Tax Registration & License: FSSAI

What is FSSAI?

FSSAI (i.e. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) is an institution which oversees and controls the food trade in our country. It makes sure that the food products are subjected towards multiple quality inspections thereby diminishing the food deterioration as well as sale of inferior merchandises. It is accountable for the recording as well as licensing of the FBO (Food Business Operators) in India and it advances the standards and principles for operating the food business in India.

FSSAI Registration vs License

The certification plus permission for food business in our country is administered by the Food safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food businesses) Regulation, 2011. According to this regulation, each food business administrator in India is needed to have a FSSAI registration or license in case they are occupied in the production, depository, conveyance or circulation and dispersion of food products. As per the intensity as well as type of business, FSSAI registration or FSSAI license might be needed.

Why is FSSAI Registration Required?

Every food business administrator concerned with the production, preparation, storehouse, circulation & sale of food products should mandatorily acquire the FSSAI Registration or License. FSSAI Registration is distinct from FSSAI License i.e. it is dependent on the size as well as type of the business, FBO should acquire the required registration or license.

It is a 14-digit registration or a license number that is engraved on all the food containers. This enrollment process aims to build more responsibility on the FBO to manage the excellence of the food products. FSSAI enrollment is needed for every petty food business operator. A trivial food business operator is any person or entity who:

● Produces or sells any item of food himself or a petty hawker, itinerant vendor or temporary stall holder, retailer; or
● Give away food items inclusive of any religious or social get together except for a caterer; or
● Events correlating with food like that of small scale or cottage or such other businesses pertaining to food or tiny businesses with an annual turnover not exceeding Rs 12 lakhs and also those whose:

– The volume with which food items are produced (other than milk and milk products and meat and meat products) does not exceed 100 kg/ltr per day or
– Obtainment or management as well as accumulation of milk is up to 500 litres of milk per day or
– Butchering competency is 2 large animals or 10 small animals or 50 poultry birds per day or less.

Frivolous food trade operators are needed to acquire a FSSAI registration through submitting an application for registration in Form A. On submission of a FSSAI registration form, the registration shall be given or application rebuffed in writing within 7 days of receipt of an application by the authority.

FSSAI enrollment certificate includes the details of registration as well as a picture of the candidate. The certificate must be noticeably displayed at the place of food business, at all times while carrying on with the food business.

Procedure for Obtaining FSSAI Registration

• FSSAI registration can actually be established by submitting Form A (application) to food and safety department.
• This application can be accepted or it may be rejected by the Department within 7 days from the application date and the fact has to be intimated to the applicant in writing.
• If the application is accepted, then the department will grant a registration certificate with the registration number and the photo of the applicant.
• FBO should prominently display the certificate of registration at the place of business during the business hours.

Common documents required for obtaining FSSAI registration

• Form B – completed and signed
• Photo Identity of FBO
• Proof of possession of premises (eg. Rental Agreement )
• Partnership Deed / Certificate of Incorporation / Articles of Association etc
• List of food products to be dealt with
• Food safety management system plan

FSSAI License

Any person or entity that can not not be classified as a minor food business operator is mandatorily required to obtain a FSSAI license in order to operate a food business in our country. FSSAI license is of two types:

• State FSSAI License and
• Central FSSAI License.

These are distinguished on the basis of size and nature of the business. Depending on these two factors, the licensing authority also changes. Large food manufacturer / processors / transporters and importers of food products need the central FSSAI license; on the other hand, state FSSAI license is needed for medium sized food manufacturers, processor and transporters.

The fee as well as method for acquiring a FSSAI license is more extensive in comparison to the process of FSSAI registration. FSSAI license application is prescribed as well as recommended to be made in Form B to the appropriate Licensing Authority in addition to the necessary self-attested declaration, affidavit and annexures, as applicable.

FSSAI license is granted for a time span of 1 to 5 years as requested by the food business operator. Higher fee shall be applicable for obtaining FSSAI license for further more years. If in case, registration is acquired for one or two years, then the license can be renewed by making an application, no later than 30 days prior to the expiry date of the FSSAI license.