FSSAI Food License Registration
Registration Procedure
Fill and submit above FSSAI / Food registration form and pay for your order.
Our executive will contact you to collect additional details, documents and declaration.
After complete documents are received your application will be processed and acknowledgement will be provided.
Certificate will be provided after it is generated by department.
Benefits of FSSAI Registration
The FSSAI is a governmental body tasked with ensuring food safety in India. The FSSAI registration was created at the central level, to ensure that food products being sold in the Indian marketplace would adhere to a set of guidelines and regulations at any given time. In other words, the main goal of an FSSAI registration was to ensure public health, through a mechanism of regulation and supervision of food safety in the country. The department issues licenses to various businesses on the basis of an FSSAI fee. The FSSAI fee is paid at the time of registration, and the subsequent number issued is printed on their product or mentioned in a prominent place, for the general public.
The term FSSAI is an acronym for ‘Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’.
The FSSAI is an autonomous body, as per the existing legislative framework. This department in turn operates under the Ministry of Public Health, which operates under the central government of India. The department is in other words, a part of the central government of India, and whose oversight extends all across the territory of India, with regard to issues concerning food licensing.
The purpose of setting up the FSSAI department was in very simple words, for the sake of efficiency and simplicity of the food safety registration and regulation in India. It became apparent that as time passed by, there was a clear need for the creation of a body to regulate the food safety oversight across India. The reason for this was because the entire system of food safety management and regulation was very chaotic across the country. It became very difficult to manage food safety regulations in the country, owing to multiple departments throughout the country being tasked with the job. In an effort to quell the mess and make the process efficient, a new governmental body called the FSSAI was created, and tasked with all of the above mentioned responsibilities. In other words, the FSSAI was made the only department in the entire country that could oversee food safety and quality standards across the country. Today, all food manufactures are required to get FSSAI license, in order to operate in the market.
The FSSAI was established as an independent autonomous body, under the Ministry of Public Health, for the purpose of regulating the food licensing process in the country. The legal backing used by the Ministry of Public health is the ‘Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006’, a law passed to ensure the safety of food products, through the enforcement of necessary standards and regulations. All of the licenses issued by the FSSAI are issued under this law, if one were to apply for a food license in India.
The FSSAI has a variety of different powers given to it, for the purpose of executing its primary responsibilities pertaining food safety registration in India.The details of the same are given below:
1. The framing of regulations to create food safety standards.
2. To lay down guidelines for accreditation of the laboratories involved in food testing.
3. Provide scientific advice as well as technical support required by the central government.
4. Contributing to the creation and development of international technical standards for food, and the subsequent framework that would apply for a food license.
5. The collection and collation of data related to food consumption, emerging risks, contamination, etc.
6. The dissemination of information and promotion of awareness about food safety and nutrition in the country.
The FSSAI is a centralized organization, with several sub-divisions operating throughout the country. Heads of the state sub-divisions are appointed by the main FSSAI body, seated in Delhi. The main department in turn, is headed by a non-executive Chairperson, who is appointed directly by the central government. Appointments for the post are done by officials of the central government, who either hold or have held positions that are not below the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.
The main headquarters of the FSSAI in India is located in the country’s capital, New Delhi. Furthermore, there are six regional offices that manage these divisions, located in Guwahati, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Cochin. This department is tasked with the management of five different divisions across the country, which is given below.
1. Northern Region
2. Eastern Region
3. North Eastern Region
4. Western region
5. Southern Region
Each division is responsible for managing the functions of the FSSAI’s functions in the country, in its respective divisions. In addition to this, it should be added that these divisions are not autonomous in any way. They are just subsidiaries, reporting to the main head office in New Delhi with regard to their daily operations. In other words, these regions do not formulate policies of any kind on their own in any way.
The FSSAI is currently engaged with raising awareness among the general public and businesses on the subject of food safety. In addition to this, it is also slowly starting to branch out into the subject of creating a system of training programs, with the help of various accredited organizations and universities. This is however in the initial stages and will take some time before being fully implemented. The process will probably take a few years to be fully implemented across the country. The details of the same can be found though the FSSAI online portal. Do note that these are some of the most important FAQs with regard to the FSSAI in India. There are certainly plenty more such FAQs as well, based on your unique doubts and requirements. Depending on these, you should be able to clarify your doubts about the system, whether it is through an FSSAI agent or through the FSSAI online registration process. As a whole, it can be said without a doubt that the FSSAI is one of the most important governmental bodies, when it comes to ensuring food safety. Through its organizational structure, food safety protocols, testing laboratories and other initiatives, it is playing a major role to safeguard public health across India. For a business desiring to enter the country’s booming food market, it is necessary that one gets in touch with an FSSAI agent or FSSAI online registration, to apply for the necessary permits.
