Overview of Food License in Punjab
Over the last few years, India has witnessed a massive increase in food businesses. Many food products have been manufactured in the country or imported from others, especially in Punjab. It is imperative to get a food license to run a food business.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the food corporation body of India, established under the provisions of Food Safety and Standards 2006 in August 2011. Although it was established by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, FSSAI is considered an independent organisation.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has a regulatory body within every state that provides the FSSAI food license to every food business within that state. Hence, every food business operator in Punjab is assigned an FSSAI license via the FSSAI regulatory body in Punjab.
FSSAI is responsible for preserving and improving public health by controlling and administering food safety. Every Food Business Operator (FBO) in Mizoram is required to obtain a 14-digit FSSAI license.
Benefits of Food License in Punjab
There are various benefits of FSSAI license registration in Punjab that are linked to manufacturing, processing, storing, packaging, and distributing food materials. They are.
Customer Awareness About Business:
People don't hesitate to look for the best available options, while some also engage in extensive research. Low-quality brands make people question the safety of the food products they consume daily.
It has become even more critical for them to believe in the brand or product before they can purchase it. Hence, FSSAI registration in Punjab, with a food license, will give businesses in Punjab a competitive edge.
Statutory Advantages:
Many business owners believe that getting an FSSAI License is both expensive and time-consuming. This makes them avoid the whole process. The FSSAI license fee in Punjab is believed to be less expensive compared to other states, and the overall process is also considered efficient and quick.
It is recommended that the business owners secure the license upfront to avoid penalties. Moreover, the legal consequences of not having a license can take up more time and attract penalties that may cost more than the food license fee in the State of Punjab.
Expansion of Business:
By getting a food license in Punjab, a business owner can expand his/her business to other outlets in the same area or other areas. Furthermore, having a license will make getting a bank loan or external funds for expansion easier.
Use of The FSSAI Logo:
The FSSAI logo can be printed on pamphlets, menu cards, packaging, etc, so that the customers can know. This allows business owners to publicise their food’s quality and standards.
Types of Food Licenses
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India FSSAI issues three different types of food licenses in Punjab. They are:
- Central License
- State License
- Basic Registration
1. Central License:
Food business producers such as importers, export-oriented units, large groups, and operators in the central government organisations, terminals, ports, etc., are required to take a central food license.
The central government issues the central food license. Moreover, FBOs require a central license for their head office and if they have operations in more than one state.
2. State License:
Food business operators involved in small to medium-sized businesses, accommodation services, transporters, retailers, marketers, publishers, etc., are required to get the FSSAI state license.
The state government issues the state license, and FBOs must operate in only one state to get a state license.
3. Basic Registration:
Food business operators involved in small food businesses and small-sized companies, accommodation units, transporters, retailers, marketers, publishers, etc., are required to get the FSSAI Registration issued by the state government.
Renewal of FSSAI License in Punjab - Procedure
Step 1: You need to check in with the food safety officer to get 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.
This is how you can get an FSSAI license when you apply it manually, or you can apply through Vakilsearch where our legal experts will take care of the entire process.
There are two types of penalties imparted to the food business by FSSAI.
1. Penalty on delayed renewal for FSSAI Licence
If the documentation of the application hasn’t been completed within the stipulated time, there will be a penalty of ₹ 100 per day until the completion of the FSSAI Licence renewal process.
2. Penalty on delayed FSSAI registration renewal
The Punjab Food Authority License Fees for registration will be collected again if the renewal of the existing license hasn’t been completed within the said period.
Documents Required for the FSSAI Registration Process
The Food Business Operator (FBO) must furnish all the below-mentioned do to avail of the food license.
- Application form(either Form A or Form B)
- Layout sketch of the business processing unit
- Certificate or plan for Food Safety Management System
- Detailed list of directors/partners/executives along with their contact details
- NOC obtained from the municipality or other relevant authorities
- Manufacturers’ NOC and license copy (applied for re-labelers and re-packers)
- Premise ownership proof
- Nomination of personnel by a company and board resolution
- An Authorisation letter with the details of the person nominated by the manufacturer and entitled powers (if any)
- Details of the alternative person nominated in the absence of the original entitled person.
- Plan for recall, when necessary
- Copy of your identification proofs like PAN card, passport, driving license, or Aadhar card
- Bank account statement
- Food safety management strategy
- FSMS Certificate
- Proprietorship affidavit (if FBO is a proprietorship firm)
- MOA and AOA of the firm (if FBO is a company)
- Deed of partnership (if FBO is a partnership firm)
Why Vakilsearch?
Vakilsearch’s experts guide you throughout the entire process, making it less stressful to handle everything. Our company experts can help you swiftly file your FSSAI license and provide comprehensive guidance regarding food licenses. Over 50,000 firms in India do business with us, making us India's #1 legal platform.
Feel free to talk to our experts at Vakilsearch if you have any queries regarding food license registration.
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