Requirement for Food License in India

Food business operators in India are governed by the FSSAI act 2006. This act basically the consolidation of various acts and orders issued with regard to Food-related issues by various Departments. It regulates everything related to food, starting from procurement, manufacturing, storage, distribution, sale, and import. It ensures that only good edible food reaches the customer. In this article we will discuss Food License Requirement.

A 14 digit Food license number under FSSAI is issued, which has its reporting to the Ministry of Health and family welfare. FSSAI is must so as to maintain the standard of food quality. The FSSAI issues food license after conducting a due inspection, under inspection food products undergo certain quality checks, hence shall result in lesser instances of adulteration, substandard products and also improve accountability of manufacturers.

Under FSSAI regulation it stimulates and regulates the following:

1. Adherence to the Standards and guidelines for enforcing the various standards for food.
2. It regulates and lays the procedure for the accreditation of certification bodies engaged in food regulation.
3. It regulates the procedure and functioning of the various laboratory established for food check.
4. It is also engaged in providing the scientific and technical support the government while framing the policies.
5. The advertisement is also done by it.
6. Collection of relevant data and warning for emerging risks is also done by FSSAI Authority.
7. It promotes, provides necessary training as and when required. 

FSSAI registration or License Types:

Note that the FSSAI license is also required in cases where the supply is done at the government offices or import/export of food products.

Documents Requirements:

Documents required for those having turnover below 12 lacs is as follows: (BASIC REGISTRATION)

• Aadhaar card of the Business owner or such owner of the business.
• Signature (in the scan)
• A scan of Photographs.
• Business activity.
• Declaration about the Business place.

Documents required for those having a turnover between 12 lacs to 20 Crore is as follows: (FSSAI STATE License)

• Declaration Form.
• Aadhar card of the Business owner.
• Signature (in the scan)
• A scan of Photographs.
• MOA/AOA / Partnership deed (As the case may be).
• In the Transporter case RC of vehicles along with a declaration.
• NOC from Brand owner in case you are doing re-packaging business.
• Company GST Number
• Detail about the business activity & List of food products.
• An authority letter in the favor of the consultant.
• Rent agreement and NOC from the Property owner (if rented place).
• Electricity bills of business / Factory / Warehouse

For Manufacturers:

• List of Food products proposed to be manufactured.
• Water Ground report
• Product Testing report s
• Factory blueprint.
• List of Machine along with photographs

Documents required for those having a turnover above 20 Crore is as follows: (STATE License)- Additional documents apart from above

• The audited balance sheet is also required.
• IEC Code in case FSSAI license is for Export / Import.

Procedure:

1. The required site for filing application is https://foodlicensing.fssai.gov.in/index.aspx.
2. Fill in the Form A and make the payment for FSSAI application at the FBO nearby your locality.
3. Thereafter proceed for Form B with the government.
4. The form shall be scrutinized and in case of query, the same shall be intimated to you, make sure that you reply within 15 days of such receipt. Otherwise, the license shall be granted. 

Do’s

The brand owner is required to display the FSSAI logo along with the license number on the label of the food package.

Also, the importer shall display the FSSAI logo and license number along with the name and address of the importer on a sticker and is also required to affixes before customs clearance.

The expert team of Swarit Advisors will help you and provide end to end solution with regard to Food license.