"A Summary of the FSSAI State License"
The FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) is a key government organization that oversees food safety in India. It has set many rules and standards to ensure the safety of food across the country. Right now, every food business in India must obtain the appropriate FSSAI state license to legally operate.
Operating without a valid FSSAI state license is considered a serious offense for food businesses, according to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. FSSAI carries out its work based on this law and follows the guidelines of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
"The Function of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India"
“The FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) is responsible for ensuring food safety to protect public health. The main responsibilities of FSSAI include:”
- Developing guidelines and standards for the food industry
- Launching programs to raise awareness about food safety
- Issuing instructions for food business operators
- Establishing standards and regulations for food testing laboratories
- Collecting data on contaminants found in food products
- Providing recommendations to the Indian Government for creating new regulations
- Using a rapid alert system to quickly identify problems in food products available to consumers
- FSSAI has established strict regulations for proprietary food businesses, as many of these operate without set standards. It requires these businesses to obtain an FSSAI state license, with no exceptions.
FSSAI has introduced mandatory regulations for food businesses (FBOs) covering the manufacturing, storage, sale, and distribution of food to ensure safety and hygiene. The authority has also created a reliable information network to help the public access accurate details about food safety and hygiene.
Advantages of the FSSAI State License
The FSSAI State License is crucial for food businesses operating in a particular state in India. Some of the main advantages include:
- Enhances brand visibility and trust among customers and the general public.
- Boosts the credibility and reputation of the business.
- Helps businesses attract a larger customer base.
- Provides legal protection that unlicensed businesses do not have.
- Promotes the adoption of food safety best practices for the business owner.
Who Requires an FSSAI State License?
Food businesses that are medium-sized and involved in manufacturing, processing, packaging, storing, distributing, or selling food need to get an FSSAI State License. Specifically, this license is required for businesses in the following categories:
- Businesses operating in one state, earning an annual turnover between Rs 12 lakhs and Rs 20 crores.
- Businesses dealing with proprietary foods.
- Facilities involved in producing and processing vegetable oils using solvent extraction, meeting the turnover requirements.
- Hotels with a rating of 4 stars or lower.
- Dairy product facilities or milk chilling units with a production capacity between 500 to 50,000 liters.
- Storage units with a capacity of less than 50,000 metric tons per year.
- Slaughterhouses with a capacity of more than 2 and up to 50 large animals, or handling between 10 to 150 small animals, or slaughtering more than 50 to 1,000 poultry birds per day.
- Food processing facilities, including re-packing units, with a daily capacity of 100 kg to 2 metric tons.
Penalty for Not Following FSSAI's Rules
In India, food businesses face strict penalties for not following FSSAI’s rules. If a business does not comply, they could face serious consequences.
FSSAI officers can visit the business unexpectedly to
check if they are following the rules. If they find any issues, the business could be fined according to the FSSAI Act of 2006. Here are some of the penalties for not complying:
| S.No | Issue | Fine (Rs) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Food quality violations | 2 Lakh |
| 2 | Selling food not of the nature or substance or quality demanded ,Substandard food | 5 Lakh |
| 3 | Misbranded food/Mislabelled food | 3 Lakh |
| 4 | Misleading Advertisement or a label/False advertising or incorrect description | 10 Lakh |
| 5 | Foreign objects in food | 1 Lakh |
| 6 | Not following food safety officer’s instructions | 2 Lakh |
7 | Unhygienic or unsanitary processing or manufacturing of Food/Unhygienic food production | 1 Lakh |
| 8 | Punishment for carryingout the bussiness without license | 5 Lacs and/or Imprisionment upto 6 Month |
| 9 | Punishment for false information (Any Person as per dircetions under FSS Act | 2 Lacs and/or Imprisionment upto 3 Month |
Fee Structure for FSSAI State License
Mode of Payment: Online Payment Through FoScoS Fssai Portal only
The fee depends on the production capacity of the food business:
| Bussiness Type | License Fee per Year (INR) |
| Large Manufacturers (over 1 million tons/day) | 10,000 |
| Milk producers (50,000 L/day of Milk or 501 to 2,500 million tons of milk solids per Year) | 5,000 |
| Smaller Manufacturers (less than 1 million tons/day) | 3,000 |
| 4-Star Hotels | 5,000 |
| Food service providers (restaurants, canteens, clubs, caterers, banquet halls, dabbawalas, etc.) | 2,000 |
"Documents Needed to Apply for FSSAI State License"
- Information about key management personnel, including Directors, Partners, Owners, and Executive Members of the organization, along with their full address and contact details.
- Passport-sized photographs of the person applying for the license.
- Proof of identity and address of the individual applying for the license.
- The applicant’s PAN card.
- A copy of property documents (if the business premises are owned by the applicant).
- A copy of the rental agreement and a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the landlord (if the property is rented).
- Details of raw material suppliers.
- Form B, properly filled out and signed by the applicant.
- A list of machinery installed at the business location.
- NOC from the local municipality.
- Details of the food categories and types of food products to be produced at the facility.
- Import-Export Code issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).
- Form IX.
- Authorization letter with the name and address of the responsible individual.
- Food Safety Management System (FSMS) plan.
Process to Get an FSSAI State License
To get an FSSAI State License, follow these steps:
- Prepare Required Documents: Gather all the necessary documents and complete the application using Form B.
- Submit the Application: Submit the completed form through the FOSCOS online portal, along with the required fees.
- Application Review: FSSAI officials will carefully review the application and documents.
- Inspection (if needed): If necessary, FSSAI officials may visit the business premises to check if the food safety standards are being followed.
- License Issuance: If everything is in order, the FSSAI State License will be granted. (Note: The license may be canceled if the business does not comply with the rules.)
- Start Business Operations: Once the license is obtained, the business can begin its operations.
Why Choose GIPL for FSSAI State Food License Registration?
Make your FSSAI state food license registration process easier with GIPL! Our simple and effective approach turns the licensing process into a valuable business advantage.
Our expert team ensures a smooth and quick experience, giving you clear guidance to improve your compliance and business growth. Here’s why entrepreneurs choose us to help with their FSSAI State License application:
- We carefully check to make sure your business meets state-specific regulations.
- Benefit from our years of experience in FSSAI services.
- We have a 99% success rate in getting FSSAI applications approved on the first try.
- Build your brand’s trust and market presence with a valid FSSAI State License.
- Enjoy smooth application processing and a stress-free licensing experience.