Food License in India:

a food license in india OR FSSAI license is granted to all manufacturers, traders, restaurants carrying on any food business which may involve manufacturing or processing. On applying for FSSAI registration, a unique 14-digit license number is issued which has to be quoted on all food packages. food license in india FoSCos has now been issued by FSSAI which stands for Food Safety Compliance System. FoSCos is the new system launched by FSSAI which was effective from 01-06-2020 in some states and from 01-11-2020 it is working Pan India.

Who needs a food license in India? ,

Every food business operator involved in the manufacture, processing, storage, distribution and sale of food products must mandatorily obtain FSSAI registration or license. The purpose of the registration process is to create more accountability on the FBOs to maintain the quality of food products.

Types of Food License in India:

There are three types of food licenses in India that are issued by the authority based on the business and activity of the Food Business Operator (FBO). The three types of licenses are as follows:

1. Basic Registration – Small Business Operators whose annual turnover is Rs. 1.2 million
2. State License – FBO whose annual turnover is between Rs. 12 lakh to Rs. 200 million
3. Central License – FBO whose annual turnover is more than Rs. 20 crore or involved in import and export business

Basic Registration Requirements:

FSSAI registration is a basic license and is required for all FBOs involved in small scale food business. The following businesses are included in this category:

1. Any FBO whose annual turnover is more than Rs. 1.2 million.
2. small food retailer
3. any person who himself manufactures or sells any article of food
4. Food sales are done by temporary stallholders
5. Any person who distributes food in any religious or social gathering, other than a caterer
6. Small or cottage industries engaged in the food business and the following

State and Central License Requirements:

For all FBOs other than those mentioned above, an FSSAI license has to be obtained. FSSAI License can be classified into two categories i.e. State FSSAI License and Central FSSAI. License depending on the size of the business whether it is medium scale or large scale business. Generally, FBOs who are large manufacturers, importers, exporters dealing in large scale food businesses are required to obtain FSSAI registration from the central government and are eligible for small to medium sized manufacturing units, transporters, marketers, traders etc. need to be taken up with the FBO. FSSAI Registration from State Govt.

To apply for a state food license in India, the turnover of the FBO should be between Rs 12 lakh to Rs 20 crore. Other terms include manufacturing units with a capacity of 2MT per day, dairy units handling business up to 5000 liters per day. 3-Star Hotels and above, Repackers, Relabeling Units, Clubs, Canteens All catering businesses, irrespective of their turnover, have to apply for a license. The license period is maximum 5 years and minimum 1 year.

To apply for central license the turnover of FBO should be more than Rs. 20 crore and needs to be operational in two or more states. All importers and exporters have to apply for this license. The maximum tenure is 5 years and the minimum is 1 year.

renewal of license/registration ,

FSSAI license/registration is necessary to start food business, similarly renewal of license is mandatory. The license is issued for a validity of 1 year or 5 years, so the business has to apply for renewal 30 days before the expiry of the current license.

Annual Compliance of Food License in India:

FBO has to file returns. The periodicity of returns is pre-defined based on the type of FBO which is as follows:

1. Only Merchant Exporters can file Quarterly Annual Report through online system
2. FBOs manufacturing milk and/or milk products are required to file half yearly return in Form D-2 and submit the same to the concerned Central/State Licensing Authority for the period from 1st April to 30th September and 1st October to 31st March of each financial year. Must be submitted manually. within one month from the end of the period
3. manufacturers and importers have to file annual return (Form D-1) and submit manually to the concerned Central/State Licensing Authority on or before 31st May of every year for each class of food handled by him during the previous financial year.

Penalties for non-compliance with rules and regulations:

Following is the list of penalties for non-compliance of rules and regulations as defined under the FSS Act, 2006: