How to Start a FSSAI Central License

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An Overview of FSSAI Central License

FSSAI or the Food Standard and Safety of India is the regulatory body responsible for regulating food security in India. All Food Business Operators (FBOs) in India must get the FSSAI Licence. It ensures that food products or items are subjected to quality checks, lessening food adulteration and the sale of substandard products. In the case of the FSSAI Central License, this license is granted to the FBOs who are operating their food business on a large scale or have an annual turnover of more than Rs. 20 crores.

Why is it necessary to obtain FSSAI Central License?

  • FSSAI licence helps monitor the food license of FBOs on a regular and random basis. Thus, takes strict actions against such businesses whose licenses either have expired or such businesses that do not have the same.
  • In order to gain the trust of the public as well as the consumers regarding the safety and quality of food, it has been made mandatory to get the FSSAI License.
  • Thus, it can be stated that licensing is an important factor in order to gain public trust.
  • Helps in the promotion of change in food products.
  • In order to keep the trust of consumers, FBOs must print the 14-digit FSSAI License number on their respective food packages.
  • FSSAI Central License helps in promoting trade without compromising consumer protection.
  • This Licence guarantees the food products undergo various quality checks thus, by reducing the food adulteration along with the sale of sub-standard products.

Eligibility Criteria for FSSAI Central License

Types of Business

Criteria

Dairy Units, including Milk Chilling Units

More than 50,000 ltr of milk/day.

More than 2500 MT of milk solid/annum.

Vegetable oil processing units

More than 2 MT per day

Slaughtering House

·         Large Animals: More than 50 small animals

·         Small Animals: More than  150

·         Poultry Birds: More than 100

Meat Processing

More than 500kg meat per day or up to 150 MT Meat per annum

All Food Manufacturing or Processing units other than Dairy Units, Vegetable oil, Meat Processing & Slaughtering Houses

Production Capacity - More than 2 MT/day

Substances added to food

Production Capacity: up to 2 MT per day

Storage – Cold or Refrigerated

Storage Capacity of More than 10,000 MT

Storage – Atmospheric Controlled + Cold Controlled Atmosphere

Storage capacity of more than 1,000 MT

Storage without atmospheric control + cold

Storage capacity of more than 50,000 MT

Transporter

More than 100 vehicles and a turnover of more than Rs. 30 crores per annum

Wholesaler

Turnover of more than Rs. 30 crores/annum

Distributor

Turnover of more than Rs. 20 crores per annum

Retailer

Turnover of more than Rs. 20 crores per annum

Hotel

Five stars and above

Restaurants

Turnover of more than Rs. 20 crores per annum

Caterer

Turnover of more than Rs. 20 crores per annum

Food Vending Agencies

More than 100 vending machines and/or located in 2 or more States or UTs

Importers

Importing any type of food item with no limit on the capacity

Food business activities at premises of Central Government Agencies

No limit on capacity or turnover

Departmental canteens at the premises of Central Government institutions

Turnover of more than Rs. 12 lakhs per annum

Food business activities at premises of Seaport or Airport

No limit on capacity or turnover

 

Documents Required for FSSAI Central License

Following are some vital documents required for FSSAI Central License:

  • Identity proof;
  • Address proof;
  • Filled and duly signed Form-B;
  • Rent Agreement;
  • In case the office is rented No Objection Certificate or NOC is required;
  • In case of a manufacturer, details of the food categories must be submitted;
  • A copy of the Certificate as obtained under the Coop Act, 1861;
  • A Certificate of Incorporation must be provided in case of the company;
  • In the case of manufacturing & processing units, layouts or blueprints of these units, along with the dimensions as well as areas allotted for the operations of manufacturing and processing, must be submitted.
  • NOC to be submitted from the Municipal Corporation body or any local body,
  • A copy of the Certificate to be submitted is obtained from the Ministry of Tourism (HRACC) (only for hotels);
  • Any source in relation to Meat and Milk (if applicable);
  • Form IX to be submitted;
  • FSSAI Declaration Form to be submitted;
  • No Objection Certificate document issued by FSSAI to be submitted;
  • Supporting documents as a proof of business turnover;
  • Certificate obtained from Ministry of Commerce;
  • Import Export Code document issued by DGFT in case of importers and exporters.

