OVERVIEW

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is responsible for monitoring and regulating food-related businesses in India. This organization was created to safeguard the hygiene and safety of food items by decreasing the practice of food adulteration and the sale of low-quality products.Food firms that engage in operations such as manufacturing, storage, distribution, and retailing food goods must get a Central Food License. FSSAI Licenses are issued as either a state license or a central license, depending on the nature of the activities carried out by the food industry.

It establishes the qualifying requirements for food businesses that are under the jurisdiction of the Central Licensing Authority. If a food company operator is dealing with several types of businesses with varied eligibilities in a same location, the food business operator might choose a single highest license for all of the businesses based on the eligibility criteria.The authority issues a Food License to a company that is involved in operations involving food or related items for human consumption and establishes the rules and regulations that must be followed by food business operators in India. In India, there are two types of FSSAI licenses: State FSSAI Licenses and Central FSSAI Licenses.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR CENTRAL FSSAI LICENSE REGISTERTAION

• Dairy Units producing milk unit of 50000 litres or 2500 megaton milk solid yearly
• Processing Units that produce 2MT of vegetable oil daily
• Slaughter unit with the daily capacity of:

1. 50 large animals
2. 150 small animals
3. 1000 poultry birds

• Meat processing unit with a capacity of 50 KG or 150 megatons daily
• Food processing unit with a daily capacity of 2 megaton
• Export-oriented units
• Units are having a cold storage or refrigerator facility with a storage capacity of 10000 megatons or more.
• Wholesalers engaged in food business having an annual turnover exceeding INR 30 Crore.
• Retailers and distributor engaged in food business having an annual turnover exceeding INR 20 Crore.
• A business engaged in the activities of catering, food serving in restaurants or food marketing with an annual turnover of INR 20 Crore or more.
• Food Catering Services in establishments and units under Central Government Agencies like Defence, etc
• Storage, wholesaler, retailer, distributor – Premises in Central Government Agencies
• Food Catering Services in Establishments and units under Central Government Agencies Like and Airport, seaport, etc (Storage, Wholesaler, retailer, distributor premised at seaport locations)

GOVERNMENT FEE FOR CENTRAL FSSAI LICENSE

The Food Business Operator will make payment via internet transfer. Any licence money paid by an applicant will not be refunded under any circumstances. The fee schedules are provided by Below-

1. INR 7500 for a new application
2. INR 7500 for licence renewal
3. INR 7500 for modifying or amending an existing licence.
4. The charge for issuing a duplicate licence is 10% of the original fee.

ADVANTAGES OF CENTRAL FSSAI LICENSE 

1. Recognition within market
2. Enhances Credibility within consumers
3. Ensures Business growth
4. Guarantees Food Safety through Government Documentation

DOCUMENTS REQUIRES FOR CENTRAL FSSAI LICENSE

• Duly filled and signed form B of FSSAI regulations
• Plan the layout of the premise with complete measurements of the manufacturing and operational unit.
• In case the applicant is a company: a complete list of directors such as name, address proof, contact details along with a copy of MOA, AOA & COI are necessary.
• In case the applicant is a partnership firm: a complete list of all the partners such as name, address proof, contact details, etc. along with a copy of partnership deed is necessary.
• In case the applicant is a co-operative society: a complete list of all the members such as name, address proof, contact details, etc. are necessary.
• If the applicant for a license is a registered trust: a copy of trust deed and record of trustees is required
• Address proof of premise is required, which can be any one of the following documents:

1. Electricity bill
2. Rent agreement
3. Registry of the premise, etc

• Food safety management plan or similar system in place
• Name and List of Equipment’s and Machinery along
• Source of milk, raw materials, and other food products along with its location.
• NOC by the municipality or local authorities.
• If the applicant runs a hotel and the central license is obtained for the same, tourism certificate issued by the ministry of tourism shall be compulsorily attached.
• IE code document issued by DGFT (If any)