Is it Mandatory to take Food License for Schools and Colleges Canteen?

In India, most of the schools and colleges have their canteen, and many students are broadly dependent on these canteens to have food. So it is mandatory to obtain food license for Schools and Colleges canteen to meet legal requirements. It is also significant to follow all the standards for food provided in school and college canteens.

FSSAI is a food regulatory body which contains food license for the different kinds of categories of various food products in India. The FSSAI provides food license for schools and colleges canteen, and these canteens come within the definition of the food business in India. To functionally operate in India, it is compulsory to have FSSAI License for all the businesses which comes under the category of food business in Section 3 (1) (n) of the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006. Scroll down to check more information regarding Food License for Schools and Colleges Canteen.

Essential Points to be followed by Schools and Colleges Canteen

Following are some vital points that should be followed by schools and colleges canteen who holds FSSAI License:

• No Consumption of High Sugar, Fat and Salt: Foods are having high in sugar, salt, and fat are strictly prohibited or banned, and such food cannot be sold to college and school students in canteen or mess or hostels or within 50 meters of the school campus area.
• Follow the NIN Rules: As per the NIN rules or guidelines, the NIN ((National Institute of Nutrition School Authority) has to encourage balanced diet consumption in schools and colleges.
• Section 4 of Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2011: The food business operator is compulsory to attain an FSSAI Registration/License as appropriate to them. They must fulfil all the requirements of hygienic and sanitary practices to the foodservice institutions.
• Balanced Diet should be provided: As per the Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2011, the schools and colleges must have to promote safe and healthy food diets amongst school and college students. To convert college canteen/school canteen into Eat Right School where the primary aim is to provide safe, nutritious & hygienic food and no food waste as per the specified benchmarks.
• Appoint a Nutritionists: It is mandatory to appoint a Nutritionists and Dietitians attached to the school/college authority to support them regularly in preparing meals of school or college students.
• Encourage Healthy Food: In India, all the food business operators should promote healthy foods in schools and colleges, and they should not target a market within a school to sell or sell low diet food anywhere on the school or college campus in the form of a poster, names, logos, etc.
• Scrutiny: There should be scrutiny of colleges or schools regularly, to make sure that healthy, safety and hygienic food is served to students.
• Follow Guidelines by Food Authority: As per the direction, the Authority of School or College must make sure that the food business operators who are supplying or preparing foods within the colleges or schools follow all the guidelines issued by Food Authority.
• State-level Committee to be formed: The school must create a committee by the State Level Advisory Committee to supervise the implementation of food regulation and ensure the availability of safe and healthy food to school children.

Also, Read: What are the Tips to Avoid Delay in Food License?

What are the Vital Documents Required for Food License for Schools and Colleges Canteen in India?

Following are some essential documents required for the registration of the canteen owner in college or school are required to submit, to obtain Food License for Schools and Colleges Canteen in India:

• Address proof.
• FSSAI Registration Number.
• Submit a copy of identity proof of the owner such as Aadhar Card, Driving License, Voter’s Id, PAN Card, Passport, etc.
• Submit a copy of Incorporation Certificate.
• A detailed list of all the categories of food.
• Submit a copy of Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Articles of Association (AOA).
• A detailed list of all the proposed directors or partners.
• Central License or State License.
• Submit the latest passport size photograph of the owner.
• Submit a NOC or No Objection Certificate from the local authority, but in this case, you need to submit NOC from school/college.

Registration Procedure to obtain Food License for Schools and Colleges Canteen

There are three different categories of FSSAI Registration procedure to obtain a Food License for Schools and Colleges Canteen in India, and you can check the same below:

Basic FSSAI Registration for Canteen

• Basic FSSAI Registration is only for those canteens whose annual turnover is not more than or up to Rs. 12 lakh and they are eligible to obtain food license for schools and colleges canteen under FSSAI License.
• These are a small and medium-sized business.
• FSSAI Certificate is issued to such businesses who get the business an audit and inspection conducted by a Food Safety Inspector or Officer.

FSSAI State License for Canteen

• This License is only for those canteens whose annual turnover is more than Rs. 12 lakh and up to Rs. 20 crores.
• FSSAI Certificate is issued to businesses who get the business an audit and inspection conducted by a Food Safety Inspector or Officer.
• They are eligible to State FSSAI/Food License for Schools and colleges canteen under the State Authority.

FSSAI Central License for Canteen

• This License is only for those canteens whose annual turnover is more than Rs. 20 crores.
• Food Business Operators (FBOs) have got inspected or examined and audited by the Food Safety Officer.
• They can operate their business at PAN India level.
• They are eligible for Central FSSAI Food License for schools and colleges canteens under Central Authority.

Conclusion

From above, it is concluded that today the school or college students are totally dependent over the food in the schools and colleges canteens. To operate these businesses, the food business operator must obtain a food license for schools and colleges canteen, and it is vital to maintain hygiene and health over food quality. This FSSAI License is the authenticity proof over their product sold.

Also, Read: Does FSSAI Approve Artificial Sweeteners? – Overview