the portal at the time of filing the application or submitting offline with the application to the Food and safety department.

Step 3 : The FSSAI registration form can be accepted or it may be rejected by the department within 7 days from the date of receipt of an application through physical or online filing through the FoSCoS portal. If the application is rejected then it has to be intimated to the applicant in writing.

Step 4 : In the next step, the department of Food and safety will scrutinize the documents.

Step 5 : The department may conduct an inspection of the food premises, before granting the registration certificate under FSSAI when necessary

Step 6 : When the department is satisfied that the FBO meets all the required criteria, then it will grant an FSSAI registration certificate with the registration number and the photo of the applicant. The applicant can also download the FSSAI certificate by foscos.FSSAI.gov.in login into the portal.

Step 7 : The officer should display the certificate of registration at the business place during working hours.

The online registration process for FSSAI is easier which is given in the following steps:

1. Go to the FSSAI website
2. When the page opens, click on ‘Sign up on the top right of the screen
3. A sign-up form will appear. Fill in your contact details.
4. The message will be received as ‘Account successfully created’. The FSSAI registration fee is fixed at Rs. 100 per year.
   A sign-up confirmation message on mobile or SMS or via e-mail ID.
5. The online account with FSSAI is created. This account is valid for 30 days so apply within 30 days
6. FSSAI Login into the account with the username and password
7. Fill in the details in the application Form A or Form B. The essential documents must be submitted.
8. The application can be accepted or rejected by the department within 7 days.
9. When the application is accepted, the food department will grant a registration certificate with the FSSAI registration number and the photo of the applicant. It takes around 10-30 days for registration under FSSAI.

Documents Required for Obtaining FSSAI License

The documents required to apply for FSSAI basic registration are as follows:

• Photo identity proof of the food business operators
• Business registration certificate like partnership deed, certificate of incorporation (COI) , shop and establishment license or other business registrations.
• Proof of possession of business premises i.e., rental agreement, NOC from the owner of the rented premises, electricity bills, etc.
• Food safety management system plan
• List of products manufactured/processed
• Bank account information
• Supporting documents like NOC by the municipality, Health NOC, copy of the license from the manufacturer, etc.

The specific documents required for FSSAI registration are as follows:

• Form B duly completed and signed
• Plan of the processing unit indicating the dimensions and allocation of operation area
• List of directors/ partners/ proprietor with address, contact details and photo ID.
• Name and list of equipment and machinery used with the number and installed capacity
• A letter of Authority from the manufacturer nominated a responsible person's name and address
• Report of Analysis used in the process for confirming the portability
• Copy of certificate registered with Coop Act 1861

The documents that are required to apply for FSSAI central license are as follows:

• Form B duly completed and signed
• Plan of the processing department indicating the dimensions and allocating the area as regard to its operations.
• For FSSAI registration, a List of directors, partners, and proprietors with addresses, contact details and photo ID.
• Name and list of equipment and machinery used with the number and installed capacity
• A letter of Authority from the manufacturer nominated a responsible person's name and address
• Report of Analysis used in the process for confirming the portability
• Source of raw material for milk, etc
• Recall plan wherever applicable
• Ministry of commerce certificate for 100% EOU
• NOC/PA document issued by FSSAI
• IE mode document issued by DGFT
• Form IX
• Certificate from Ministry of tourism
• Documents for proof of turnover as well as its transportation
• Declaration form

Process for FSSAI Registration Check

The steps to check the validity and details of the FSSAI license number are:

• Visit the FoSCos website
• Click on the ‘FBO search’ tab on the homepage
• Enter the license number, captcha and click on the ‘Submit’
• The FSSAI license details will appear on the screen.

Renewal of Registration of FSSAI

The license of FSSAI is important to start the food business and it is imperative to renew the license as well. The license/ registration is issued for a validity of 1 year or 5 years and the business should apply for renewal at least 30 days prior to the expiry of the current license/ registration. The three types of FSSAI registration renewal are FSSAI basic registration renewal, state license renewal, and central license renewal.

The online process for renewal is as follows:

• Visit the FoSCos portal and log in with the FSSAI license number and its password
• Click on the renewal option and select the ‘Apply for renewal of license/registration’ option.
• A list of issued FSSAI licenses will appear. Click on proceed. The license is eligible for renewal only 120 days before the expiration.
• Upload the documents and pay the applicable fees for the renewal of registration.
• The 17-digit number is generated
• The officers can also track the renewal application status on the FoSCos porta

Benefits of FSSAI Registration

The following benefits of registration under FSSAI are:

• The FSSAI logo serves as a global symbol of reliability and trustworthiness and has inherent value as a recognizable icon.
• Registration under FSSAI makes it easier to market the products and improve the brand image.
• The FSSAI license attracts new customers and secures extra credit when required
• There is a mandatory requirement when the food business is started in India
• It facilitates that the businesses are law-compliant.
• It also provides camps and workshops for training and helps to raise the standard of the products
• It also helps in the expansion of the business to foreign markets and the export of food products.
• Imported food can also be manufactured & regulated as well.