Every Food Business Operator in the country has to mandatorily register or get a license from the FSSAI. What does the FSSAI Certification Number mean? Let us decode the FSSAI Certification Number in this article.
What Is FSSAI?
The Food Security and Standards Authority of India(FSSAI) is the apex body that monitors the health and hygiene of all the food and beverage products in the country. Lets Discuss about FSSAI Certification Number in this article.
All the Food Business Operators (FBOs) in India must get certified by the FSSAI. All FBOs must adhere to the guidelines of FSSAI. Non-compliance with the regulatory standards of FSSAI would attract penalties.
Kinds of Certification From the FSSAI
Based on the turnover of your food business, you need to apply for one of the following:
- Basic Registration: Registration is mandatory for all FBOs in the country whose annual turnover does not cross ₹12 lakhs
- State FSSAI license: For all FBOs that have an annual turnover between ₹12 lakhs to ₹20 crores, a state license is a must
- Central FSSAI license: If the annual turnover of your business exceeds ₹20 crores, you must apply for a central license.
What Does an FSSAI Certification Number Look Like?
An FSSAI Certification Number issued to any food business would comprise 14 digits. A uniform numbering system of licenses is issued by the food authority to each FBO that applies to the FSSAI. Here’s an example:
Here is a complete breakdown of each segment
Decoding the FSSAI Certification Number
The FSSAI Certification Number is divided into 5 sections. Each section of the license number represents some information about the FBO that helps them segregate the categories of the FBOs
Section 1
The first section is the first digit. It represents whether the food business owns an FSSAI registration or an FSSAI license. If it is FSSAI registration, the 1st digit will be ‘1’. And if the business has a FoSCoS FSSAI renewal, the 1st digit would be ‘2’.
Section 2
The 2nd and 3rd digits of the FSSAI Certification Number are included in the second section. They represent the FSSAI certification state code in which the business is registered and operational. A central license is denoted by ‘00’ while any state license is denoted by successive digits.
Section 3
The 4th and the 5th digits of the FSSAI Certification Number are a part of the third section that represents the year in which the food business operator received the license/registration from the FSSAI.
Section 4
The 6th, 7th, and 8th digits are included in section 4 of the FSSAI number. These represent the Registrar Officer under whose jurisdiction the FSSAI license or registration falls. Each state assigns a Registrar Officer to these digits from 001 to 999
Section 5
It includes the rest of the FSSAI Certification Number from the 9th to 14th digits. These digits represent the serial number of the FBO under a specific Registrar Officer. It represents the unique FSSAI number. Each Registrar Officer can hold a food business up to 10 lakh or serial numbers up to 999999.
How to Apply for Registration/License Online
- Visit the FoSCoS portal
- Select your food business category from the list of kind of business(KoB)
- Fill out Form A for registration, and Form B for licensing
- Submit the required documents, and self-attest them if needed
- Make the payment
- The authorities will verify all your details and documents
- On being satisfied, the statutory authority will grant you a license or a registration number within 45 to 60 days.
How to Check FSSAI License Number Online
Verify the authenticity of an FSSAI License by following simple online steps. Ensure compliance and gain confidence in your food business by easily checking the FSSAI License Number through online verification. Here is a complete step-by-step process for checking the FSSAI license online:
Step 1: Visit the FoSCoS website or Foodlicenceonline.com
Step 2: On the homepage, locate and click on the ‘FBO Search’ tab
Step 3: Enter the FSSAI license number and captcha
Step 4: Click the ‘Submit’ button
Step 5: View the FSSAI license details displayed on the screen
Step 6: If using the FoSCoS website, input login information and captcha before clicking ‘Submit
FSSAI Renewal
The validity of the food license issued to operators can range from 1 to 5 years, with corresponding fees varying accordingly. According to FSSAI regulations, operators must apply for renewal at least 30 days before the current license expires.
Failure to renew on time incurs penalties: ₹100 per day for FSSAI License renewal (state and Central). Failure to renew FSSAI registration results in a lapse, necessitating a new application to continue operations. The FSSAI license or registration remains valid until the renewal application is processed, typically within 30 days after the license expiration.
Conclusion
All FBOs must print the 14-digit FSSAI Certification Number on all their product labels. Restaurants and hotels must display their license certificates in an area of vicinity at their premises. Display of the FSSAI logo and certificate will be an indication of the compliance by the FBO to the regulatory standards of the FSSAI. You can seek the help of professionals like Vakilsearch to help you apply for an FSSAI license registration or certification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FSSAI a 17 digit number?
No, FSSAI numbers are 14 digits long.
What is the 14-digit FSSAI number?
The 14-digit FSSAI number is a unique identification for food businesses.
How can I check my FSSAI certificate online?
You can check your FSSAI certificate online through the FSSAI website or mobile app.
How do I download my FSSAI certificate?
To download your FSSAI certificate, log in to the FSSAI portal and navigate to the certificate section for downloading
Who needs FSSAI certification?
Any food business operator, including manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, needs FSSAI certification.
Who will issue the FSSAI certificate?
FSSAI certificates are issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
Who is eligible for FSSAI?
Any individual or entity involved in food manufacturing, processing, packaging, or distribution is eligible for FSSAI registration or license.
Is GST mandatory to get FSSAI license?
No, GST registration is not required to obtain an FSSAI license.
Which are the three types of FSSAI license?
The three types of FSSAI licenses are Basic License, State License, and Central License.
What is a basic food license?
A basic food license is the entry-level license suitable for small-scale food businesses with limited turnover and production capacities.
