Process, Importance and Required Documents
All food business operators (FBOs) with operations across many states must have an FSSAI Central License. Basically, these are huge companies like McDonald’s, Subway, Domino’s, and so on, located throughout several states or countries. The combined annual revenue of these food firms exceeds ₹20 crores. FBOs with administrative roles in central government agencies, importers, and major producers are eligible to apply for Central Food Licenses. Food companies that operate in two or more states must apply for separate registrations or licenses for each of its branches based on the criteria for eligibility that apply to each one, along with that one central license for their registered head office. Food license is valid from 1 year to 5 years.
- Know more about FSSAI Central License
- How to apply for an FSSAI Central License
- Required documents for the FSSAI Central License
- Renewal of FSSAI Central License
- Who Requires a Central FSSAI License?
- Central Food License Eligibility
- Importance of FSSAI Central License
- What differentiate a central license from a state license and a basic registration?
- FSSAI Central License’s validity
- Frequently Asked Questions
sample certificate required
sample certificate required
Know more about FSSAI Central License
The regulatory body is responsible for monitoring food security in India is known as the Food Standard and Safety of India (FSSAI). To avoid adulteration in food products, all FBOs are required to get a 14-digit FSSAI registration/license number based on their business activity and turnover, that they have to display on food packaging. All of India’s major FBOs have Central Licenses issued by the FSSAI. It is the primary requirement for food businesses that deal with the manufacturing, distribution, transportation, or retailing of food-related products.
How to apply for an FSSAI Central License
- It is required for you to obtain a Central FSSAI License that complies with the eligibility criteria, after which you must complete Application Form B according to with the FSSAI guidelines. Any form of data that has been provided need to be verified as accurate, relevant, and genuine.
- Remember that product names should be mentioned in their general form rather than their brand names.
- As per the FSSAI Act, 2006, every product listed in the license has to be certified.
- You’ll finally be asked how long you wish to apply for a central license. You must decide on the ideal time frame for obtaining the license. (From 1 to 5 years)
- The required fees must be paid once the form is filed, either through an online portal or in person at the FSSAI state office by submitting the demand draft.
- Your license will be delivered through post in 25–30 days.
Required Documents for the FSSAI Central License
- NOC from Municipality or Local Body (optional).
- Ministry of Commerce Certificate for 100% EOU.
- NOC issued by FSSAI.
- Import Export Code issued by DGFT.
- Nomination of Person(s) by a Company (Form IX).
- Certification by the Ministry of Tourism.
- Detailed proof of income in writing.
- Self-declaration of the number of vehicles.
- FSSAI Declaration Form.
- NOC & Copy of License from the manufacturer (Mandatory for Relabellers and Repackers).
- Food Safety Management System Plan or Certificate (if any).
- Source of milk or milk recruitment plans, specifying where milk collection centers are located in the event that milk and milk product manufacturing facilities are involved (if relevant).
- Source of raw material for meat and meat processing plants. (if applicable).
- If manufacturing packaged water, obtain a pesticide protection report for the water from a laboratory that is authorized.
- A copy of the certificate obtained under the Multi-State Coop Act of 2002 or the Coop Act of 1861, (if applicable) in the case of cooperatives.
- List all of the machinery and equipment, along with its name, installed capacity, and horsepower. It is mandatory, for production and manufacturing units only.
- Analyze the Chemical and Bacteriological report of water from a public health laboratory before using it as a food ingredient to ensure its portability. For manufacturing and processing facilities, it is essential.
- Documentary proof of the self-declaration or turnover for several vehicles. It’s an essential document for transporters.
- Certificate of Food Safety Management System Plan (FSMSP) if required
Renewal of FSSAI Central License
As the registration expires, it will be necessary to renew the food license after the specified time limit expires. Follow the following steps to renew your FSSAI central license in a scenario like this:
- Form B provides filling completion details. Additionally, a self-attested statement and a picture proving your identity (such as a driver’s license, voter ID, or Aadhar card).
- Once the form has been completed and submitted, the authorities will review and validate the information provided before conducting an inspection to verify the veracity of the provided documents and details.
- Within 30 to 60 days of the investigation’s summary, the FSSAI central license will be issued.
Who Requires a Central FSSAI License?
Canteen
Dhaba
Restaurant
Food Processor
Club
Distributor
Wholesaler
Storage
supplier
Retailer
Marketer
Hawkers
Transporter
Manufacturer
Other
Central Food License Eligibility
The following operators of food businesses are eligible to apply for a Central FSSAI License:
- FBOs with a yearly turnover of more over ₹20 crores, including as restaurants, retailers, distributors, wholesalers, and suppliers.
- Units that use solvent extraction to manufacture and process vegetable oil, as well as factories that include oil expeller units capable of producing more than 2 tonnes of oil per day.