Procedure for FSSAI Central License

Step 1: Filing Application: First, the applicant needs to file a Form-B application with the licensing authority; while filing the application, the applicant must know the basic turnover criteria.

Step 2: Submission: Once the application is submitted, the application accompanied by requested documents will be sent to the concerned officials for an in-depth examination.

Step 3: On-Site Inspection: The FSSAI will send the officials to the business place to determine the level of compliance recommended by FDDAI. Any non-conformity in this regard could increase the chances of application cancellation.

Step 4: Issuance of Certificate: Once the licensing authority approves the application for the FSSAI Central License, the Certificate will be issued to the applicant and after getting the same, the business owner can commence their business operation.

Validity of Central FSSAI License

The validity of the Central FSSAI license is for a time period extending from one to five years. Any specific food business can choose between these periods in order to obtain the central license. However, this Central FASSI license expires after the specified time period. After the expiration of the Central FASSI licence, it can once again be renewed. It is up to the different FBOs whether they want to renew the Licence and continue with it or not. Also know the different types of FSSAI Licenses. Moreover, in case of continuation of business, the renewal of Licence is deemed to be necessary.

Renewal of FSSAI Central Licence

Now, once the business owner has applied for the FSSAI Central License and completed their validity time, there will be a requirement for renewal of the Central FSSAI License once the registration of it gets expires.

Following is the process which must be followed in order to renew FSSAI Central licence:

  • Before filing for renewal of FSSAI license, Form B must be filled in detail along with the self-attested declaration and a photo identity proof or Aadhar card, Voter ID or driving license.
  • Once the form is filled and submitted, the authorities will further check and confirm the details and follow up with an inspection in order to ensure the authenticity of the documents and the details provided therein.
  • After completing the investigation process, the Central FSSAI License will be issued within the time period of 30-60 days.

Why Swarit Advisors?

  • A thorough search for FSSAI Central License is conducted by us.
  • We help in the preparation of the letter along with the Form required for the filing in order to obtain a Central FSSAI License on the applicant's behalf.
  • We advise you regarding the different categories of Licences which can be granted to any business owner and where to apply for any particular licence.
  • We provide help with the filing of forms.
  • We are in continuous contact with the applicant along with the updates till the time licence is not granted to the applicant.

FAQs of FSSAI Central License

Yes, an individual can apply offline for obtaining FSSAI License in India.

The term “Central FSSAI License” denotes registration for those FBOs which have an annual turnover above Rs 20 crore.

The applicant needs to fill Form B to obtain Central FSSAI License.

The Registration Fee for obtaining the Central FSSAI License is Rs 7500.

There are a lot of documents required for obtaining a FSSAI Central License. However, the primary document is duly signed Form B.

The Central FSSAI License is required by those FBOs that are working on a large scale and have a turnover of more than Rs 20 crores.

Yes, it is mandatory for the Exporters to obtain Central FSSAI License.

The major difference between an FSSAI Registration and FSSAI License is that the former is mandatory for only those FBOs, which are having an Annual Turnover of Rs 12 lacs or more and latter can be obtained by any FBO.

Yes, you need to obtain an FSSAI registration, if your business is on a small-scale level and is having a turnover up to Rs 12 lakh.

All the FBOs dealing in the petty food business and have their turnover up to Rs 12 lakh needs to file Form A to obtain FSSAI Registration.

FSSAI has the authority to set standards and prescribe rules and regulations for FBOs.

A FSSAI License remains valid for a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 5 years. Further, it needs to be renewed at least 30 days before expiry.

Yes, all the Food Business Operators, including the medical stores, need to obtain FSSAI Registration/ License.

Yes, any person who wants to import or export from India needs to Central FSSAI License after acquiring IEC Code.

In India, the nature and the annual turnover of a business act as the key difference between the State FSSAI License and Central FSSAI License.

Yes, one needs to obtain a Central FSSAI License for importing food items in India. The address for the license will be the address mentioned in the IEC Code (Import Export Code).

An individual can check the FSSAI License Number by visiting the official website.

Why Swarit Advisor?

Why Swarit Advisor
Swarit Advisors Private Limited

Ahmad

From Chennai Recently Purchased @Insurance Broker License