Central FSSAI License

Central FSSAI License

A Central FSSAI license is a license issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to food businesses operating at a national or central level. This license is required for businesses that manufacture, process, package, store, distribute, or import food products. The Central FSSAI license is valid for a period of 5 years and must be renewed every 5 years to continue operating the food business.

The Central FSSAI license shall be granted to a food business operator who operates a business on a large scale or has a turnover of more than ₹ 20 crores per year. Let us now understand how and why they must receive the FSSAI Central license.

The Central FSSAI License is an important document that ensures that the food products being sold or distributed by the business are safe and of good quality. It is also a way for the FSSAI to regulate the food industry and protect the health and safety of consumers

Benefits of Central FSSAI License

• Consumer Awareness: With the food license, a food business operator (FBO) can promote his/her business for its exceptional quality. Also, this elevates the business as a trusted source in the food market
• Expansion of Business: With a food license, the FBO can expand his/her business to other outlets within or outside the area. The food industry is increasing daily, and it is considered the right time for any food-based business to expand. Hence, the expansion process will be easier with a valid license since FSSAI favours the one with the license
• Usage of FSSAI Logo: The FSSAI logo is used in the packaging, menu card, etc., giving an added advantage to the business owners in promoting their food quality to other consumers. With the logo prominently displayed, consumers can understand that the food is of good quality and the brand is trustworthy
• Business Expansion: Every new company that starts up is willing to extend its operations to new locations and explore new industries and a new customer base. With a valid food permit, it is much easier to expand your business to new regions or to open new outlets. It will make it much easier to get the loan or other funding needed to develop the company, as it gives a sense of trust to the person or bank providing the loan.

Checklist Eligibility for Central FSSAI License

• Milk units includes milk cooling systems designed to handle or process more than 50,000 litres of liquid milk per day or 2500 million tons of solid milk per year
• Vegetable oil processing and production units through solvent extraction processes and refineries, including oil expeller units, produce more than 2 million tons daily
• Slaughter units manage more than 50 large animals or 150 small animals or more than 1,000 poultry birds every day
• Meat processing units that process more than 500 kg of meat per day, or 150 million tons per year
• All proprietary food producers
• All 100% export-oriented units
• Except rice, cereals and pulses, all food processing units, including re-labellers and re-packers, process more than 2 million tons a day
• All importers that import food items, including food ingredients and commercial additives
• Storage units with a capacity of more than 50,000 million tons other than those with a controlled atmosphere and cold environment
• Cold or refrigerated storage with more than 10,000 million tons capacity
• Controlled atmosphere + cold storage with volume over 1000 million tons
• Wholesalers with an annual turnover greater than ₹ 30 crores
• Retailers with turnover above ₹20 crores annually
• Distributors with an annual turnover above ₹20 crores
• Suppliers with an annual turnover above ₹20 crores
• Caterers with an annual turnover above ₹20 crores
• Hotels with ratings of five stars and more
• Restaurants with an annual turnover of more than ₹ 20 crores
• Carriers with more than 100 vehicles or more than ₹ 30 crores of annual turnover
• Marketers whose turnover is equal to ₹ 20 crores per year
• Food catering services provided by central government agencies such as defence, etc., in establishments and units
• Storage or wholesalers or distributors with offices in central government departments
• Food catering facilities at the seaports in different parts of India.

Features of FSSAI Central License

• The FSSAI central license is mandatory for all food businesses operating at a central level, such as imports, exports, and inter-state trade
• The FSSAI central license is valid for five years and can be renewed upon expiration
• The FSSAI central license requires a detailed application process, including submitting relevant documents, such as food safety management plans, laboratory test reports, and proof of financial stability
• The FSSAI central license is issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), a government body responsible for regulating and ensuring the safety and quality of food products in India
• The FSSAI central license holder must adhere to the FSSAI's food safety regulations and guidelines and undergo periodic inspections to ensure compliance
• The FSSAI central license holder must also display the FSSAI license number on all food packages and advertising materials
• The FSSAI central license holder is eligible to participate in various export promotion schemes and international trade fairs and exhibitions.

