A food
license is one of the keys and
mandatory registrations that need to be procured by all kinds of food business
operator (FBO) in India. An FBO is
defined as any kind of public or private business entity that is involved in
any stage of manufacturing, packaging, processing, storing, transporting,
distributing, importing, selling of food services or raw materials, marketing, retailing
etc.s
Why Food
License?
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of
India) is the apex body that certifies an entity with the Food safety license. The FSSAI was set up in accordance with the
Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The primary objective of the organization is to ensure the availability of
safe and wholesome food that is meant for consumption by human beings. The
license is also an effective method to make FBOs accountable and responsible
for the food quality. Other than safety, the FSSAI also is entrusted with the
task of overseeing that sub-standard food is not sold in the country and that
all articles of food available for consumption are
free from adulteration.
The penalty of operating any of the above-mentioned business without the food
license is enough to attract punishment including imprisonment of up to six months and payment of fine up to Rs. 10 lakh.
Types of FSSAI
Food License
Depending upon the annual turnover of the
business entity and/or size of the operations of the entity, the following types
of license are given:-
1.
Central
license – EOUs, all importers, entities with an annual
turnover of more than Rs. 20 crores, FBOs with operations in more than one
state, manufacturers with large-scale
operations, for example, a meat processing unit with more than 500 kg meat
every day or 150 MT per annum.
2.
State
license – is applicable for a business
that has annual turnover more than Rs. 12
lakh but less than Rs. 20 crore, medium-sized
manufacturing units like a meat processing unit with a capacity to process up to 500 kg meat every day or 150 MT per annum.
3.
FSSAI
registration is meant for smaller scale business that has less than Rs. 12 lakh turnover in a year. For example, a
slaughtering house that slaughters 2 or less than 2 large animals or 10 or less
than 10 small animals or up to 50 poultry
birds every day are eligible for the basic registration.
4.
Railway
license applicable for Konkan Railways
All the above types of FSSAI license
have a maximum validity of five years and
minimum validity of one year.
Procedure for obtaining Food Safety License in India
1.
In order
to apply for the Central food safety
license and the state food license
Form, B needs to be filled up. For the
basic FSSAI registration, Form-A needs to be filed.
2.
In order
to obtain the basic registration and state license, the food license application needs to be made to the regional FSSAI
office of the state government where the operation is based. The Central
license needs to be obtained from the central government.
3.
The
documents that are required differ for all the three types. The common documents
required are –
·
Detailed
list of partners, promoters, members with contact details
·
List of equipment and machinery, the capacity and the horsepower being used.
·
Government
Identity and address proof of the directors, proprietors, partners
·
A complete list of
all food categories being manufactured
·
Ownership
proof of the premises.
·
Rental
agreement and NOC from the owner in case
of rented property.
·
Utility
bills
·
Certificate
of Incorporation, Memorandum and Articles of Association, Partnership Deed.
For Food license online, the FBO needs to
register at the Food Licensing & Registration System (FLRS). After
registration, the operator needs to log in,
fill up the requisite Form online, upload the documents required and make the
payment.
The concerned authorities will review
all documents and the application form. If satisfied the relevant license is
issued. The FSSAI license is a 14-digit number that needs to be printed on the
packaging at all times.
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