In India, any individual or entity starting up a food business needs to get a food license issued or registration done by the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI). The implementation of FSSAI rules and regulations is undertaken by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, the headquarters of this body is located in New Delhi.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF FSSAI
- FSSAI lays down a set of safety standards to regulate and maintain the manufacturing, distribution, and storage of food products, also, it ensures the availability of safe food products. This authority is largely responsible for promoting public health among the people by keeping a regular check.
- The primary focus of FSSAI is public health and hence, FSSAI plays an important role in conducting regular research and verification of food products that are sold in the market
ELIGIBILITY FOR FSSAI LICENSE
The following food business operators can be issued the central FSSAI license:
- Slaughtering units
- Proprietary foods
- Food processing units
- Vegetable oil processing units
- Units producing vegetable oil through solvent extraction
- Refineries, including Oil Expeller Unit
- Dairy units incorporating chilling milk units
SET OF DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR BASIC FSSAI FOOD LICENSE
- Passport-sized photograph of the applicant
- PAN card
- Proof of identity- voter ID card or AADHAAR card
- Address proof – telephone or mobile bill/ electricity or gas bill
- Copy of rent agreement and NOC letter
SOME INFORMATIONAL FACTS ABOUT FSSAI
- It takes around two months to acquire an FSSAI license and approximately 6 months for the launch of product approval in the market.
- About 90% of food products sold in the market have a prescribed specification by FSSAI.
- The food products other than these include sea products. Farmers or fishermen are out of the scope of FSSAI.
TYPES OF FSSAI FOOD LICENSES IN INDIA
Three different types of food licenses are issued by the Food Safety and Security Association of India:
- BASIC FSSAI REGISTRATION
- Small-sized food business operators – manufacturers, storage units, and retailers must acquire this basic FSSAI registration
- Issued by the state gov for a minimum period of one year and a maximum of 5 years.
- These food business operators mostly have an annual turnover of fewer than 12 lakhs
- STATE FSSAI LICENSE
- Food business operators having turnover of more than twelve lakhs are issued this license
- Small to medium-sized manufacturers, storage units, and transporters must obtain the state FSSAI license.
- It has a minimum validity of one year and a maximum of 5 years
- CENTRAL FSSAI LICENSE
- Food business operators having annual turnover greater than 20 crores are issued this license
- Large manufacturers, government agencies, seaports, etc. need to obtain a central FSSAI license
- This license is issued by the central government, and the minimum tenure of this license is one year, while the maximum is five years.
Any food business operator selling food products in the market should have a food license issued by FSSAI
In conclusion, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is instrumental in upholding food safety standards across India. Mandating licenses for various food-related businesses, FSSAI ensures adherence to stringent regulations, promoting public health and safety. With its distinct licensing categories catering to businesses of different sizes, FSSAI plays a pivotal role in ensuring the availability of safe and regulated food products in the market. Compliance with FSSAI standards remains imperative for all food businesses, contributing to consumer well-being and fostering trust within the food industry.
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