Top Mistakes in Obtaining FSSAI License- Swarit Advisors

FSSAI LICENSE

FSSAI License is required by entities that carry on the business of production, manufacture, processing, distribution, sale, import, or export of food-related products and beverages. This license is also mandatory for dairy businesses, meat processing and manufacturing unit, and hotels, or restaurants.

FSSAI license is a certification that certifies the quality of food is hygienic and safe as per the norms of standards set by the Government of India for the food-related businesses.

Any person or business operator engaged in dealing with food-related services has to take the FSSAI License mandatorily. If they fail to do so, they will get penalized with imprisonment of 6 months and a fine up to INR 50,000.

Types of Food Licenses

There are two types of food license depending upon the turnover of the food business operator:

a)      State FSSAI License: This license has to be acquired by food business operators if:

✔      Annual turnover exceeds INR 12 Crore.

✔      If the hotel is a 3 star and above

✔      Transporter having 100 vehicles and a turnover exceeding INR 30 Crore.

b)     Central FSSAI License: This license has to be acquired by food business operators if:

✔      Annual turnover exceeds INR 20 Crore.

✔      In case it operates in more than one state.

✔      In case food operating businesses engaged in import and export of food products.

✔      If the hotel is a 5 star and above.

Non-applicability of Food License

Following food operators are exempted from obtaining FSSAI license:

●       Small retailer

●       A small manufacturer who produce foods himself

●       Temporary stallholder

●       Organization or any person who distributes foods in religious and social places.

●       The annual turnover of food business operators is less than INR 12 Lakhs.

However, they are required to get registered with the Food Authority, who allots them a certificate of registration.

How to obtain an FSSAI license?

Following is the procedure for applying for FSSAI license:

●       Apply in form A to Food and safety department.

●       Application get approved or rejected within 7 days of the application date.

●       If the application gets approved, the authority will grant a certificate of registration.

●       An entity shall display such certificate at the principal place of business.

Documents attached with the application form

●       Complete and signed form B

●       Photo identity

●       Rent agreement or any other proof of premise

●       Detail list of food products.

●       Food safety management policies

●       COI, AOA & MOA in case of a company

License Revoked

Following common mistakes are made by food businesses that lead to revoke or suspend the license by authority:

●Unsafe Food: Principal Officer or any other person in charge of food business sale, manufacture, store, or deals with food that is unsafe for human consumption.

● Misleading Advertisement: Company sometimes publishes an advertisement that is misleading and gives false information about the nature of the food.

●   Incorrect application: Applicant submits or furnishes the wrong information on an application relating to his details, nature of the business, products or services offered, etc.

Final Thoughts

The food Start-up procedure is quite complex, that arises the need for guidance from professional experts. Our team (Swarit Advisors)of professionals has years of experience in obtaining FSSAI License and can assist you with the same.