FSSAI Registration in India

Every food business operator involved in the manufacturing, processing, storage distribution and sale of food products must compulsorily obtain FSSAI Registration or License.

FSSAI Registration is different from the FSSAI License in the sense that depending on the size and nature of the business, FBO should obtain the necessary registration or license.

It is a 14-digit registration or a license number that is printed on all the food packages. The 14 digit registration number gives details about the assembling state, producer’s permit. This registration procedure is aimed to create more accountability on the FBO to maintain the quality of the food products. The licensing and registration procedure and requirements are regulated by Food Safety & Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Business) Regulations, 2011.
Food Business Operators (FBOs) Who Require FSSAI Registration

The FBOs carrying on the following kinds of business are mandatorily required to obtain an FSSAI Registration/License:
Petty retailers and retail shops such as Retail Shop, Snacks shop, Confectionery or Bakery Shop, etc.
Temporary stalls or fixed stall or food premise involved in the preparation, distribution, storage and sale of food products such as Gol Gappa stall, chat stall, fruits/vegetable vendors, Tea Stall, snacks stall, Bread pakoda stall, Samosa stall, Chinese food stall, South Indian food stall, sweet stall, juice shops, etc.
Hawkers who sell packaged or freshly prepared food by travelling (usually on foot or movable carts) from one location to another.
Dairy Units including Milk Chilling Units, Petty Milkman and Milk Vendors.
Vegetable Oil Processing Units.
Slaughtering houses such as meat shops, mutton shops, chicken shops, lamb meat, etc.
Meat Processing and Fish Processing units.
All Food Manufacturing/ Processing units that include Repacking of food.
Proprietary food and Novel food.
Cold/refrigerated storage facility.
Transporter of food products having a number of specialised vehicles like insulated refrigerated van/wagon, milk tankers, food wagons, food trucks, etc.
Wholesaler, supplier, distributor and marketer of food products.
Hotels, Restaurants and Bars.
Canteens and Cafeteria including mid-day meal canteens.
Food Vending Agencies and Caterer.
Dhaba, PG providing food, Banquet halls with food catering arrangements, Home Based Canteens and Food stalls in fairs or religious institutions.
Importers and Exporters of food items including food ingredients.
E-Commerce food suppliers including cloud kitchens.

The type of FSSAI license/registration required by each of the kinds of the above-mentioned businesses depends on their eligibility criteria. The eligibility criteria for each kind of business and type of license/registration is provided on the FSSAI.
Types of FSSAI Registration

FSSAI registration is based on the business types, turnover and capacity of production. Depending upon the installed capacity and turnover, FBOs are eligible for license such as basic license, central license, and state license.
FSSAI Basic Registration – FBOs having a turnover of less than Rs.12 lakh p.a must obtain FSSAI basic registration. The FSSAI registration form that the applicant has to fill to obtain FSSAI basic registration is Form A.
FSSAI State License – FBOs having a turnover of more than Rs.12 lakh p.a and less than Rs.20 crore p.a must obtain the FSSAI state license. The FSSAI registration form that the applicant has to fill to obtain an FSSAI state license is Form B.
FSSAI Central License – FBOs having a turnover of more than Rs.20 crore p.a must obtain the FSSAI central license. The FSSAI registration form that the applicant has to fill to obtain FSSAI central license is Form- B.
Procedure for Obtaining FSSAI Registration Online
FBOs can obtain FSSAI registration online by filling and submitting the FSSAI registration form, i.e. Form A (application for Registration) or Form B (application for State and Central License) on the FoSCoS portal. The FBOs can also register offline by submitting Form A or Form B to the Food and Safety Department.
The FSSAI registration form must be accompanied by the required documents. The documents must be uploaded online on the FoSCos portal at the time of filling the application or submitted to the Food and Safety Department along with the application physically.
The FSSAI registration form can be accepted or it may be rejected by the Department within 7 days from the date of receipt of an application either physically or online through the FoSCoS portal. If the application is rejected it has to be intimated to the applicant in writing.
The Department will scrutinise the documents submitted.
The Department may conduct an inspection of the food premises, before granting the FSSAI registration certificate, if necessary.
If the Department is satisfied that the FBO meets all the required criteria, then it will grant an FSSAI registration certificate with the registration number and the photo of the applicant email ID. The applicant can also download the FSSAI registration certificate by logging into the FoSCoS portal.
FBO should prominently display the certificate of FSSAI registration at the place of business during business hours.
FSSAI Registration Eligibility

