FSSAI Registration Certificate

FSSAI registration is one of the most important registration required by every person involved in the food business, such as persons who wish to open a restaurant, bakery, hotel, cloud kitchen or food stall in India. Every Food Business Operator (FBO), such as entities or persons involved in manufacturing, preparation, selling, transportation, distribution and storage of food articles/products, are also mandatorily required to have an FSSAI registration to carry on their food business.

Every person (natural or artificial) involved in food business, such as manufacturing, processing, storage, distribution and sale of food products must compulsorily obtain FSSAI Registration or License.

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

FSSAI registration is based on the business types, turnover and capacity of production. Depending upon the installed capacity and turnover, FBOs are eligible for license such as basic license, central license, and state license.

1. FSSAI Central License
2. FSSAI State License
3. FSSAI Basic Registration

• FSSAI Basic Registration– FBOs having a turnover of less than Rs.12 lakh p.a must obtain FSSAI basic registration. The FSSAI registration form that the applicant has to fill to obtain FSSAI basic registration is Form A.
• 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 the FSSAI state license. The FSSAI registration form that the applicant has to fill to obtain an FSSAI state license is Form B.
• FSSAI Central License– FBOs having a turnover of more than Rs.20 crore p.a must obtain the FSSAI central license. The FSSAI registration form that the applicant has to fill to obtain FSSAI central license is Form B.

Food Business Operators (FBOs)

Who Require FSSAI Registration

The FBOs carrying on the following kinds of business are mandatorily required to obtain an FSSAI Registration/License:

• Petty retailers and retail shops such as a retail shop, snacks shop, confectionery or bakery, etc.
• Temporary stalls or fixed stall or food premise involved in the preparation, distribution, storage and sale of food products such as Gol Gappa stall, chat stall, fruits/vegetable vendors, tea stall, snacks stall, bread pakoda stall, samosa stall, chinese food stall, South Indian food stall, sweet stall, juice shops, etc.
• Hawkers who sell packaged or freshly prepared food by travelling (usually on foot or movable carts) from one location to another.
• Dairy units including milk chilling units, petty milkman and milk vendors.
• Vegetable oil processing units.
• Slaughtering houses such as meat shops, mutton shops, chicken shops, lamb meat, etc.
• Meat processing and fish processing units.
• All food manufacturing or processing units that include repacking of food.
• Proprietary food and Novel food.
• Cold/refrigerated storage facility.
• Transporter of food products having a number of specialised vehicles like insulated refrigerated van/wagon, milk tankers, food wagons, food trucks, etc.
• Wholesaler, supplier, distributor and marketer of food products.
• Hotels, restaurants and bars.
• Canteens and cafeteria including mid-day meal canteens.
• Food vending agencies and caterer.
• Dhaba, PG providing food, Banquet halls with food catering arrangements, home based canteens and food stalls in fairs or religious institutions.
• Importers and exporters of food items including food ingredients.
• E-commerce food suppliers including cloud kitchens.

The type of FSSAI license/registration required by each of the kinds of the above-mentioned businesses depends on their eligibility criteria. The eligibility criteria for each kind of business and type of license/registration is provided on the FSSAI website.

FSSAI Registration Eligibility

FSSAI Registration is a basic license and it 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 lakh.
• Petty retailer dealing in food products.
• Any person who manufactures or sells any food article by himself.
• Food sale is done by the temporary stall holder.
• Any individual who distributes food in any religious or social gathering except a caterer.
• Small-scale or cottage industries dealing in the food business. 

State FSSAI License

FBO with medium-sized manufacturing units, transporters, marketers, traders, etc., need to take State FSSAI registration from the State Government. This category covers the following businesses:

• FBO’s must have a turnover between Rs 12 lakh to Rs 20 crore (Rs 30 crore in case of transportation business and wholesaler)
• All grains, cereals, pulses milling units without any limit on production capacity

Central FSSAI License

FBOs who are large manufacturers, importers and exporters dealing in large-scale food businesses need to obtain Central FSSAI registration from the Central Government. This category covers the following businesses:

• FBO’s must have a turnover above Rs 20 crore (Rs 30 crore in case of transportation business and wholesaler)

Following FBOs irrespective of turnover or size of business:

• Food businesses operating in two or more states.
• Importers and exporters.
• Proprietary food and Non-specified food. 
• Food or health supplements and Nutraceuticals.
• Radiation processing of foods.
• Food Business Activities at premises of Central Govt Agencies
• Caterers, restaurants, canteens, hawkers or petty retailers at the premises of railway stations
• E-commerce food business

Documents Required For Obtaining the FSSAI Registration/License

The following documents are required to obtain FSSAI basic registration, FSSAI state license and FSSAI central license:

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

Apart from the above-mentioned general documents, certain specific documents are required for obtaining the FSSAI state license and FSSAI central license. The specific documents required to obtain the FSSAI state license are:

• Form B duly completed and signed
• Plan of the processing unit showing the dimensions and operation-wise area allocation   
• 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
• Authority letter from manufacturer nominated a responsible person name and address
• Analysis report of water to be used in the process to confirm the portability
• Copy of certificate obtained under Coop Act 1861/Multi-State Coop Act 2002

Apart from the general license, the following specific documents are required to obtain FSSAI central license:

• Form B duly completed and signed
• Plan of the processing unit showing the dimensions and operation-wise area allocation   
• 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
• Authority letter from manufacturer nominated a responsible person name and address
• Analysis report of water to be used in the process to confirm the portability
• Source of raw material for milk, meat etc
• Recall plan wherever applicable
• Ministry of Commerce Certificate for 100% EOU
• NOC/PA document issued by FSSAI
• IE code document issued by DGFT
• Form IX
• Certificate from Ministry of Tourism
• Supporting document for proof of turnover and transportation
• Declaration form

Benefits of Procuring FSSAI Food License

Obtaining a license can provide the food business with legal benefits, build goodwill, ensure food safety, create consumer awareness, and assist in business expansion. Also, it helps regulate, manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of import food. It is easy to obtain funds from investors when an FBO has FSSAI registration.

The FSSAI logo on the food products ensures the quality of food to the customers. The FSSAI registration number displayed on the food premises indicate that the premises comply with the hygiene and quality standards.

Renewal of FSSAI License

The FSSAI license is essential to commence the food business, similarly, it is imperative to renew the license. The license is issued for a validity of 1 year or 5 years, so the business must apply for renewal 30 days prior to the expiry of the current license.