Food License in Puducherry - Overview
FSSAI stands for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India India, which provides mandatory food licenses in Puducherry and the rest of India. To start a food business in Puducherry, the business operator must register and get an FSSAI food license online.
With an FSSAI license, a food business can provide quality food to its consumers. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, set up The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) as an independent authority.
It has been in conjunction with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare ever since its establishment in August 2011 under the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006.
The FSSAI provides food licenses through its regulatory body in each state. It is indicated in the Food Safety and Standards Licensing of Food Businesses Regulations that every business owner in Puducherry must make an application to the designated officer requesting a food license.
Benefits of Food License in Puducherry
A business operator has benefited immensely from having a food license in Puducherry. The main aim behind issuing licenses is to protect and promote public health. Various regulations are imposed and constant supervision is carried out to secure the public’s health from unhealthy food consumption.
Many business owners find the process of obtaining a food license as a tedious and expensive affair. Having said that, there are innumerable benefits received by having a food license. Some of the major benefits include
Customers’ Awareness of the Business and the Quality of Food:
With the food license in hand, 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.
By not availing of the food license, the business owners are losing an opportunity to enhance their credibility with their consumers. Hence, an FSSAI license gives the business operator a competitive edge in the market.
Avoid Penalties:
As mentioned earlier, many business owners find getting a food license tiresome, with a lot of documentation work. Firstly, the cost involved in getting the license in Puducherry is cheap compared to the other states.
Second, the penalty for not getting a license in the first place will cost more than the food license fee. Third, the overall process of applying for a license is considered very quick and economical.
Expansion of Business:
With the food license, the FBO can expand his/her business to other outlets within or outside the area. The food industry is peeking higher every day, and it is considered the right time for any food-based businesses to expand.
Hence, with a valid license, the expansion process will be easier since FSSAI favors the one with the license. Banks and external fund providers are also known to favor the licensed business and not others.
Usage of FSSAI Logo:
The FSSAI logo is used in the packaging, menu card, etc. giving an additional 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.
Types of Food Licenses Issued in Puducherry
There are three licenses issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India in Puducherry. They are as follows:
1. Central License:
If the business is operated in more than one state, then the FBO must apply for a central license. This license will function as a permit for the business to be present in multiple states. This license is mostly for manufacturers, importers, exporters, etc. The Central Government issues it.
2. State License:
If the business is operated within a state and its annual turnover is between ₹ 12 lakhs to ₹ 20 lakhs, then the business operator may get a state license as a permit.
The State government issues this FSSAI license. This will allow him/her to perform business operations within the state limits. The FBOs permitted state licenses are SMEs, distributors, transporters, marketers, etc.
3. Basic Registration:
The basic registration of food license is provided to FBOs with annual turnover less than ₹ 12 lakhs, issued by the State government.
The FBOs usually issued basic registration licenses include SMEs, small manufacturers, retailers, distributors, etc.
The validity of these licenses varies from 1 to 5 years.
How to Register/Renew Food License in Puducherry
The following steps are followed while registering for a food license.
- Step 1: Apply for Form A or Form B based on the annual turnover. Based on the qualification criteria of your food business, you can apply in form B to the concerned central licensing authority.
- Step 2: Include a self-attested declaration necessary to abide by the Foood Safety and Standards Act's rules.
- Step 3: The Authorities for FSSAI License renewal will inspect the food business and your documents.
- Step 4: The concerned licensing officials shall issue the FSSAI License renewal within 60 days.
- Step 5: If from the date of receiving your application, an FSSAI License renewal is not declared within 60 days or the candidate has not received any intimation in this respect, the candidate may initiate his/her food business without waiting for other information.
When the business operator delays the registration or the renewal of the license, there are two types of penalties imposed by the FSSAI on the FBO.
- Penalty for Delayed Renewal for FSSAI License
- Penalty on Delayed Registration for FSSAI License
In both these cases, there is a penalty fee involved.
This is how you can get an FSSAI license when you apply it manually or through Vakilsearch, where our legal experts will take care of the entire process.
Documents required for registering a Food License
The following documents are required for food license registration:
- Business Operator’s Photograph
- Evidence for Premise Possession Confirmation
- MoA/ AoA/ Certificate of Incorporation/ Partnership Deed.
- Product list (manufactured/processed/stored food list).
- Plan on Food safety management system.
- Form-B in case of State/Central license. (Signed and completely furnished)
- Signed and completely furnished Form-A in case of registration.
- A nominated person in the place of a business owner or for any other authorized position.
- Payment of the fee included.
Why Vakilsearch?
Vakilsearch has a handful of legal experts with whom you can get all doubts clarified when you register for the FSSAI license. We cater to each customer's needs during registration.
You can get assistance from our team of food license experts at Vakilsearch with completing registering for the FSSAI license from start to finish.
.png){kind=small}