The FSSAI currently has multiple sub-divisions or departments that handle its various functions. The list of all the departments are given in the list mentioned below:
1. Import Division
2. International Co-operation
3. Regulatory Compliance Division (RCD)
4. Information Education Communication (IEC) Division
5. Regulation and Codex Division
6. Quality Assurance/ lab Division
7. Food Safety Management System (FSMS) Division
8. Risk Assessment and R&D division (RARD)
9. HR Division
10. Standards Division
Each of these various departments executes a specific function that the FSSAI is responsible for, and to help one get an FSSAI license.
The Import Division of the FSSAI is tasked with the oversight of food, with regard to the imports coming into the country. The quality of the food imported is subject to the scrutiny and oversight of the FSSAI. The department that handles the role of ensuring that food products entering the country have a certain degree of quality, before being released into the market for consumption.
The regulation and codex division of the FSSAI is tasked with the role of laying down the framework for ensuring food safety and quality standards. It works to establish science-based standards on regulations regarding food safety, as well as formulating adequate suggestions and recommendations on managing the process.
The International Co-operation division of the FSSAI is responsible for the tasks that involve cooperation with foreign bodies and governments, with regard to food safety between the countries. It is the department that handles any contacts coming in its way from a foreign country, with regard to food safety and other related quality issues.
The Regulatory Compliance Division of the FSSAI is the department which is responsible for ensuring that existing rules, regulations are followed and the creation of a suitable FSSAI food license system. In simple words, its role is to ensure that the regulatory compliance of all concerned parties is maintained at all times, with regard to existing legal frameworks. In addition to this, it also provides reports for the central department with regard to legal matters on food safety and overall quality.
The Food Safety Management System division of the FSSAI is tasked with ensuring managerial oversight of the entire food safety regulatory process and FSSAI food license system. Its role is to indentify, evaluate and consequently control food hazards that may exist in the existing supply chain. This extends from the basic ingredients used, to the food preparation process and packaging, as well as storage and transportation. In other words, it is the all encompassing system of the regulatory process, which is managed by this division of the FSSAI.
The Risk Assessment and R&D division of the FSSAI is tasked with two important functions. The details of the same are given below:
1. Risk Assessment – This function is related to the existing risk evaluation process with regard to the current food safety mechanism. Anything deemed to be of danger to public health and safety, is managed by this department. Its function, in simple words, is to estimate and evaluate the degree of potential risk that a food product or something related has, with regard to public health.
2. The R&D division of the FSSAI is tasked with all research and developmental processes associated with the food safety regulatory mechanism. In simple words, its role is to make sure that sound mechanisms exist with regard to research and division, as well as the setting up of higher standards to promote better food safety. Among the functions that are served under this department includes carrying out evidence based food safety tests, collaborating with concerned parties on subjects relating to ensuring food safety, and promote the development of food testing methodologies as well as any applicable technology.
The Information Education Communications Division of the FSSAI is tasked with the role of managing all information related to the FSSAI, and its subsequent dissemination to the general public and concerned parties. In simple words, the department’s role is to spread the necessary information to anyone who may require it. The information that s spread about includes, among others, important details on ensuring food safety, hygiene information, adulteration detection, the existing standards for food preparation, etc. Simply out, it acts as an information dissemination arm of the entire FSSAI department.
FAQ's on FSSAI Registration
Food handlers in India to have annual medical fitness tests under a new order passed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), to ensure that such tradesmen are free from any infectious, or other diseases. On clearing the medical fitness test with a certified medical practitioner, the food handler gets a medical fitness certificate from the practitioner, as well as the local representative of the FSSAI.
FSSAI is the apex authority that regulates the manufacture, sale, storage, distribution and import of food products. For any food business operator, it is necessary to obtain FSSAI registration and license to start a business in the food industry. There are some guidelines outlined in the FSSAI Act 2006 for food safety and personal hygiene for food business operators.
