207 week ago — 8 min read
If you’re planning to start a food retail business in India, the most important license is the one from the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI), Ministry of Family Health and Welfare, Government of India. Indeed, the FSSAI provides licenses for the safety and standardisation of food products manufactured and sold in India. However, without one, no legitimate wholesaler or retailer would stock your products.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is responsible for maintaining the standard of food delivered by the food industry of India. The Food Business Operators (FBO) need to abide by the rules and regulations set by the FSSAI. Every FBO should have a valid food license issued by FSSAI to execute their business in India. Any FBO that fails to show its FSSAI License document at the time of inspection will be penalized, and this may also lead to shutting down of the business. While applying for the FSSAI food license, one needs certain documents, and the process can be completed easily via the official website of FSSAI.
Also read: Want to sell food online in India? Legal requirements you need to know
FSSAI License can be further classified into two sections: FSSAI state license and FSSAI central license.
FSSAI food license is required for operating food businesses in the Indian Railways and Konkan Railways as well.
The following documents are required for the Food licensing FSSAI through the FSSAI portal.
Apart from the above documents, the FBO may have to produce some documents specific to the kind of business he undertakes. You may check the specific document requirements on the official website of FSSAI.
FBOs must undergo food licensing online through the Food Licensing and Registration System (FLRS) designed on the official FSSAI portal. The FBOs can complete the food licensing process through the following simple steps.
The whole procedure takes 15-20 days for the FSSAI state license while the issuance of the FSSAI central license may take up to 30-45 days. The FBOs can check the status of the application by entering the food licensing login number in the “Track Application Status” section on the official website of FSSAI.
The charges for FSSAI Central license and FSSAI State license along with the charges for the FSSAI license of Indian and Konkan Railways have been given below.
FSSAI Central licenses can be issued or renewed for a maximum of 5 years.
Holding an FSSAI license is mandatory, and therefore, any Food Business Operator operating without an FSSAI license can be penalized. Under the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006, FBOs can be charged from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh and can even be sent to prison. The penalty and punishment are decided based on their offences. The FSSAI can cancel the license and shut down the business as well.
Food Business Operators must apply for an FSSAI food license and renew it timely. It will help the FBOs to fulfil the statutory requirement as well as to avail additional benefits. FBOs selling products containing the logo of FSSAI become trustworthy to the public as the quality check done by FSSAI has approved their products. FBOs with FSSAI licenses get the opportunity of expanding business and can avail loans and funds for the same purpose. FBOs can either opt for food licensing online or can take help from an online consultant. Food license online consultants can help in applying for the license and also in renewing the license.
Also read: Legal requirements for starting an organic food business
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