FSSAI Registration is a basic license and it is required for all the FBOs involved in the small-scale food business. This category covers the following businesses:
Any FBO with an annual turnover of not more than Rs. 12 lakh.
Petty retailer dealing in food products.
Any person who manufactures or sells any food article by himself.
Food sale is done by the temporary stall holder.
Any individual who distributes food in any religious or social gathering except a caterer.
Small-scale or cottage industries dealing in the food business and the following:

Sl.No Business Capacity
1 Food production capacity (other than milk and meat) Up to 100 kg/ltr per day
2 Procurement, handling and collection of milk Up to 500 ltr per day
3 Slaughtering capacity 2 large animals or 10 small animals or 50 poultry birds per day or less

FSSAI License Eligibility

For all other FBOs apart from small-scale businesses, the FSSAI license has to be obtained. FSSAI License can be classified into two categories i.e. State FSSAI License and Central FSSAI License based on the size of the business whether it is a medium scale or large scale business.

Generally, FBOs who are large manufacturers, importers, exporters dealing in large-scale food businesses need to obtain FSSAI registration from the central government and FBO with small to medium-sized manufacturing units, transporters, marketers, traders, etc., need to take FSSAI registration from the state government. To apply for State License the FBO must have a turnover between Rs 12 lakh to Rs 20 crore.

Other conditions include manufacturing units having a capacity of 2MT per day, dairy units handling business up to 5000 litres per day. 3-star hotels and above, repackers, relabelling units, clubs, canteens all catering businesses irrespective of their turnover need to apply for the license. The tenure of the license issued is a maximum of 5 years and a minimum of 1 year.

To apply for a central license the FBO must have a turnover exceeding Rs. 20 crores and needs to have operations in two or more states. All importers and exporters need to apply for this license. The maximum tenure is 5 years and the minimum is 1 year.
Documents Required For Obtaining the FSSAI Registration/License

The following documents are required to obtain FSSAI basic registration, FSSAI state license and FSSAI central license:
Photo identity proof of the food business operators.
Business constitution certificate, i.e. partnership deed, certificate of incorporation, shop and establishment licence or other business registration certificate.
Proof of possession of business premises, i.e. rental agreement, NOC from the owner of the rented premises, utility bills etc.
Food safety management system plan.
List of food products manufactured or processed.
Bank account information.
Supporting documents (if required) like NOC by Municipality or Panchayat, Health NOC, copy of License from the manufacturer, etc.

Apart from the above-mentioned general documents, certain specific documents are required for obtaining the FSSAI state license and FSSAI central license. The specific documents required to obtain the FSSAI state license are:
Form B duly completed and signed
Plan of the processing unit showing the dimensions and operation-wise area allocation
List of Directors/ Partners/ Proprietor with address, contact details, and photo ID
Name and list of equipment and machinery used with the number and installed capacity
Authority letter from manufacturer nominated a responsible person name and address
Analysis report of water to be used in the process to confirm the portability
Copy of certificate obtained under Coop Act 1861/Multi-State Coop Act 2002

Apart from the general license, the following specific documents are required to obtain FSSAI central license:

Form B duly completed and signed
Plan of the processing unit showing the dimensions and operation-wise area allocation
List of Directors/ Partners/ Proprietor with address, contact details, and photo ID
Name and list of equipment and machinery used with the number and installed capacity
Authority letter from manufacturer nominated a responsible person name and address
Analysis report of water to be used in the process to confirm the portability
Source of raw material for milk, meat etc
Recall plan wherever applicable
Ministry of Commerce Certificate for 100% EOU
NOC/PA document issued by FSSAI
IE code document issued by DGFT
Form IX
Certificate from Ministry of Tourism
Supporting document for proof of turnover and transportation
Declaration form
FSSAI Registration Fees

The applicant/FBO needs to pay the fees while submitting the FSSAI registration form. The FSSAI registration fee for different types of registration are as follows:
FSSAI Basic Registration – Fee of Rs.100
FSSAI State License – Fee between Rs.2,500 to Rs.5,000 (Depends on the type of business carried out)
FSSAI Central License – Fee of Rs.7,500