FSSAI Central Registration Online in India

Fundamental Functions and Duties Performed by FSSAI

• Publishing guidelines and norms for food safety and hygiene.
• Launching nationwide initiatives to create food safety awareness among businesses and consumers.
• Taking appropriate legal action against food businesses involved in illicit practices such as food adulteration.
• Facilitating recommendations to the Government of India in outlining new policies.
• Issuing mandatory food licenses and registrations to food business operators.
• Rolling out guidelines and directions under the FSS Act, 2006 for entities operating in the food sector.

Businesses That Require a Mandatory FSSAI License

The following businesses are mandatorily required to register under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006:

• Restaurants
• E-commerce businesses such as online home kitchens
• Food Business Operators of Indian Railways, airports, etc.
• Food businesses selling coffee or coffee-based products
• Supermarkets such as Reliance, Vishal Mega Mart, etc.
• Manufacturers of powdered tea
• Food vending machine operators
• E-commerce businesses selling prepared food online (e.g., Swiggy, Zomato)
• Food businesses selling Herbalife-based products
• Food Business Operators dealing in import or export of food products
• Food Business Operators at Indian airports
• Food marketing companies
• E-commerce businesses selling food products online
• Online businesses selling packaged commodities (e.g., Flipkart, Amazon, Blinkit)
• Catering businesses
• Event management businesses
• Colleges and institutions providing canteen facilities
• Businesses involved in retail, export, and import of food products
• Agricultural product businesses
• Manufacturers/sellers of packaged products
• Manufacturers/sellers of various types of oil
• Hospitals providing meals to patients or operating a canteen
• Manufacturers/sellers of packaged drinking water
• Businesses involved in export/import, retail, and wholesale of dairy products
• Manufacturers/sellers of chocolate and chocolate-based products
• Food transporters
• Repackagers of food items
• Milk chilling units
• All types of food business operators

Why Apply for the FSSAI Central License?

• Nationwide Identity: The FSSAI License builds goodwill and creates brand recognition at a global level.
• Legal Advantage: FSSAI License provides security and legal rights to all those involved in the food business. It serves as evidence that the business meets food safety standards.
• Business Expansion: With an FSSAI Central License, expanding to new locations and opening new outlets becomes easier. It also facilitates access to business loans and other funding for business development.

Eligibility for FSSAI Central License

In addition to the basic turnover criteria, an FSSAI Central License is also required for the following:

• Dairy facilities producing milk solids with an annual production capacity of 50,000 litres to 2,500 MT
• Food processing units with a daily production capacity of 2 MT
• Processing units producing vegetable oil with a daily production volume of 2 MT
• Slaughter units with a daily capacity of:
  1. 1,000 poultry birds
  2. 150 small animals
  3. 50 large animals
• Meat processing units with a daily production capacity of 50 kg or 150 MT
• Food businesses exporting food articles abroad
• Catering service or food marketing businesses with annual turnover of more than Rs. 20 crores
• Food processing units with refrigeration or cold storage capacity of 1,000 MT or more
• Food catering services working under the government, including at seaports, airports, etc.
• Wholesalers in the food business with annual turnover of more than Rs. 20 crores
• Retailers and distributors of food articles with annual turnover of more than Rs. 20 crores
• Restaurants and eating houses with annual turnover of Rs. 20 crores or more

Additional conditions that require an FSSAI Central License:

• Businesses dealing in health supplements and nutraceuticals
• Restaurants or hotels rated 5-star or 7-star
• Transport businesses operating more than 100 vehicles

Documents Required for FSSAI Central License

• Form B — duly filled and signed by the applicant
• Detailed floor plan of the processing facility showing critical areas and operational layout
• Name and list of machinery currently working at the plant
• Authorisation letter (if applying on behalf of a company)
• Copy of trust deed and record of trustees (for registered trusts)
• Copy of Certificate of Incorporation, MOA, and AOA (for incorporated entities such as Pvt. Ltd., LLP, etc.)
• Complete copy of partnership deed with all partner details and authorisation letter (for partnership firms)
• Complete copy of co-operative society deed (for co-operative societies)
• Registered or notarised rent agreement with NOC and electricity bill as address proof
• Detailed Food Safety Management System (FSMS) plan and blueprint of the processing unit
• List of active raw material suppliers with NOC
• NOC from concerned local authorities related to processing
• Copy of Tourism Certificate from the Ministry of Tourism (for hotel owners)
• IEC (Import Export Code) certificate from DGFT (for businesses exporting food articles)
• Declaration in case turnover exceeds Rs. 20 crores

Steps for Obtaining FSSAI Central License

Step 1: Submission of Form B

The applicant must submit Form B along with the required documents through the FSSAI official website, following FSSAI guidelines. The applicable turnover criteria must be kept in mind during submission.

Step 2: Application Scrutiny by FSSAI Officials

After submission, FSSAI officials scrutinise the application in detail. If they are not satisfied with the documents, they raise an objection requiring the applicant to complete the documentation and fulfill any other formalities.

Step 3: Site Inspection by FSSAI Officials

The FSSAI central authority sends designated officials to verify the details provided by the applicant and assess the level of compliance with the FSSAI Act, 2006. Any non-conformity may increase the chances of rejection or an objection being raised.

Step 4: Approval of Application and Granting of License

Once the licensing authority is satisfied with the inspection and documents, the application is approved and the certificate is issued within a few days. The business owner can then commence operations.

Note: Displaying the certificate at the business premises is mandatory for all license holders.

Renewal and Validity of FSSAI Central License

The Central License is valid for a period of 1 to 5 years. The expiry date is mentioned on the certificate, and it is mandatory to renew the license at least 30 days before expiry. Failure to renew on time will result in a late renewal fine.

The renewal process is as straightforward as the initial application. The following documents must be submitted at the time of renewal:

• One passport-sized photograph
• Identity proof — PAN card, Aadhaar card, Voter ID, etc.
• Address proof — electricity bill, etc.
• Copy of ownership deed or rent agreement with NOC as proof of possession

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FAQs

Q1. What is the enforcement of the FSSAI Act, 2006?

The enforcement involves ensuring compliance with the FSS Act, 2006 and the rules and regulations made thereunder by all Food Business Operators (FBOs).

Q2. How can I get a Central FSSAI License?

You need to submit Form B along with the required documents through the FSSAI official portal.

Q3. Who requires an FSSAI Central License?

As per the basic criteria set by FSSAI, any food business with an annual turnover of more than Rs. 20 crores is required to obtain this license.

Q4. Who issues the FSSAI Central License?

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issues the Central License.

Q5. What are the three types of FSSAI licenses?

The three types are: (a) FSSAI Basic Registration, (b) FSSAI State License, and (c) FSSAI Central License.

Q6. How can I upgrade my FSSAI license to a Central License?

A formal request for license conversion can be submitted on the FSSAI official portal, or a fresh application can be filed with the old certificate.

Q7. What is the fee for an FSSAI Central License?

The government fee for an FSSAI Central License is Rs. 7,500 per year, which may vary depending on the nature of the business.

Q8. How long does it take to get approval for a Central FSSAI License?

Approval of an FSSAI Central License takes a minimum of 30 days.