The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the regulatory agency in charge of food safety in India. The agency is responsible for establishing rules and regulations for various FBOs (Food Business Operators) throughout India. FBOs include food and edible item manufacturers, food packaging and transportation operators, merchants, wholesalers of various food items, hotel and canteen proprietors, quick food outlets, and small tea shops. These FBOs are required to register with the FSSAI and obtain a licence, failing which they would be fined. However, the type of licence that FBOs obtain is determined by a number of variables.
Types of FSSAI State and Central Licenses
For certain FBOs, the FSSAI is in charge of both registration and licencing. Depending on the amount of turnover
The fssai food license varies depending on the type of business and its size. There are three licences available to an FBO:
- Basic Registration with the FSSAI
- State FSSAI License
- Central FSSAI License
The state government issues the basic registration to small-scale operators such as manufacturers and merchants. The Central and State licences are the two basic types of licences issued by the FSSAI. The licence is valid for a minimum of one year and a maximum of five years after it is issued.
FSSAI State License:
Medium-sized FBOs, such as manufacturers, persons, or organisations involved in storage, those in the retail industry, transporters, distributors, and those involved in the marketing of food-related commodities, are required to obtain this licence. Businesses of this nature are only permitted to operate on a state level. Furthermore, the annual revenue of these FBOs ranges from 12 lakhs to 20 crores. Before beginning operations, these businesses should get a state licence. The licence is valid for a minimum of one year and a maximum of five years.
FSSAI Central License:
FBOs with an annual revenue of more than 20 crores are eligible for the Central licence. This licence is required for exporters, operators dealing with food goods in central government institutions, airports, and those in charge of proprietary food enterprises. Businesses with activities in many states are required to obtain a central licence. They must essentially file for the licence in the state where the head office is located, along with the relevant documentation. The licence granted is valid for a minimum of one year and a maximum of five years, after which it must be renewed on a regular basis.
The distinctions between a state and a federal licence are as follows:
The location of the firm, the yearly revenue of the businesses, and the nature of the business activity carried out are the key variations between a state and a central licence. A central licence is granted to firms having an annual turnover of more than 20 crores and that operate in many states, whereas a state licence is issued to enterprises with an annual revenue of Rs. 12 lakhs to 20 crores and that only operate in one state.
Changes to the FSSAI License:
If they start operating in additional states or if their annual turnover reaches 12 lakhs, FBOs can request a licence amendment, such as going from a state to a central licence (or vice versa). The procedure is known as licence modification. The Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 governs the process, which is overseen by the FSSAI’s authorities.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Only FBOs that already have a licence can make changes to it. If the application is terminated or rejected, the FBO has three months to reapply.
A revision of the FSSAI licence is required when there is a change of ownership.
The following groups are eligible to apply for a licence modification:
- FSSAI-licensed FBOs who are already registered
- Food producers and manufacturers
- Food processing facilities of various types
- Repackers and re-labelers are those who repackage and re-label products.
- Distributors