What is FSSAI Registration?

FSSAI stands for the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. According to the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulation, 2011, all manufacturers, traders, transporters, retailers, re-packers and even street vendors must get a registration or a license from the FSSAI in order to operate a food business in India.

The advantages of FSSAI registration are:  

It ensures that food businesses comply with all the regulatory requirements relating to food products, thus ensuring safe and wholesome food for the consumer.  

It helps ensure that food producers and suppliers are up to date with the latest food safety regulations. 

FSSAI registration helps to protect the reputation of the food business as it is a signal to customers that the business is an established and reliable supplier.  

It ensures that food businesses are able to obtain up to date information regarding food safety regulations, thus allowing them to stay compliant with all the legal requirements.  

The FSSAI registration also helps the food business to gain recognition in the market and it helps to attract potential customers.

It provides an assurance to customers that the food business is following all the food safety regulations and is committed to providing safe and quality products. 

FSSAI registration also helps the food business to demonstrate its commitment to good manufacturing practices, thus creating trust and confidence in the product or service.

Finally, it helps the food business to obtain additional certifications or approvals from other organizations, thus helping to expand its market.

The documents required for FSSAI registration are: 

  • Copy of Pan Card
  • Copy of Aadhar Card
  • Copy of Utility Bill (for proof of address)
  • Copy of Partnership Deed/ Certificate of Incorporation/ Memorandum of Association
  • Photographs of each director/ partner
  • Bank Details
  • Details of the Directors/ Partners 
  • NOC from the owner of the premises (if the premises is rented) 
  • Details of proprietor/ partner/ managing Director 
  • Details of Products to be manufactured/ traded
  • Details of the Food Safety Supervisor (if applicable)
  • Food safety program/ HACCP Plan

What are the important points of FSSAI Registration?

Eligibility criteria

According to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), food business operators are required to obtain a license or registration based on the type and size of their business. Generally, a business will be eligible to obtain a FSSAI license or registration if they are involved in the production, storage, distribution, sale and import of food products. Depending upon the nature of the business, the following criteria must be met: 

  • For Food Business Operators (FBOs) involved in manufacturing, processing, packaging, storing, distributing and selling of food products, a central license is required. 
  • For FBOs that are involved in the primary processing of agricultural produce, a state license is required. 
  • FBOs involved in the transportation and storage of food products will require a registration certificate. 
  • For FBOs that are involved in the import of food products, an import license is required.

Highlights of FSSAI registration

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a legal body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. It is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety. The main highlights of FSSAI registration are as follows: 

  • It is mandatory for food business operators (FBOs) to obtain FSSAI registration or license for the purpose of carrying out their business.
  • It is an important step to ensure food safety and meet the requirements of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
  • It is important to maintain records of the food safety management system. 
  • The FSSAI registration or license can be obtained either at the Central or the State level depending on the nature and size of the business.
  • Licenses are issued for a period of one to five years. The validity of the license is renewable. 
  • Apart from obtaining the FSSAI Registration or license, FBOs must also comply with the hygiene and safety procedures laid down by FSSAI.
  • The FBOs must also follow the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) specified by FSSAI.

Process of FSSAI registration

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) registration process involves the following steps: 

  • Obtaining a 14-digit Registration or License Number
  • Filling up the FSSAI Registration Form
  • Submission of Documents
  • Submission of Application
  • Inspection of the Food Business
  • Issuance of License by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India

The step by step process of FSSAI registration is as follows:

  • Obtain a Director Identification Number (DIN) from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).
  • Obtain an FSSAI Basic Registration Certificate or State License, depending on the scale of the business.
  • Fill in the FSSAI registration form with the required details.
  • Submit the application form along with the required documents to the local FSSAI office.
  • Make the necessary payment for the FSSAI license.
  • Once the payment is received, the license will be issued within a month.
  • The license will be valid for a period of 1-5 years, depending on the type of license applied for.

The documents required for FSSAI registration for manufacturing units include: 

  • Industry registration certificate 
  • Factory registration certificate  
  • Food safety supervisor certificate  
  • Food safety management system audit certificate 
  • FSSAI license renewals 
  • State licensing authority documents  
  • Production line documents  
  • Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) documents   
  • Certificate of Analysis (COA)  
  • Complaint and recall system documents  
  • Microbiological test certificates  
  • Packaging material certificate   
  • Food safety policy  
  • List of finished products   
  • FSSAI registration form   
  • List of raw materials
  • Product safety and shelf life documents

Important Points of FSSAI Registration

Time required

In general, it takes anywhere from 5 business days to 30 business days for a Food License application to be processed by the FSSAI authority after submission of the application. However, the exact process duration depends on the nature of the business and the documents submitted.

What is the eligibility criteria?

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) requires all food business operators (FBOs) to obtain a license before commencing any operations. The eligibility criteria for obtaining a FSSAI license depend on the nature of the food business and turnover. For instance, for small scale establishments, the annual turnover should not exceed Rs. 12 lakhs, while for medium scale establishments, the turnover should not exceed Rs. 20 crores. In addition, the FBO should have the necessary documents such as registration certificate, quality management system certificates, etc. The FBO must also ensure that the food products they manufacture, process or store are safe and hygienic.

Time required for FSSAI registration

The time required for FSSAI registration depends on the type of registration you are seeking. Generally, the registration process can take between 5 to 15 working days.

The documents required for State FSSAI registration are:

Step First

  • Completed application form
  • Authorization letter
  • Proof of identity (Aadhaar card/ PAN card/ Voter ID card/ Passport)
  • Address proof (Aadhaar card/ Passport/ Ration card/ Voter ID card/ Telephone bill/ Electricity bill/ Bank statement)

Step Second

  • Proof of commencement of business
  • PAN card of the business entity
  • Copy of Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association 
  • Partnership deed
  • Photograph of the proprietor/ director

Step Third

  • Certificate of incorporation
  • Details of all the directors
  • Bank statement
  • NOC from the local authorities
  • License or permission from the local authorities
  • Any other documents as may be required by the authorities

The documents required for Central FSSAI registration are as follows: 

PAN card 

Aadhaar card  

Bank Account details 

Photographs of the Food Business Operator (FBO) 

Third-party insurance 

Details of the Food Business Operator (FBO) 

Address proof of the premises   

Form A of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011  

NOC from the local authorities

Authorization letter of the authorized signatory 

Declaration of the food safety and standards 

Undertaking of the food safety and standards 

There are types of registrations under Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

Basic FSSAI Registration

This type of registration is needed for any food business with an annual turnover of less than Rs. 12 lakhs.

State FSSAI Registration

This type of registration is needed for any food business with an annual turnover of more than Rs. 12 lakhs but less than Rs. 20 crore. 

Central FSSAI Registration

This type of registration is needed for any food business with an annual turnover of more than Rs. 20 crore.  Each registration requires the submission of specific forms and documents, such as FSSAI registration form, sales tax certificate, PAN or TIN certificate, etc. Besides, there are certain additional licenses and permits required depending on the type of food business. For example, a food business that serves alcoholic beverages may need a liquor license, while a restaurant may need a fire safety certificate. 

The registration fee for FSSAI is Rs. 999.