Let’s Understand the Concept of FSSAI Central License – Overview

All the food operators in India must obtain FSSAI Central License who is carrying activities like distribution, retailing, manufacturing, storage, etc. The Food Safety and Standards Authority issues this license. Also, this license is granted to a food operator who operates a business on a huge scale or has an annual turnover of more than Rs. 20 crores. FSSAI License has a 14 digit license number which is printed on the packages of every food products. In the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, there are three types of FSSAI licenses in India – Basic, Central, and State License. In this article, we discuss the FSSAI Central License.  

Eligibility criteria for FSSAI Central License in India

Below is eligibility criteria for all the FBOs (Food Business Operators) who want to get a central license in India to start a food business:

1. The capacity of storage units (excluding cold environment and controlled atmosphere) should be more than 50,000 Metric Tons.
2. This license can be obtained by food distributors, wholesalers, caterers, retailers, etc. whose annual turnover is more than Rs. 20 crores.
3. Food transporters whose annual turnover is more than Rs. 30 crores and who own up to 100 vehicles.
4. The daily capacity of slaughter should be for 50 large animals, 150 small animals, and 1000 poultry birds.
5. Export-oriented units.
6. Dairy units producing mil unit of 50,000 liters milk every year.
7. Restaurants or food marketing annual turnover of more than Rs. 20 crores.
8. Food processing unit with a capacity of two megatons daily.
9. Five stars and above hotels.
10. Catering service comes under different seaports in India.
11. Catering services come under Central Government Agencies.
12. Cold environment and controlled atmosphere more than 1000 Megaton.
13. Daily meat processing 50KG or 150 MT or more.
14. Proprietary food manufacturers.

What are the essential documents required for FSSAI Central License in India?

Following are some essential documents required at the time of obtaining FSSAI Central License in India which is submitted by the business owner:

• A detailed list of all the directors and members of the company along with contact details and full address.
• Latest passport size photographs of an applicant.
• Submit a copy of Identity proof of all the directors and members such as Aadhar card, PAN card, Voter Id, Driving License, etc.
• Submit address proof of the food business operators.
• Duly-signed and filled Form-B.
• Self-declaration for FSSAI Proprietorship.
• In case of a rented office, submit NOC (No Objection Certificate) from the landlord.
• Certificate of Food Health Management Program.
• NOC by local authorities or Municipal Corporation.
• Submit a copy of the certificate which is obtained under the Coop Act, 1861.
• Submit a certificate of Company Incorporation.
• Submit a copy of the Manufacturer License and NOC.
• If applicable, submit sources of meat and milk.
• Blueprint or layout of the processing unit, which represents the dimensions and area distribution of the workplace depending on the operations.
• Submit a copy of the certificate from the Ministry of Tourism (It is mandatory for hotels).
• If you are a manufacture, provide a list of food categories to be manufactured.
• IE code document from DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade).
• Submit documents as proof of business turnover.

 If it’s a manufacturing business, then submit all the documents as mentioned below:

• Submit a report of water quality which is used in food products.
• Types of material for animal production establishments.
• In the case of Transport Company, submit a certificate given by the Ministry of Tourism and a self-declaration of the equipment used in activities.
• If the business is a partnership, then submit an agreement on the partnership, MOA (Memorandum of association) of business incorporation.
• For a hotel, submit a certificate issued by the Ministry of Tourism (HRACC – Hotel & Restaurants and Classification Committee). 

What is the procedure for the FSSAI Central License?

Following is the procedure to obtain FSSAI Central License in India:

Step 1: Filing Form B

Fill all the details mentioned in Form B and complete it to the FSSAI department.

Step 2: Submit Form B along with an affidavit and self-declaration

The application for the FSSAI Central License must be attached with a self-declaration and an affidavit. Once you prepare all the important documents required for the license, then you can apply to the FSSAI Department.

Step 3: Issuance of License:

After applying along with the documents, the authority will verify and examine the application and documents. If the Authority satisfied with the application, they would issue the Central FSSAILicense to the FBO. The Central License is issued for one to five years (depends on the need of the FBO). The fee for the license application depends on the period for which the FBO has opted.

Note: The validity period of the FSSAI Central License is five years, and the minimum time is one year. Once the period of the license is over, then renew the license immediately.

Fee Structure of FSSAI Central License

You can check the fee structure of the central license from below:

• For New Application: Rs. 7500/-
• For Renewal Application: Rs. 7500/-
• For License or Certificate Modification: Rs. 7500/-
• For Duplicate License or Certificate: 10% of the applicable license fee. 

Renewal of FSSAI Central License

For all the food operators, it is mandatory to renew the central license when the license is getting expired. The applicant must apply for the renewal in duly signed and completed Form A or Form B along with the necessary documents as mentioned below:

1. Self-declaration by the food operator or applicant.
2. Latest passport size photograph of the applicant.
3. PAN card and Aadhar card of the applicant.
4. Submit identity proof of an applicant such as Voter Id or Driving License, etc.

Once the renewal application is submitted to the authority, then they will verify and inspects the application. After completing the examination process and the authority satisfied with all the documents and information provided by the applicant, then the authority will issue the renewed Central FSSAI license.

Conclusion

Having a FSSAI license can help you differ from your opponents and make your food business more trustworthy. It is necessary to obtain the FSSAI License for all the Food Business Operators (FBOs) before the beginning of the food business. It is advisable to hire an expert to make you easy for the registration of the FSSAI Central License.