FSSAI Registration

Types of FSSAI Registration

The following are the various types of FSSAI registration:

1. FSSAI Basic Registration: FBOs with a turnover of less than Rs.12 lakh per annum must fill in Form A to obtain FSSAI basic registration.
2. FSSAI State License: By completing Form B, FBOs with a turnover between Rs.12 lakh and Rs.20 crore per annum can obtain an FSSAI state license.
3. FSSAI Central License: By submitting Form B, FBOs with a turnover exceeding Rs.20 crore per annum can obtain an FSSAI central license.

Food Business Operators (FBOs) who Need FSSAI Registration

Here is the list of FBOs who requires FSSAI Registration:

1. Retailers and retail shops such as snack shops, retail shops, confectionery or bakeries, etc.
2. Meat and fish processing units
3. Cold or refrigerated storage facility
4. Cafeteria and canteens including mid-day meal canteens
5. Temporary stalls, fixed stalls, or food premise involved in the preparation, distribution, storage and sale of food products such as:
   1. Gol Gappa stall
   2. Chat stall
   3. Fruits or vegetable vendors
   4. Tea stall
   5. Snacks stall
   6. Bread pakoda stall
   7. Samosa stall
   8. Chinese food stall
   9. South Indian food stall
   10. Sweet stall
   11. Juice shops, etc.
6. Hawkers travelling (usually on foot or movable carts) from one location to another, selling packaged or freshly prepared food.
7. Vegetable oil processing units
8. Proprietary food and Novel food
9. Hotels, restaurants and bars
10. Food vending agencies and caterer
11. Dairy units including petty milkman, milk chilling units, and milk vendors.
12. Slaughtering houses such as mutton shops, meat shops, chicken shops, lamb meat, etc.
13. All food manufacturing or processing units that include repacking of food.
14. Transporter of food products having a number of specialised vehicles like insulated refrigerated van/wagon, milk tankers, food wagons, food trucks, etc.
15. Wholesaler, distributor, supplier, and marketer of food products.
16. food stalls in fairs or religious institutions, PG providing food, Dhaba, Banquet halls with food catering arrangements, and home-based canteens.
17. Importers and exporters of food items including food ingredients.
18. E-commerce food suppliers including cloud kitchens.

Note: Based on the eligibility criteria of the businesses, the type of FSSAI license or registration is provided.

Procedure for Obtaining FSSAI Registration Online

The following are the process of obtaining online FSSAI Registration:

1. By filling in and submitting Form A (for Registration), FBOs can obtain FSSAI registration or Fill in Form B (for State and Central License) online via the FoSCoS portal or offline through the Food and Safety Department.
2. Applicants need to upload the required documents online on the FoSCoS portal or submit them physically with the application to the Food and Safety Department.
3. The FSSAI department can accept or reject the registration form within 7 days of receiving the application, either via online or offline mode and applicants will be notified in writing if rejected.
4. Before granting the FSSAI registration certificate, the Department will scrutinize the submitted documents and may also inspect the food premises.
5. The Department will issue an FSSAI registration certificate, if the applicant fulfills all the necessary criteria.
6. The department sends the FSSAI registration certificate including the registration number and the applicant's photo, via email and the applicant can also download the certificate from through the FoSCoS portal.
7. FBOs must display the FSSAI registration certificate prominently at their place of business during operating hours.

Eligibility of FSSAI Registration

Here is the eligibility criteria required for FSSAI Registration:

1. The temporary stall holder selling food
2. Annual turnover less than Rs.12 lakh for any FBO
3. Retailer dealing in food products
4. Any person manufacturing or selling any food article by himself
5. Except a caterer, any individual distributing food in any religious or social gathering
6. Food business operated by small-scale or cottage industries

Food Capacity Limit Required for Obtaining FSSAI Registration

Eligibility for Different Types of FSSAI License

Based on the business size, there are two types of FSSAI licenses, such as State FSSAI license and Central FSSAI license. Here are the details of eligibility criteria for FSSAI license:

State FSSAI License Fees & Requirements

Food Business Operator (FBO) need to take State FSSAI registration from the State Government with medium-sized manufacturing units, transporters, marketers, traders, etc. Here are the criteria for FBOs to obtain State FSSAI license:

Central FSSAI License Fees and Conditions

Central FSSAI registration must be obtained from the Central Government by the FBOs who large manufacturers, importers and exporters with large-scale food businesses. Here are the criteria to obtain centra FSSAI license for FBOs:

Documents Required for Obtaining the FSSAI Registration or License

Here is the list of documents required for obtaining FSSAI Registration or License:

1. Photo identity proof of the food business operators.
2. Business constitution certificate such as:
   1. Partnership deed
   2. Certificate of incorporation
   3. Shop and establishment license, or
   4. Other business registration certificate
3. Proof of possession of business premises such as:
   1. Rental agreement
   2. NOC from the owner of the rented premises
   3. Utility bills etc.
      1. Bank account information
4. Plan of food safety management system
5. List of food products manufactured or processed.
6. Supporting documents (if required) such as:
   1. NOC by Municipality or Panchayat
   2. Health NOC
   3. Copy of License from the manufacturer, etc.

