FSSAI State License In India

Overview of FSSAI State License

In India, it is compulsory to get a license from the concerned authority before starting a food business. This license is known as FSSAI License and it comes in three different categories, the basic FSSAI license, the state FSSAI license, and the central FSSAI license. Any organisation will be required to take any of these three licenses depending upon their scale of operations and annual turnover. Small and medium-sized producers, retailers, distributors, marketers, and anyone engaged in the food industry and associated activities must hold a State FSSAI License. Moreover, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, also known as FSSAI is the body that grants FSSAI licenses to owners in the food sector and also supervises their business activities.

For the grant of this license, the food operator must operate in a single state only. All food units that trade within a particular state in India and have an annual turnover between Rs 12 lakhs to Rs 20 crores must get an FSSAI State License. This license has a minimum validity duration of one year extendable up to five years.

What is the role of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India?

Since most private food units operate without any regulations, FSSAI has imposed strict standards on them. Without exception, the FSSAI has made it compulsory for all food establishments to get an FSSAl license. To guarantee the highest standards of food safety and cleanliness, FSSAI has implemented required regulations for food business operations and regulated the manufacture, storage, sale, and distribution processes. In order to raise public awareness and provide reliable information on food safety and cleanliness, the authority has also established a genuine information network. The roles and responsibilities of FSSAI can be understood as under:

• Creating standards and criteria for the food industry.
• Introducing campaigns to raise awareness about food safety.
• Providing guidelines for owners of food businesses.
• Establishing standards and guidelines for labs that test food.
• Gathering Information on Toxins in Food Products.
• To make recommendations easier for the Indian government to formulate new laws.
• Using a rapid warning system to quickly identify problems with food products that are available to the general public.

What are the Benefits of getting an FSSAI State License?

The advantages of obtaining an FSSAI state license are mentioned below:

Brand Recognition

Customers and the general public are more likely to see and recognize a brand that has a valid food license and a logo. Moreover, the customers are more likely to recognize quality and branded food items.

Increases reliability

Enhancing and building trust is possible and easy for businesses of all sizes with a valid food license. A licensed food outlet looks more genuine and reliable than an unlicensed one.

Retention of Customers

The FSSAI Logo ensures the quality of the food and therefore customers are assured that the food item they are consuming is reliable and of good quality. Therefore, your customers stay loyal which helps in retaining the previous customers, which is a very important process in any business.

Advantage in Marketplace

We all are aware of the existing competition in the food market. Therefore, an FSSAI license gives your business an edge over the other food businesses and you become capable of competing with them.

Ensures Food Safety and Hygiene

FSSA food license is known for providing a guarantee to the customers that the food they are consuming is prepared while maintaining proper hygiene and is safe.

Growth and Diversification

If a business has an FSSAI license, then it will become easy for them to grow and expand in the future. Growth depends upon customers and when they are satisfied with your food quality and standard, then your business will surely witness more customers, resulting in the growth of the company.

Eligibility Criteria for getting an FSSAI State License

The food company owners listed below must apply for a state license from the appropriate state licensing body:

• FBOs with yearly turnovers of more than 12 lacs but less than 20 crores. The maximum turnover for a state license for transporters is thirty crores.
• Every mill that processes pulses, grains, or cereals needs a state FSSAI license.
• Up to 101 kg/2 MT Liters of food (apart from milk and meat items) are produced daily by FBO.
• Dairy facilities, such as milk chilling facilities, that get, handle, and collect milk in the range of 501 to 50,000 liters a day or 2.5 MT to 2,500 MT of milk solids annually.
• Every slaughterhouse had the following capacity for slaughter:
• Big Animals: 30 – 50
• Small Animals: 11 – 150
• Poultry Birds: 51 – 1000

Documents Required for FSSAI State License

The following documents are required to obtain an FSSAI State License:

• A list of the owners, executives, and business partners, together with their complete addresses and phone numbers.
• A passport-sized picture of the applicant.
• Identity documents such as a voter ID card, passport, Aadhaar, or Pan card.
• Photocopies of property documents.
• Address proof, mobile number, telephone number, mobile bill; Electricity or gas bill. (Only in cases of owned property).
• A copy of the registration received under any statutory act.
• A copy of the Partnership Deed, in case of a partnership firm.
• MOA, or AOA of the company, in case of company.
• A copy of the Rent Agreement and Landlord’s NOC, in case of rented property.
• Information on the raw material source.
• NOCs from local or municipal bodies.
• DGFT-issued E-Code document.
• Form IX for nomination of an individual.
• Any other information or documents required by FosCos.

FSSAI State License Registration Procedure

The scope of operation and annual turnover are the main factors considered when granting an FSSAI license. Therefore, if you wish to get an FSSAI State License then follow the below-mentioned steps:

Step 1: Document collection and Form Filing

The very first step is to collect the necessary documents and file Form B which requires certain important and basic details about the applicant and the organisation.

Step 2: Application Submission

The next step is to log in to the online portal of FOSCOS and submit the completed Form B to the licensing authorities. Make sure that the form is complete and the details filled in are accurate. Moreover, pay the requisite fees along with submitting the form in order to complete the filing procedure.

Step 3: Examination of Application

The concerned authorities of the team of FSSAI will carefully review and examine the submitted application and verify every detail.

Step 4: On-site Inspection of the Premises

To ascertain the degree of compliance at business premises, FSSAl representatives may, if necessary, do an on-site inspection. This inspection is conducted to ensure and check whether the organisation is complying with the necessary regulations and compliances.

Step 5: Grant of FSSAI License

The licensing authority grants the State FSSA license but is satisfied with the application and believes that the entity and its operator is following all the necessary food compliances. Moreover, if the application is not in compliance, the licensing authority may reject it).

FSSAI State License Fees

FSSAI state license fee is set at ₹2000 by the government. This fee is required for obtaining or renewing a state license for food business operators under the Food Safety and Standards Act.

Penalty for Non-Compliance

FBOs are often subject to very harsh fines in India, and non-compliance will result in huge penalties. Officials from the FSSAI can audit a business anytime and without notifying the owner. The Food Safety and Standards Act, of 2006 stipulates that the involved organization must pay fines if they discover any compliance management flaws. The penalties for non-compliance are mentioned below:

• Non-compliance or breaking any provision of the Food Safety and Standards Act, of 2006 will result in a fine of Rs 2 lakh, and for small manufacturers, the fine will be Rs 25,000.
• Selling Sub-standard food will result in a fine of Rs 5 lakhs.
• If the company sells any misbranded food item, then they will incur a penalty of Rs 3 lakhs.
• Any false advertisement that misleads people or if any food item contains a false description, then it will cost a penalty of Rs 10 lakhs.
• If it is found that any unhygienic process is used in manufacturing or processing the food items, then the penalty will be Rs 1 lakh.
• If any organisation does not follow the order of the food safety officer, then the fine for this act will be Rs 2 lakhs.