- Dhabas, clubs, canteens, and other food vending businesses having several locations throughout many states and an annual revenue above ₹12 Lakhs are identified.
- wholesalers with a minimum annual revenue of ₹30 crores.
- Hotels with rating 5-star or more.
- 100% export-focused businesses producing or processing food.
- All importers, including those who bring in food additives or materials.
- caterers employed by the Central Government or by allied organizations such the railroads, airlines, seaports, and defense, and others.
- More than 50,000 metric tonnes storage capacity.
- Units for handling or processing dairy products (including chilling units) with a daily capacity of more than 50,000 liters
- A daily slaughter capacity of more than 1000 poultry birds, more than 150 small animals, or more than 50 large animals.
- Cold storage which can hold at least 1,000 MT in a controlled atmosphere.
- Transporters with more than 100 vehicles. or annual revenue of more than ₹30 crores.
- All food processing facilities, including repackers, with the exception of those that mill grain, beans, and cereals and have a daily capacity greater than 2 metric tonnes.
- All FBOs engaged in the production of food products, additives, or ingredients employing novel processes, technologies, or a combination of these, the safety of which the FSSAI has not yet determined.
Importance of FSSAI Central License
To legally operate their business in India, all large food business operators must obtain a Central FSSAI license, according to the FSSAI authority. The FSSAI obtained a Central License for the following reasons, among others:
- The FSSAI randomly checks the food licenses of FBOs and enforces strict regulations against companies whose licenses expired or food enterprises operating without an FSSAI license.
- Maintaining confidence among consumers in food safety and quality has become increasingly important due to the high level of consumer trust in these areas. So, in order to maintain that confidence, licensing is important.
- FBOs are required to print a 14-digit FSSAI License number on their food packaging in order to maintain the confidence of customers.
- Central License encourages trade while maintaining a higher share and protection for consumers.
- By reducing food adulteration and the selling of inferior products, the Central FSSAI License ensures that food products are subjected to quality assessments.
What differentiate a Central License from a State License and a Basic Registration?
In order to ensure that the 130 crore residents of the nation have access to safe food, the Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) develops science-based standards for food products and improves their manufacturing, storage, distribution, sale, and import. Three different forms of FSSAI License Registration are available under the FSSAI Licensing system: Basic FSSAI Registration, State FSSAI License, and Central FSSAI License. Even with this understanding, all FBOs are still unsure about which license is best for their particular food business.
To make things easier for you to understand. Read the table listed below:
| FSSAI Basic Registration | FSSAI State License | FSSAI Central License |
|---|---|---|
| All the food business operators who operates a small-sized business are required to register under FSSAI Basic Registration | All the food business operators who operates a medium-sized businesses are required to register under FSSAI State License | All the food business operators who operates a large-sized businesses are required to register under FSSAI Central License |
| The Basic Registration is for business having an annual turnover of up to ₹12 Lakhs. | The State Food License is for business having an annual turnover between ₹12 Lakhs to ₹20 Crores. | The Central Food License is for business having an annual turnover of more than ₹20 Crores. |
| The main documentation in to be signed and complete is FORM-A | Completion of FORM-B along with signatures. | FORM-B must be complete with a signature. |
FSSAI Central License's Validity
The validity of the central FSSAI license is between 1 to 5 years. During this time, the food business has to make decisions regarding its central license. The license needs to be renewed after that because it expires. Whether or not FBOs wish to proceed is entirely up to them. However, they need to renew their license if they want to keep on with their operation.
Form A or Form B applications for food license renewals must be submitted no later than 30 days after the current registration expires. Applications for FSSAI License Renewal submitted after the deadline will be subject to a ₹100 late fee for each day, they are late.
When the food license expires, the food business operator is required to stop running all the businesses at the premises.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
The owners of food businesses with annual revenue above ₹20 crores are eligible for a Central FSSAI License. The Indian government is the one that issues the license.
FBOs with a yearly revenue of more over ₹20 crores, including as restaurants, stores, wholesalers, and suppliers. Food product importers and exporters also require an FSSAI Central License.
Steps for obtaining the License are:
- Complete the Form- B
- Submit all the documents prescribed by our expert team
- As per the FSSAI Act, 2006, Make sure all the products are certified.
- The application will be approved.
- The license will be delivered to your address after inspection.
Required documents are:
- Form B
- Address proof
- Id Proof
- PAN Card
- Declaration form
Yes, the FSSAI central license is required for the import and export of food products.
Yes, you must have the central license.
Yes, as soon as the FSSAI central license expires, the application for renewal must be submitted alongside the required documents; otherwise, FBO will be penalized ₹100 per day for as long as the license isn’t renewed.
Yes, a central FSSAI license is required for hotels and restaurants.
A FSSAI central license can be obtained in a maximum of 20 to 25 working days.
FSSAI Registration for FBO's
| Relabeller | Hotel Businesses | Importers | FSSAI Food License For 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 |