Process, Required Documents, Fees
Food Business Operators (FBOs) who deal in the manufacturing, storage, transportation, retailing, marketing, distribution, etc. of food and beverages require an FSSAI State License. Companies have to apply for a state food license if their annual turnover lies between 12 lakhs and 20 crores and they operate within the state’s borders. A central food license is needed if the business is going to operate across multiple states. It is essential to keep in mind that regardless of the minimal turnover threshold, manufacturers and marketers must get an FSSAI State License.
The tenure of the license is maximum for 5years and minimum 1year.
- Know about FSSAI State License
- How to Apply for an FSSAI State License
- Required Documents for FSSAI State License
- Eligibility for FSSAI State License
- Importance of Having FSSAI State License
- Who Requires a FSSAI State License?
- Advantages of a FSSAI State License
- Government Fee for FSSAI State License
- Non-Compliance
- Fine for Non-Compliance
- Frequently Asked Questions
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Know about FSSAI State License
Person who is planning to operate a food business requires a food license. This includes not just cooking food but also handling it at every stage preceding directly to the final consumer: raw materials, production, processing, packaging, distribution, and the agencies with the authority to sell it. It guarantees that food businesses operate under the proper license and perform a quality inspection. Companies have to follow the FSSAI norms and regulations. The FSSAI is in responsible of the guidelines, rules, and precautions for the company’s well-being.
An Overview of FSSAI
The Food Safety Standards Authority of India is the full name of FSSAI. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act) established the FSSAI. The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, formed this independent organization to manage the food industry in India. A person must register their business with the FSSAI if they want to start a food-related business, whether it be in the manufacturing, distribution, packaging, or processing of food. Obtaining a 14-digit food license registration number is mandatory, and it must be written on food packaging or displayed in the premises. This license number provides information on the assembling state, the producer’s permit, or enrollment details.
It is essential to remember that an FSSAI license is not the same as an FSSAI basic registration. FBOs should acquire the required registration or license; the requirements for obtaining the license or registration vary based on the size and nature of the business.
A state FSSAI license is required if the food business’s yearly revenue is between Rs. 12 lakhs to Rs. 20 crores.
All catering companies, irrespective of turnover, should apply for a state license. This includes manufacturing facilities with a capacity of up to two MT per day, dairy units managing business of up to 50,000 liters per day, three-star hotels and above, repackers and relabeling units, club’s canteens, and all other catering businesses. The tenure of the license is maximum for 5years and minimum 1year.
If the turnover is less than 20 crores and the business’s operation is restricted to the state, Form B is required to be submitted for the state license.
How to Apply for an FSSAI State License
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Step 1: Consultation and Documentation:
- Just complete our form.
- Our experts will contact you.
- Provide our experts the required documents so they can continue processing them. Step 2: Application Submission and Approval
- After completing the application, our experts will respond to any inquiries the authorities have about the application.
- we will facilitate the food department with the follow-up required and get the government to approve your license. Step 3: Delivery of Food License
- The Food License’s issuance and approval.
- A digital and paper copy will be sent to the specified address after approval.
Required Documents for FSSAI State License
- Form B duly completed and signed.
- Partnership deed of partnership firm / affidavit of proprietorship firm
- The processing unit’s plan shows all dimensions and the area allocated for each operation.
- List of Directors/ Partners/ Proprietor along with the address, contact details, and photo ID
- Name and list of equipment and machinery to be used with the number and installed capacity
- LLP agreement (in case of LLP firm)
- Proof of possession of premises
- NOC and copy of License from the manufacturer
- Copy of certificate obtained under the Coop Act 1861 or Multistate Coop Act 2002
- Food safety management system plan or certificate
- Form IX
- Certificate from Ministry of Tourism
- Certificate of company registration & MoA (in case of Pvt. Ltd. or OPC)
- NOC from the municipality or local body
- Supporting document for proof of turnover and transportation
- Declaration form
- Analysis Report for water to be used in the process
If you are applying for Manufacturing/Repacker category, please arrange other documents mentioned below:
- Photo of Manufacturing unit
- Layouts of the Plant
- Machinery details use for production in your company letterhead
- Product details in company Letter head.
Government Fee for FSSAI State License
New License Fee
| Manufacturer/Miller | Fees (per Year) |
|---|---|
| Above 1MT per day production | Rs. FEE AMOUNT REQUIRED |
| 10,001 to 50,000 LPD of milk or 501 to 2500 of milk solids per annum | |
| Below 1MT of production | Rs. |
| 501 to 10,000 LPD of milk or 2.5 MT to 500MT of milk solids per annum | |
| Hotels upto 4 star | Rs. |
| All food services providers including restaurants / boarding house, clubs , etc. serving food canteens (schools, colleges, office, institutions ) caterers, banquet halls with food catering arrangements , food vendors like dabbawallas etc & other food business operators | Rs. |
License Renewal Fee
When your license expires, you have to renew your FSSAI license because your registration will no longer be valid.
