Anyone working in the food industry must register with the FSSAI. If you're in the food processing, manufacturing, packaging, or distribution sector, you'll require an FSSAI registration.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issues the registration/license, which is an organisation that monitors food enterprises under the FSSAI Act 2006's standards and regulations.

FSSAI Licence Types in India

According to the FSSAI Act of 2006, all food enterprises must be registered or licenced in one of three categories:

• FSSAI Registration - It is the most common type of food licence awarded to enterprises with a small annual turnover - up to $12 lakhs. Catering firms, regardless of revenue, must apply for a state licence rather than a standard FSSAI registration.
• FSSAI State Licence - A state licence is required for businesses with annual profits of more than $12 lakhs but less than $20 crores.
• FSSAI Central Licence - The central registration is for enterprises with a turnover of more than $20 million per year.

Enterprises that offer food to government offices/departments, as well as businesses that import/export food, must get a central licence.

Advantages of FSSAI

Aside from the fact that FSSAI registration is required for your food business, it also has some advantages:

• It inspires confidence and trust in your customers.
• You will be given new industry knowledge that will assist you enhance your safety standards and help you meet the norms of international organisations.
• The FSSAI logo is well-known, and as a result, it can help to build consumer trust.
• FSSAI is also in charge of establishing ISO17025. norms and processes for quality assurance of authorised labs.
• Through studies that you have access to, you can improve or create better work policies.
• When FSSAI registration is involved, hygiene and cleanliness are monitored and observed.
• Exporting food items to other countries requires an FSSAI licence.

Who Must Register with the FSSAI?

Everyone in the food sector, from hawkers to home vendors to large food chains, must register with the FSSAI. If your business comes into one of the following categories, you must obtain a food licence:

• Manufacture
• Distribution
• Procurement
• Processing
• Storage
• Packaging

To put it another way, everybody who works with food substances from farm to plate must have an FSSAI food licence.

Documents Required for FSSAI Registration

You must submit several documentation for registration depending on the kind of registration and the sort of food business you operate.

Registration with the FSSAI

• A photograph is included in an identity proof.
• A photo in passport size

State and Central Licence

• A photo in passport size
• Code for import and export
• Address proof
• A list of the company's directors or partners
• An incorporation certificate
• The business's Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) and Statement of Objectives (AoA)
• A photograph is included in an identity proof.
• Certificate of no objection from the local municipality

Manufacturing Units

• The blueprint for a warehouse, facility, or other structure.
• A list of all equipment
• A water test report
• List of all food categories

Penalty for Non-Comliance

A food business operator (FBO) who operates their business without registering with the FSSAI faces up to five years in prison and an FSSAI licence penalty of up to $5 lakh.