Steps involved in FSSAI Registration through Vakilsearch

• Step 1: Our food license experts will set up a call with you, and then we will collect all the necessary documents, and we will verify them
• Step 2: After thorough checking your documents, we will start the registration process, and we will keep you updated throughout the process
• Step 3: Once the registration is completed, you will get the FSSAI license

Documents Required for FSSAI Central License

The documents required for FSSAI central license are mostly similar to that of the state license. Likewise, depending on the kind of business, the business owners will also have to submit the following documents:

• A disclosure form declaring all features stated are true
• An authorisation letter to apply for an FSSAI central license
• Form A or Form B
• Cancelled cheque copy
• A self-declared copy of the Food Safety Management System Plan
• Your passport-size photographs
• Copy of rent agreement or the documents of the property
• Copy of NOC by municipality or panchayat
• If you own a food factory or bases, business papers are required
• In case the office premises is leased property, a model of the rent agreement is required
• Additionally, a self-declared copy of the Food Safety Management System Plan
• A copy of the electric power and water bill of the business community
• Moreover, a copy of the Aadhar card of the owner or manager of the company.

Consequences and Penalties for Non-Compliance

Each individual authorised or approved by the FSSAI must follow the rules and regulations outlined in the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006. The food security officer conducts a general inspection of the food production facility and agrees on compliance using the checklist. The food protection officer describes it in keeping with the standard of conformity as

• Compliance (C)
• Non-compliance (NC)
• Partial compliance (CP)
• Not observed/Not applicable (NA).

The following are the penalties for non-compliance with Food Safety and Standards Act.

• If the food quality does not comply with the Act, the fine amount is ₹ 25,000 for a small manufacturer of ₹ 2 lakh turnover
• If the food is below standards, the fine is ₹ 5 lakhs
• For misbranded foods -The fine amount is ₹3 lakhs
• With an inaccurate representation of the product or deceptive advertising- The fine amount is ₹ 10 lakhs
• For non-compliance with Food Safety Officer's instructions- The penalty value is ₹ 2 lakhs
• For unhygienic manufacturing or processing -The fine amount is ₹ 1 lakh
• For extraneous food items -The fine sum is ₹ 1 crore.

Penalty if a Company Operates Without an FSSAI License

A food business owner or operator conducts business operations without acquiring FSSAI license shall be punishable as specified in the Act. The person or firm found guilty of any violation may be punished with up to six months ' imprisonment and a fine.

Penalty if the Food Article Is Sub-Standard

If a person or a company is found selling substandard quality of food and flouting the compliance requirements, the same shall be penalised with a fine.

Penalty if a Food Item Is Below the Specified Standard

If an individual or a business is found selling lower quality of food and violating the criteria of enforcement, then it shall be penalised with a fine. The owners or companies exempted for non-compliance under subparagraph (2 ) of section 31 of this Act shall be liable for a penalty.

Penalty for Faulty Branding

If an individual or a business produces or engages in the storage, selling, distribution, or importation of misbranded food products, a penalty shall be levied with a fine. He or she will either have to destroy those food items or take immediate measures.

Penalty for Food Items Containing Unwanted or Foreign Matter

When an individual or a corporation manufactures, sells, or imports food products for human consumption that are found to contain extraneous or alien content, they are liable for a fine. Food businesses in India need to ensure compliance with FSSAI regulations to protect the health and safety of consumers and avoid potential consequences and penalties. If you have any questions about FSSAI regulations or the consequences of non-compliance, you should consult with a legal professional or seek guidance from the FSSAI.

Why Vakilsearch?

Vakilsearch has group of lawyers and FSSAI experts who will assist you in the Central FSSAI license registration. Our team of food license experts at Vakilsearch can help you complete the FSSAI License registration process from start to finish. We have a team of lawyers working for each state who are dedicated to getting the FSSAI license complied with the respective state rules. Vakilsearch’s experts will guide you throughout the entire registration process, making it less stressful to handle everything. Feel free to talk to our experts at Vakilsearch if you have any queries regarding food license registration.