How to Apply for FSSAI Licence?

22 July 2023

FSSAI expands for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. This is a competent authority that keeps an eye on the quality of food and governs this business in India. It is a voluntary body that is set up under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. 

The Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006 (FSS Act) is a consolidated law related to food governance in India. All such checks that ensure the quality of eatables, and thereby, reduce food adulteration and the sale of substandard products come under this statute. The very same authority registers and provides licence to the Food Business Operators (FBOs) in India. 

Food Business Operators that Require FSSAI Registration

Here is the checklist of all food operators that must apply for FSSAI licence and registration.

• Petty retailers who run retail shops, snacks shop, confectionery, or bakery
• Temporary or fixed stalls, such as fruit chat stalls, vegetable vendors, tea stalls, etc.
• Kitchen involved in the preparation, distribution, storage, and sale of eatables
• Hawkers selling packed or fresh food on a movable cart or by foot
• Dairy stores or units, including milk chilling units, petty milkmen, and vendors
• Vegetable oil processing units
• Slaughtering units or shops, such as meat shops, chicken shops, etc.
• Meat processing units
• Food manufacturing/ processing units that are involved in repacking food
• Proprietary and novel food
• Cold storage
• Food transporters, such as insulated refrigerated van/ wagon, milk tankers, food wagons, etc.
• Wholesaler, supplier, distributor, and marketer of eatables
• Hotels, restaurants, and bars
• Canteens and cafeteria
• Food vending agencies and caterers
• Dhaba, food suppliers to PGs, banquet halls, food caterers, dabbawalas, food stalls in fairs or religious institutes
• Importers and exporters of food ingredients
• eCommerce food suppliers, including cloud kitchens

FSSAI Licence Eligibility

The registration for FASSAI licence depends on the type of business. In accordance with the aforementioned FBOs, their eligibility is defined.

Basically, this licence is divided into two categories, which are State FSSAI Licence and Central FSSAI Licence. These licences are provided on the basis of their sizes (large or small-scale businesses).  

Generally, the central government issues licences to large-scale FBOs. On the flip side, small-scale FBOs apply with the state government for FSSAI licence. Now the question is which FBOs are small and large ones.

It’s also clearly differentiated in terms of turnover. If the FBO has a turnover between INR 12 Lakh and INR 20 crore, they are small-scale entity. And, those entities having a turnover of more than INR 20 crores are large-scale FBOs.

Moreover, there is another scale to map their size. It is the capacity of their manufacturing. If a unit produces 2MT per day and a dairy unit produces up to 5000 litres per day, they should apply for a licence irrespective of their turnovers. All importers and exporters should also apply for it.

This licence is issued for a maximum of 5 years and a minimum of 1 year.  

Documents to Enclose for Obtaining the FSSAI Licence

This list of documents can help you to register for FSSAI basic registration and licence.

General Documents

• Photo identity proof or business owner
• Business constitution certificate, such as partnership deed, certificate of incorporation, shop and establishment licence, etc.
• Business address proof, which can be rental agreement, NOC from the owner of the property, utility bills, etc.
• Food safety management system plan
• List of food products manufactured or processed
• Bank account details
• Supporting papers, such as NOC by Municipality or Panchayat, Health NOC, copy of licence from manufacturer, etc.

State Government

• Form B
• Plan of area of the processing unit (dimensions as per operations)
• List of directors/ partners/proprietors, their addresses, contact details, and photo ID
• Name and list of assets, like machinery with their number and capacity
• Authority letter by a nominee (manufacturer)
• Water analysis report to confirm its portability
• Photocopy of certificate procured under Coop Act 1861/ Multi-state Coop Act 2002

Central Government

• Duly filled & attested Form B
• Processing unit plan with the area as per operations
• Directors/ partners/ proprietor details with photo ID
• Name and list of assets or machinery used with their number and capacity
• Authority letter by the nominated manufacturer with his name and address
• Water analysis report to confirm its portability
• Source of raw materials, such as vegetables, milk, meat, etc.
• Revised plan
• Ministry of Commerce certificate for 100% EOU
• NOC/ PA document (by FSSAI)
• IE code document (by DGFT)
• Form IX
• Certificate from the Ministry of Tourism
• Turnover and transportation proof
• Declaration form

Procedure for FSSAI Application

• These documents can help in verifying your eligibility for this licence or registration. You may consult with CAAQ for getting end-to-end support to apply on FoSCoS portal portal via Form A and B.
• Once applied, the department accepts or rejects your application within 7 days. The receipt can help you to track its status. It will be in writing if your application is rejected.
• The aforementioned documents will be verified.
• Then, the officers from the department will visit to your premise to inspect the quality before sanctioning the certificate or licence, if required.
• Finally, the satisfied department will grant it with the registration number and the photo of the applicant on the email ID. You may download it from the website.
• You should prominently display it at the place of business.

Overall Cost

This is challenging to accurately discover the cost of an FSSAI licence. CAAQ-like business and compliance consultants can help you to discover its actual cost. They have experts who can exactly tell how much you should pay as its fee.                

Here is an overview of its registration fee for its different types:  

• FSSAI basic registration:  INR 100
• FSSAI state licence: INR 2500 to INR 5000 
• FSSAI central licence: INR 7500