Eligibility for FSSAI State License
The eligible entities with the above-stated turnover for state licensing applications are as follows:
- Dairy unit processing less than 2500 MT of milk sold annually, or 500–50,000 liters of milk processed every day
- Units processing or producing vegetable oil with a daily capacity of up to 2 MT
- Slaughtering units with a capacity of 2 to 50 animals in case of large animals and more than 10 to 150 in case of small animals, and more than 50 to 1000 poultry birds each day.
- Meat processing business with a capacity of up to 500 kg per day or 150 MT per year
- The food processing company, with a turnover of up to INR 30 crores, is involved in wholesale.
- Food businesses with a revenue of up to INR 20 crores that deal in retail or distribution
- Restaurants that have a revenue of upto Rs. 20 Crores
- Hotels that have a turnover of upto Rs. 20 Crores
- Units engaged in processing plants including re-labellers, re-packers and producing units upto 2 MT per day.
Who Requires a FSSAI State License?
Canteen
Dhaba
Restaurant
Food Processor
Club
Distributor
Wholesaler
Storage
supplier
Retailer
Marketer
Hawkers
Transporter
Manufacturer
Other
Importance of Having FSSAI State License
For the following reasons, an FSSAI license is important for the food industry:
- The penalties exceed the price of obtaining a food license. It serves as a protection against penalties and legal actions.
- Assurance that the food is manufactured correctly because the license is only granted after the inspection of the food’s quality.
- According to the Food Safety Standards Act, all FBOs who are engaged in the food business are required to obtain a food license.
- FSSAI License can act as an essential factor, if business is looking for a corporate business and government tenders
- The FSSAI license acts as proof that your food is safe for your customers to consume and is not harmful.
- In order to gain an advantage over other unregistered FBOs, the license holder can use the FSSAI logo on their menu card and other promotional business marketing.
Advantages of a FSSAI State License
A food license provides various advantages to food business operators (FBOs):
- Establishing brand recognition and awareness among customers and the public at large.
- The FSSAI Logo can be used by the license holder in menu cards and other advertising materials, helping in the goal of attracting new clients.
- Having an FSSAI license provides food operators an advantage over competitors in the same market.
- It guarantees food safety and hygiene, which improves the credibility of your company. Gaining customers, investors, partners, etc. will be facilitated by it.
- It offers owners of food businesses legal advantages. Because the penalties are greater than the license application fee, and legal repercussions are avoided.
Non-Compliance
Like all other industries, this industry has to operate by the rules and regulations set established by the FSSAI and the concerned authorities. Since this is a subject concerning people’s health and safety, severe penalties will be charged on any business that fails to follow to the rules and regulations. Let’s quickly go over the further penalties imposed for the violation.
Fine for Non-Compliance
| S.No | Particulars | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Food quality does not match with the compliance given in the act |
Upto 2 Lakhs Petty manufacturer – 25,000/- |
| 2 | Sub-standard food | Upto 5 Lakhs |
| 3 | Misbranded Food | Upto 3 Lakhs |
| 4 | Deceptive advertisement or false description | Upto 10 Lakhs |
| 5 | Extraneous matter in food | Upto 1 Lakh |
| 6 | Failure to comply with Food safety officer direction | Upto 2 Lakhs |
| 7 | Unhygienic processing or manufacture | Upto 1 Lakhs |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A state license is required in some states for each manufacturing unit, while a central license is required for the registered office.
Yes, you must get a central license from the address specified in the Import Export Code. A FSSAI central license is required for import and export.
- Form duly completed and signed
- Layout of the location where the business is situated
- Name and contact details of directors
- List of all the equipment & machinery installed and operating in the unit.
- List of food category to be manufactured
- Id proof & address proof of proprietor issued by government
- Passport size photograph
- Complete details of the food to be manufactured
- Authorization letter including the name & address of the responsible person
- Address proof of premise such as electricity bill or registry in case of owned premise
- In case the premise is rented or hired, rent agreement and NOC from the landlord
- License copy & No objection certificate from the manufacturer
- Certificate of plan relating to the food safety management system
Yes, an FSSAI license is required for both import and export units of food items.
Yes, an FSSAI license is required for all food-related activities, including production, trade, distribution, and transportation.
Every catering establishment needs an FSSAI license; this includes those operating under the central government, including railways, airports, seaports, and defense departments.
You can apply for a single FSSAI license to cover all of your food-related activities on the same premises.
Pharmacies and medical stores that offer health supplements require an FSSAI license.
FSSAI Registration for FBO's
| Relabeller | Hotel Businesses | Importers | Exporters |
| Food Manufacturing | Zomato | Swiggy | Airport-Premises |
FSSAI Registration in Cities and States
| Delhi | Gurgaon | Noida | Ghaziabad |
| Lucknow | Chennai | Kolkata | Chandigarh |
| Mumbai | Kochi | Goa | Varanasi |
Related FSSAI Articles
| FSSAI Registration | FSSAI State License | FSSAI Central License |
| FSSAI Returns | FSSAI License Renewal | Documents required for FSSAI registration |
| FSSAI registration process | FSSAI registration vs license | How to get FSSAI license |