Anyone starting a new food business or taking over an existing food business is required to register their food business under the FSSAI. License is necessary to all businesses that store, sell, distribute or prepare food or drink. Once you submit a signed food business registration form you can start the business.
The Quality Assurance/Lab Division of FSSAI is one of the most important divisions of this department. As the name would suggest, it is tasked with the actual testing of food products and other related details, for the purpose of acquiring the necessary data on the same. The data used by this department is then used by other departments for enforcing existing rules, making changes to the law, disseminating information, creation of guidelines for various governmental bodies, etc. The labs used by the FSSAI can either be the ones owned by the department itself, or those of a registered third party, based on the existing demands and needs.
The HR division of the FSSAI doesn’t involve itself in the actual food safety regulation process. On the contrary, its role is to regulate the staffing and human resources oversight tasks of the FSSAI. From the hiring of individuals to the payment of salaries, all of these functions come under the purview of the HR Division.
The Standards Division of the FSSAI is tasked with the role of ensuring the creation and maintenance of suitable standards. This is important because the maintenance of food safety requires all food products as well as related ingredients, to have standards for comparison. It is with the comparison of the food to these products, that adequate food safety mechanisms can be created and enforced by the government. Simply put, the standards set by the FSSAI are to a large extent influenced by the work in the Standards division of the FSSAI. This is because other departments also have a role, such as those of the lab department or the one handling the formulation of the actual legal framework. This department is to a very large extent tasked with the creation of suitable reference benchmark for food safety and quality standards.
The research functions of the FSSAI include the various research work necessary to ensure a robust regulatory mechanism for food quality and overall safety. There is a constant need for the creation of standards, in order to ensure adaptability to changing situations. This is where the research of the FSSAI comes in. There is several research functions carried out by the FSSAI, the most important of which are given below:
1. Evaluation of existing research mechanisms is one of the most important. Since changes in current technology as well as general understanding can influence existing research methodologies and data, there is a need to constantly evaluate existing research methods that is used by the department. The FSSAI constantly works to ensure that current research methodologies and tools are in accordance with the latest scientific knowledge.
2. The second important research function carried out by the FSSAI is with regard to the creation of new standards of evaluation, rather than the upgradation of existing ones. This is applicable in case a way of testing food was discovered, with was until now unknown to the scientific establishment. Should such a discovery be made, the FSSAI works to have the same implemented in accordance with existing requirements and regulatory framework.
Quality assurance is one of the end-line functions of the FSSAI. Given that food safety is critical to ensure food health, the FSSAI works to ensure that any and all food consumed in the country is in accordance with safety standards. This responsibility that it is tasked with, is in a way a great burden on the larger department, as the entire country’s health will in effect, by on its shoulders. This is where quality assurance comes into the picture. The department strives to ensure quality food products at multiple levels, which are given below:
1. Ingredients – This has to do with the usage of quality and clean ingredients.
2. Food Manufacturing – The manufacturing process comprises of several steps, meaning that food can pass through multiple lines of preparation, before it is finally ‘prepared’. The FSSAI ensures that the entire food manufacturing process is well maintained, with regard to cleanliness, existing safety standards, etc.
3. Packaging – Once a food product is prepared, the next step involves its packaging. This is especially true for products that are sold in shops or supermarkets. The packaging process is also subjected to the oversight of the FSSAI, to ensure that the entire process is in accordance with existing food safety regulations.
4. Storage – This is the last part of the supply chain, where the food is stored in warehouses or other such places, before being delivered to the market for consumption. The FSSAI is responsible for ensuring that warehouses and other storage terminals are well maintained in accordance with current rules and regulations.
5. Import Functions – Not all food is made within the country. A lot of the food is imported from other countries, which makes it necessary to have a governmental oversight on them. This process of regulatory oversight on imported food is also carried out by the FSSAI.
The quality assurance with regard to labs is done through a process of accreditation, where labs are certified as being in accordance with FSSAI standards. There are currently three major standards in existence:
1. FSSAI notified NABL accredited labs- 112
2. State Labs-72
3. Referral Labs-14
Yes. The FSSAI creates numerous standards for food products. The creation of these standards is one of the prime functions of the department, in addition to the oversight of existing standards There are several different standards that are set for products. The scope of the FSSAI with regard to product standards extends from the level of ingredients to that of storage.
