The Food Standard and Safety of India (FSSAI) is the legal authority who is responsible for the regulation of food security in India. All the FBOs must get a 14-digit FSSAI registration/license number according to their business activity and turnover and publish it on the food packages to overcome the adulteration in the food products. The FSSAI issues the Central License to all the large FBOs in India. It is the main requirement of the food businesses dealing in manufacturing, storage, distribution, transportation or retailing of food products.

Following are the eligible entities having above stated turnover for applying for state license:

1. According to the eligibility criteria, you are expected to get a Central FSSAI License then they must fill out the application form B according to the guidelines as prescribed by FSSAI. It must be taken care that every data provided must be correct, appropriate and authentic.
2. Focus that the general names must be mentioned for the products and not the brand names.
3. All the products as specified in the license must be certified as per the FSSAI Act, 2006.
4. At last, you will be questioned for how many years you want to apply for Central License. You have to pick the appropriate period for which you wish to take the license. ( between 1-5 year)
5. Post-filing the form, the prescribed fees have to pay either by an online portal or by submitting the demand draft at the FSSAI state office.
6. Your license will be delivered in 25-30 days by post.

• NOC from Municipality or Local Body (optional).
• Ministry of Commerce Certificate for 100% EOU.
• NOC issued by FSSAI.
• Import Export Code issued by DGFT.
• Nomination of Person(s) by a Company(Form IX).
• Certification by the Ministry of Tourism.
• Detailed proof of income in writing.
• Self-declaration of the number of vehicles.
• FSSAI Declaration Form.
• NOC & Copy of License from the manufacturer (Mandatory for Relabellers and Repackers).
• Food Safety Management System Plan or Certificate (if any).

• Source of milk or procurement plan for milk including the location of milk collection centers in case of milk and milk products processing units. (if applicable).
• Source of raw material for meat and meat processing plants. (if applicable).
• Pesticide protection report of water from a recognized laboratory if manufacturing packaged water.
• If applicable a copy of certificate received below the Coop Act – 1861 / Multi-State Coop Act – 2002 in case of Cooperatives.
• List and name of machinery and equipment alongside the quantity, installed capacity and horsepower applied. It is compulsory for production and manufacturing units only.
• Review report Chemical & Bacteriological of water to be applied as an ingredient in food from a verified or public health laboratory to verify the portability. It’s Necessary for manufacturing and processing units.
• Documentary evidence of turnover or self-declaration of a number of vehicles. It’s a compulsory document for Transporters.
• Certificate of Food Safety Management System Plan ( FSMSP) if required

After completing the validity time of registration, there will be a requirement for food license renewal as the registration gets expired. In such case follow the process of FSSAI central license renewal :

• Form B details filling completion. Also, a self-attested declaration and a photo identity proof Aadhar card, voter id, driving license, etc.
• After filling and submitting the form, the authorities will check and confirm the details followed up with an inspection to ensure the authenticity of the documents and details given.
• After completing the investigation, the FSSAI central license will be issued within 30-60 days.

The following Food Business Operators are eligible for Central FSSAI License:

• FBOs like restaurants, retailers, distributors, and suppliers with an annual turnover of more than ₹20 Crores.
• Manufacturing and processing units of vegetable oil by the method of solvent extraction and factories including oil expeller units, with a capacity of over 2 metric tonnes per day.
• Dhaba, club, canteen, and other food vending establishments with branches spread in more than one state and an annual turnover of more than ₹12 Lakhs.
• Wholesalers that have an annual turnover of not less than ₹30 Crores.
• Hotels with rating 5-star or more.
• 100 % export oriented units involved in food production or processing.
• All importers including the import of food ingredients or additives.
• Caterers working under Central Government or related agencies such as Railways, Airlines and airport, Seaport, Defence, etc.
• Storages with a capacity of more than 50,000 metric tonnes,
• Dairy Units (including chilling units), with a capacity to handle or process, over 50,000 liters per day,
• A slaughtering capacity of over 50 large animals or more than 150 small animals or more than 1000 poultry birds per day.
• Controlled Atmosphere + Cold Storage with the capacity of 1,000 MT or more.
• Transporters with more than 100 vehicles. Or turnover of more than ₹30 crores per annum.
• All food processing units including re-packers and excluding the grains, pulses & cereals milling units with a capacity of over 2 metric tonnes per day.
• All FBOs involved in producing an item of food, additive or its ingredient, using some new process or technology, and/or a combination thereof, whose safety has not been established yet by the FSSAI.

It is mandatory by the FSSAI department for all large food business operators to obtain a Central FSSAI license to run their business legally in India. There are various reasons for FSSAI obtaining Central License which are as follows:

• FSSAI monitors the food license of FBOs on a random basis and takes strict actions over those businesses whose licenses have expired or food businesses that don’t have an FSSAI license.
• There is a huge level of consumer trust in the safety and quality of food so it has been more mandatory to continue that trust of the public. So licensing is an important factor, to keep that trust.
• To maintain the trust of consumers, FBOs must print a 14-digit FSSAI License number on their food packages.
• Central License promotes trade without compromising consumer protection and a larger share.
• Central FSSAI License assures that the food products undergo quality checks by reducing the food adulteration and sale of sub-standard products.

FSSAI lays down science-based standards for the food products and it also improves their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import to assure the availability of safe food to 130 crore citizens of the country. As per the FSSAI Licencing system, there are 3 types of FSSAI License Registration i.e. are Basic FSSAI Registration, State and Central FSSAI License. Even after knowing this there is a common confusion among all the FBO’s which License is perfect for our food business?

To simplify your understanding. Look over the table mentioned below.

The central FSSAI license is valid for a period ranging from 1-5 years. The food business can opt between this food period for its central license. After that, the license expires and it requires renewal of the license. It all on FBOs that they want to continue or not. But if they are planning to continue there business they require its renewal.

The Renewal of the food license must be applied from either Form A or Form B before 30 days of the expiry of the existing registration. Any FSSAI License Renewal application filed beyond the expiry date will pay a late fee of ₹100 for each delayed day.
In the case of expiry of the food license, the Food Business Operator should mandatorily terminate all the business activities at the premises.