FSSAI - Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is an autonomous body established under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. The FSSAI has been established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 which is a consolidating statute related to food safety and regulation in India. It is an organization that monitors and governs the food business in India. FSSAI License is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety.
FSSAI License or FSSAI Registration is mandatory before starting any food business. FSSAI Registration Online is required for all food-related businesses such as manufacturers, traders, restaurants, small eateries, grocery shop, importers, exporters, home-based food businesses, dairy farms, processors, retailers, e-tailers. who are involved in food business must obtain a 14-digit registration Number or a Food license number which must be printed on food packages or Displayed in Premises. This 14 digit FSSAI license number gives data about the producer's permit or enrollment subtle elements, and the assembling state.
Online FSSAI Registration
Step 1: Fulfilling the Eligibility Criteria-
In order to begin your application for the FSSAI License online, simply log-in to their website. The official website of FSSAI. Once you go to the website, one of the slides will appear with the title ‘Are your Eligible For’ with three options:
- Central License
- State License
- Registration
Click on the slide and it will require you to fill up the address, state, district and action. As soon as you save and add, there will appear a hyperlink saying ‘Check Eligibility Criteria’. Click on the link, it will lead you to a series of yes-no and descriptive questions relating to your enterprise. As soon as you answer all the questions, there will be an option to Proceed. If you are satisfied with the answers you filled above, click on proceed! After you have finished the pre-check, you will know which license you can apply for based upon their individual eligibility criterion. There are two types of FSSAI License- Central and State License. The eligibility for each of these is different. Just check which of the two you are eligible for. For each of these licenses, you need to first fill in the address for each location and then check on the given eligibility. The general line of distinction between these two types of FSSAI License is based upon the turnover. If the product or restaurant, you wish to register with FSSAI has an annual turnover up to Rs. 20 crores, then it is suggested that you for the State FSSAI License. However, if the said turnover is greater than 20 Crores, a Central FSSAI License is suitable for you.
Step 2: Apply Online
On the extreme right bar of the webpage, you will see a tab that says ‘Apply Online’. Clicking on the tab will lead you to a declaration or undertaking. If you agree to the undertaking mentioned above, click on ‘I Agree’. As soon as you click on I Agree, you will be lead to the same series of yes-no questions that you faced in the pre-check. Answer them accurately and click on Proceed. Once you do so, three options will come in front of you- Central, State and Registration. Click on the one that you desire to procure a license of.
Step 3: Register as a Member
When you choose the type of license you require to apply for, a login menu will pop-up. You will need to register as a new member if you do not have the login credentials. While registering, they require some basic details like name, company, address, contact details etc. Agree to the terms of the FLRS, enter the captcha in the space given below and you are good to go!
Note: After having successfully signed-in, you must receive a confirmation via email and SMS
Also see, that this registration is only valid for up to 30 days. Therefore, within 30 days you are required to finish the entire process of registration. Else, you might have to re-do the entire process over again.
Step 4: Sign in and Fill out the Application
After getting your login credentials, sign in to the portal and fill out the application form with all the relevant details. Double-check the details before clicking on ‘Submit’. Also, take out a print of the application form for future reference. Please see that every application form has a reference number, you might want to keep that saved as well.
Step 5: Final Submission and Documents Required
Take the print out of the form to the regional authority of FSSAI within 15 days of the online registration. It will be considered and processed thereafter. It requires you to submit some fee, different for state and central licensing. Along with the application form, the authority requires you to submit the following documents as proof:
- Government-issued Identity Proof and Address Proof.
- List of Board of Directors and other stakeholders in the business with their individual identity proof.
- Valid Email ID and Contact Number
- Notarized Food Safety Management Plan
- Sale Deed, Rent Agreement or Electricity Bill to proof the possession over the premise in question.
- NOCs from Municipal Corporations or local bodies.
- Kitchen Layout Plan, Water Testing Report (ISI approved)
- List of Food Category, types of equipment to be used, etc.
- Please see that the authority might require you to submit some other documents as well, it is well up to the discretion of the authority seated.
To conclude, the process of FSSAI registration happens in five easy steps. First, an account is made. Then the type of registration chosen based on the business. Thirdly all documents are submitted, followed by the required payment. Finally, the fourteen-digit license number is allotted to the company as their FSSAI registration!
Also, Read: Why is there a need for FSSAI Registration?