All business that is into some part of the food supply chain is required to have a valid FSSAI-issued license. In other words, yes. An FSSAI license is required for all businesses that are into food and food products. It is a mandatory requirement for all businesses in the country that is engaged in the manufacture of food and food products, to acquire an FSSAI certificate. The FSSAI certificate can be acquired from the website of the FSSAI department.
Food retailers or food business operators are the main recipients of FSSAI registration. To get FSSAI license they have to submit FSSAI license document. The relevant documents required for FSSAI license are as follows:
1. Photo ID of Food Business Operator.
2. Identification proofs like Ration Card, Department issued ID, PAN Card, Passport, Senior Citizen Card, Aadhaar Card, Driving License, Voter ID Card
3. Supporting documents like No Objection Certificate by Municipal / Panchayat, Health NOC.
The FSSAI is responsible for the safety of public health across the country. This need of FSSAI regulations makes it important for its employees to adhere to the highest standards of responsibility. The penalty for the failure to carry out the responsibilities range to a fine of up to one lakh rupees if found guilty under section 39 of the act. In addition to this, another thing that should be added is that when the complaint is made against the Food Safety Officer, the complainant will be punished with a fine that is not less than fifty thousand and may extend to one lakh rupees.
The term GM or Genetically Modified, is a reference to the fact that its genetics were modified, using various biotechnological advances in science. In the case of food, it can mean that one or several of the ingredients used for the same, were of GM origin. The FSSAI currently has no specific guidelines on the regulation of GM food or food products in the country. This is because the regulation of the same doesn’t come under the regulatory purview of the department. With regard to organic foods, the department has not set any specific standards. The term organic is currently applied to the various ingredients that have been produced based on set by specific standards. Organic foods are currently not regulated by the FSSAI. These two are a lacking need in the FSSAI, which will probably be addressed soon.
There are currently no microbiological guidelines currently in place, in India. Therefore, these concerns do not apply to the FSSAI. At the same time however, FSSAI does provide guidelines for microbiological standards, with regard to food safety.
The country has a vast network of laboratories catering to different needs, which includes even food safety. Coming to the subject of food safety, the country has several laboratories, which have the necessary infrastructure to assess the quality of food, ranging from those of the government, to private laboratories under the regulatory oversight of government bodies, among which is the FSSAI. Details of the laboratories accredited by the FSSAI have been mentioned in another question mentioned above, as well as on the main FSSAI online portal.
The FSSAI maintains its own laboratories for the purpose of food safety testing and quality compliance across the country. In addition to this, the department may take the help of other labs where it may deem fit. There are currently several different laboratories in the country that have been given the accreditation of the FSSAI, with regard to food standards, safety and the resulting guidelines for suitable food licenses. The labs that are used by the FSSAI and form a part of the network, are given various accredited licenses, the details of which have been mentioned in another FAQ given above.
The consumers benefit from the FSSAI in a number of ways. Some of the ways in which the FSSAI is beneficial to consumers are given below:
1. The availability of quality food and food products.
2. Better standards of health.
3. Reliable information on general food safety and proper hygiene.
4. A regulatory framework for individuals who would like to enter into the food business through provision of a suitable food license.
5. There is a provision for consumers who have been negatively affected due to the consumption of low quality or tainted food, to receive appropriate compensation.
FSSAI license can be obtained for a period of 1 year to 5 years. While applying for FSSAI license, one may decide for how long one wishes to obtain the FSSAI License. The fees for the FSSAI License shall also vary as per the number of years chosen for FSSAI registration. All the Food business operators must start their food business only after obtaining the valid FSSAI license. It is necessary to renew the FSSAI license before expiration to continue business. Penalties will be imposed if you forget FSSAI registration renewal, so it is always recommended to keep a check on the FSSAI license expiry date.
All business that is into some part of the food supply chain is required to have a valid FSSAI-issued license. In other words, yes. An FSSAI license is required for all businesses that are into food and food products. It is a mandatory requirement for all businesses in the country that is engaged in the manufacture of food and food products, to acquire an FSSAI certificate. The FSSAI certificate can be acquired from the website of the FSSAI department.