FSSAI Central License
FSSAI central license is mandatory for food-based facilities or entities having a yearly turnover over Rs 20 crores. FSSAI is an apex regulator that regulates food businesses irrespective of type and turnover in India. It legitimizes businesses and grants applicable licenses based on turnover. Almost every entity that is a part of the food supply chain falls under the purview of FSSAI. This article takes a brief look at the procedure and paperwork concerning the FSSAI central license.
Understanding the types of FSSAI license
FSSAI grants three types of licenses based on turnover and operational footprint. These include:
Basic registration:
This permit primarily encompasses small businesses such as petty food vendors, roadside food outlets, tea stalls, etc. Those having an annual turnover of less than Rs 12 lakhs must apply for this registration.
FSSAI State license:
Businesses with state-wide operations or yearly turnover ranging from 12 lakhs to 20 crores must apply for this permit.
FSSAI central license
This license applies to bigger food businesses, including production facilities, dairy companies, and food package entities, having a yearly turnover of more than Rs 20 crores.
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Steps to secure FSSAI central license
The following steps shall come into play when you apply for a food license i.e FSSAI license number:
Step1: Navigate to the FosCoS portal
FosCoS is a dedicated online portal for food businesses in India. It helps with various subject matters, including licensing, renewal, and registering grievances. You need to create a valid account on this portal via legitimate credentials.
Step 2: Fill out the e-form
Once you create the account, log on to the portal again and navigate the application section. Choose your business type and turnover to get access to the e-form. Once done, fill out the e-form with information as required.
Step 3: Upload documents as required
This step requires you to upload mandatory paperwork that helps reinforce the legitimacy of the business, owner, and product. Some key documents required for a food license are cited in the next section.
Step 4: Submit the applicable fee
After successful document uploading, the portal will redirect you to the payment gateway wherein you need to submit the applicable fee.
Step 5: Verification by authority
The successful payment submission shall pave the foundation for the next step: vetting. The authority will thoroughly examine the paperwork and inspect the facility to affirm the compliance level. The verification shall be performed within the purview of the FSS Act, which stands for Food Safety Standards Act.
Step 6: Grant of License
The grant of license shall come into play if the authority does not find any loopholes from the compliance viewpoint. The license shall come alongside a license number.
What is the validity of the FSSAI central license?
The validity period of the FSSAI central license varies depending on the duration for which the permit is required. The validity timeline for a food permit ranges from 1-5 years. A timely renewal of a license is advisable before it surpasses the validity period.
Documentation requirement for FSSAI central license
- Completed and signed Form B.
- A plan of the processing unit indicating dimensions and area allocation for each operation.
- Details of Directors/Partners/Proprietor, including address, contact information, and photo ID.
- Equipment and machinery list, specifying numbers and installed capacity.
- Manufacturer’s authorization letter naming a responsible person and their contact details.
- Water analysis report for process water quality confirmation.
- Raw material sources for milk, meat, etc.
- Recall plan, if applicable.
- Ministry of Commerce Certificate for 100% Export Oriented Unit (EOU).
- NOC/PA document from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
- Import Export (IE) code document from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).
- Form IX.
- Certificate from the Ministry of Tourism.
- Supporting documents for turnover and transportation verification.
- Declaration form.
Underscoring key norms around Food license in India
● There is no general timeline concerning the grant of license. The authority may take a few days to weeks to complete the verification process.
● The cost of the FSSAI central license would be more than the state permit. Typically, the authority charges around Rs 8000 for a central license and Rs 5000 for a state permit. The basic registration is among the cheapest ones as it costs around Rs 500-2000 depending on the timeline for which is permit is required.
● The cost of an FSSAI central permit varies depending on the validity period, which maxes out at 5 years.
● The on-site inspection may come into play depending on the type and scalability of the food business during the verification phase.
● The food license holders must affix the FSSAI logo as well as the license number on food packages.
● The FSSAI license number is unique to every food business.
● Applicants seeking a central license can visit the online portal namely FoSCoS to apply for the same.
● The FSS Act entails stringent norms and penalties, including jail terms, for defaulters.
● The malpractices like adulteration or sharing misleading information about edible items are an offense under the FSS Act.
Conclusion
FSSAI central license sits at the forefront of a legitimate food business. It enables entities to carry out their operation while staying aligned with underlying norms for food safety and hygiene. The authority can inspect food businesses even after granting a license to affirm compliance.
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