In the last few years, more and more food companies have come up and it is estimated that the market is going to double in a decade [Source].
With more such companies coming up, entrepreneurs in the food space want to know how to get the FSSAI certificate for their startup.
Before opening a restaurant, cafe, or a food processing unit, you have to get certified by FSSAI. It checks the hygiene of your kitchen and staff members as well as the general cleanliness of the restaurant or factory, among other things.
If you are also opening a food business in India and are trying to understand how to get an FSSAI licence for your restaurant, this is the right resource for you.
What is FSSAI?
FSSAI stands for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. It is established under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to monitor and govern all the food businesses in India.
FSSAI was established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 to ensure that every eatery, food production, and storage company in the country adheres to safety and hygiene standards.
What is the role of FSSAI?
FSSAI inspects the physical premises of the food company and provides them with the certificate. It takes note of the following food safety standards for giving the certificate:
- Hygiene of employees
- Treatment of food
- Food serving area
- Pest control
- Sanitation
- Everyday cleaning of the premises
- Fire escape route
During their preliminary checks, FSSAI inspects if the kitchen and dining area are clean. It takes a special cognizance of the hygiene and cleanliness of the cooking and serving staff.
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Besides this, it also takes a close look at the fire safety equipment and the width of the alternative exit route for emergency situations.
What is the difference between FSSAI registration and licence?
It is important to know that FSSAI registration is different from a licence. Whether you need to get a licence or registration depends on the type of food startup you plan to start.
You can find the criteria and pricing for registration and getting the licence on the FSSAI website.
FSSAI Registration | FSSAI Licence |
| A basic registration process is needed | Need to get the licence either from FSSAI Central authority or FSSAI State authority depending on the size of the business |
| FSSAI registration is needed for businesses that earn a revenue of less than or equal to Rs 12 lakh | FSSAI licence is needed for businesses that earn a revenue of more than Rs 12 lakh |
| The validity of the registration depends on the application type | Valid for at least one year and a maximum of five years |
Food manufacturers that have large factories in more than one city are required to apply for an FSSAI licence from the central government. Those with small to medium-sized manufacturing units, need to take FSSAI registration from the state government.
Who requires an FSSAI registration?
The food business sector is quite varied and covers the smallest to the largest and poshest businesses. Not all Food Business Operators (FBOs) require approval from FSSAI. Here is a list of FBOs who need to get an FSSAI licence:
- Neighbourhood snacks shop, confectionery, and bakery shop
- Temporary or fixed food stalls that sell and/or prepare food items
- Hawkers who sell packaged or freshly prepared food
- Dairy units and milk vendors
- Vegetable oil processing units
- Slaughtering houses
- Meat and fish processing units
- All food manufacturing or processing units, including repacking of food
- Proprietary and novel food manufacturing units
- Cold/refrigerated storage facilities
- Food trucks, specialised vehicles like cold storage vans, milk tankers, etc.
- Wholesalers, suppliers, distributors, and marketers of food products
- Hotels, cafes, restaurants, and bars
- Canteens (including in PGs), cafeterias, and mid-day meal canteens.
- Food vending agencies and caterers
- Dhabas on the highway, banquet halls with food catering arrangements, home canteens, and food stalls in fairs or religious institutions
- Importers and exporters of food items including food ingredients
- Online food delivery companies including cloud kitchens.
What documents are required to get FSSAI certificate?
You can find the whole list of documents required to complete the registration process with FSSAI from this link. For easy access, here are the documents needed for FSSAI registration:
- Photo identity proof of FBOs
- Partnership deed, certificate of incorporation, shop and establishment licence, or other business registration certificate
- Rental agreement, NOC from the owner of the rented premises, utility bills, etc.
- Food safety management system plan
- List of food products manufactured or processed
- Bank account information
- Supporting documents (if required) like NOC by Municipality or Panchayat, Health NOC, copy of Licence from the manufacturer, etc.
If your food startup is eligible for a state or central licence, these are the documents you need to have to apply –
Documents needed to get an FSSAI state licence
- Filled and signed Form B
- A detailed plan of the processing unit with exact measurements
- List of Directors/Partners/Proprietors with their address, contact details, and photo ID
- Details of the equipment and machinery used, their quantity, and installed capacity
- Analysis report of water to be used in the process to confirm the portability
- Copy of certificate obtained under Coop Act 1861/Multi-State Coop Act 2002
Documents needed to get FSSAI central licence
- Filled and signed Form B
- A detailed plan of the processing unit with exact measurements
- List of Directors/Partners/Proprietors with their addresses, contact details, and photo IDs
- Details of the equipment and machinery used, their quantity, and installed capacity
- Analysis report of water to be used in the process to confirm the portability
- Source of raw material for milk, meat, etc.
- Recall plan wherever applicable
- Ministry of Commerce Certificate for 100% EOU
- NOC/PA document issued by FSSAI
- IE code document issued by DGFT
- Form IX
- Certificate from the Ministry of Tourism
- Supporting document for proof of turnover and transportation
- Declaration form
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How to get FSSAI certificate?
Here is how you can get an FSSAI registration certificate for your FBO:
Step 1: You can apply online from the FoSCoS website. Depending on the type of business, you will have to fill out either Form A or Form B. You can also register offline by submitting Form A or Form B to the Food and Safety Department.
Step 2: Along with the online application form, you need to upload the required documents on the above-mentioned portal.
Step 3: The FSSAI department will check the documents submitted and send a team to inspect the premises.
Step 4: It will take seven days to decide whether to grant you the certificate or reject the application.
Step 5: If FSSAI doesn’t find any problem with your application and physical inspection, it will send you the registration certificate after seven days.
As a food business operator, you must display the FSSAI certificate on the premises all the time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What are the criteria to apply for FSSAI state and central licence?
Answer: The business that has an annual turnover of more than Rs.12 lakh and less than Rs.20 crore should apply for FSSAI state licence. Whereas, the FBO with an annual turnover crossing Rs.20 crore needs to get the central licence.
Question: How much does it cost to apply for FSSAI certificate?
Answer: To apply for a licence or registration certificate, you are required to pay anywhere from Rs 100 to Rs 7,500 per year depending on the type of food business you are operating.
In case you want to modify your certificate, you need to pay Rs 100 to modify the registration certificate and Rs 1,000 to make changes to the licence.
Question: What is the penalty for not complying with FSSAI guidelines?
Answer: Depending on the kind of offence the penalty involves paying a fine anywhere from Rs 25,000 to Rs 10 lakh. Offences include sub-standard food that is not in compliance with the Food Safety Act, misbranding of food, unhygienic condition of food manufacturing processor, etc.
Question: What are the conditions under which the licence gets cancelled?
Answer: If the designated officer from FSSAI has issued an improvement notice to your food business and you fail to comply with it, your licence may get suspended.