Additional documents required for obtaining FSSAI state license are:

1. Duly completed and signed Form B
2. Equipment and machinery list that are used with the number and installed capacity
3. Plan of the processing unit along with the details of dimensions and operation-wise area allocation
4. List of Directors, Partners, and Proprietor with address, contact details, and photo ID
5. Authority letter mentioning the person’s name and address nominated by the manufacturer
6. To confirm the portability, analysis report of water to be used in the process also to be submitted
7. Under Coop Act 1861/Multi-State Coop Act 2002, the copy of certificate obtained

Additional documents required for obtaining FSSAI central license are:

1. Duly completed and signed Form B
   1. Equipment and machinery list that are used with the number and installed capacity
   2. Plan of the processing unit along with the details of dimensions and operation-wise area allocation
   3. List of Directors, Partners, and Proprietor with address, contact details, and photo ID
   4. Authority letter mentioning the person’s name and address nominated by the manufacturer
2. Source of raw material for milk, meat etc.
3. Recall plan wherever applicable
4. Ministry of Commerce Certificate for 100% EOU
5. FSSAI issued NOC or PA document
6. DGFT issued IE code
7. Form IX
8. Declaration form
9. Certificate from Ministry of Tourism
10. Proof of turnover and transportation as supporting document

Cost of FSSAI License

Here are the details of cost of FSSAI license:

1. FSSAI Basic Registration fee: Rs.100
2. FSSAI State License fee: Between Rs.2,000 to Rs.5,000 depending on the type of business
3. FSSAI Central License fee: Rs.7,500

How to Check FSSAI Registration Status

Here are the details regarding status of FSSAI registration:

1. At various stages of their application process, applicants will receive SMS or email alerts from FSSAI.
2. Enter the application reference number on the 'Track Application Status' tab on the FoSCoS website to check the FSSAI registration status.
3. Different stages of the application can be viewed through tracking.
4. If FSSAI authorities require modifications or clarifications, then the FSSAI registration status shows ‘Application Reverted’.
5. To prevent application rejection, the applicant must respond within 30 days from the date of reversion.
6. Once the FSSAI authorities approve and issue the certificate, the status will display as ‘Registration Certificate Issued’.
7. Applicants can download the issued certificate by logging into the FoSCoS website.

FSSAI License for Cloud Kitchen

Here are the details about FSSAI license required for cloud kitchen:

1. Cloud kitchens, also known as dark or ghost kitchens, are commercial kitchens that prepare food exclusively for delivery or takeout, without a physical dining area.
2. Orders are received through online platforms, and the food is delivered from a base kitchen directly to the customer's location.
3. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulates the food industry in India and mandates that cloud kitchens must also obtain FSSAI license like all Food Business Operators (FBOs).
4. Cloud kitchens must secure either an FSSAI Basic Registration, FSSAI State License, or FSSAI Central License, depending on their annual turnover e.
5. Cloud kitchens can apply for FSSAI Licenses or Registration via the FoSCoS portal by:
   1. Selecting their business type
   2. Entering their annual turnover
   3. Filling out Form A or Form B
   4. Uploading the necessary documents
   5. Paying online.
6. The respective department will verify the application and scrutinize the submitted documents, once the application is submitted.
7. The FSSAI registration certificate with the registration number will be issued to the applicant's email ID, if the cloud kitchen meets all the required criteria.

Benefits of Obtaining FSSAI Food License

Here are the details about the benefits of obtaining FSSAI food license:

1. Several legal advantages are provided to food businesses, through FSSAI license including enhancing goodwill, ensuring food safety, and increasing consumer trust.
2. Aligning the business with legal standards and helping to regulate the manufacture, storage, distribution, and sale of imported food.
3. It reflects compliance with government regulations, thereby making it easier for Food Business Operators (FBOs) to secure funding from investors.
4. Assures customers of the food's quality, boosting consumer confidence, by displaying the FSSAI logo on food products.
5. Indicates adherence to hygiene and quality standards by displaying the FSSAI registration number at food premises.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Here is the list of consequences of non-compliance:

1. The rules outlined in the FSS Act, 2006 must be followed by the FSSAI registered or licensed individuals.
2. A food safety officer inspects the food business operator’s facility and evaluates compliance with regulations using a checklist.
3. Compliance levels are marked as:
   1. Compliance (C)
   2. Non-compliance (NC)
   3. Partial compliance (PC)
   4. Not applicable/Not observed (NA)
4. Under Section 32 of the FSS Act, 2006, the food safety officer may issue an improvement notice if required.
5. License may be cancelled if failing to comply with the improvement notice after providing the licensee an opportunity to explain.
6. If needed, affected operators can appeal to the State Commissioner of Food Safety and challenge the decision in the Food Safety Appellate Tribunal or the High Court.

Penalty for Non-Compliance

Here is the list of penalties involved in non-compliance of FSSAI registration:

Renewal of FSSAI License

The FSSAI license is valid for one year or five years and the food business operators must renew their license 30 days prior to expiry of current license.