General Facts about FSSAI License and Registration
                     GENERAL FACTS ABOUT 
FSSAI LICENSE AND 
REGISTRATION
IN THIS ARTICLE, YOU WILL COME TO KNOW ABOUT THE GENERAL 
FACTS REGARDING THE FSSAI LICENSE AND REGISTRATION.
GENERAL FACTS ABOUT FSSAI LICENSE AND 
REGISTRATION
• FSSAI stands for Food standards and safety authority of India. 
It is the prime authority which is responsible for regulating 
and maintaining the food safety. FSSAI is compulsory for all 
the Food Business Operators (FBO’s) in order to get FSSAI 
License. Consequently, FSSAI was established under the act 
of food safety and security act, 2006. It is a general 
organization made for protecting the health of the people. 
The common confusion among the FBO’s is the license which 
the businessman is required to obtain
OVERVIEW OF FSSAI:
• FSSAI registration can be done in 1-2 days and the 
license can be obtained in 10-12 working days. 
FSSAI lays down science-based standards for the 
articles of food and it regulates their manufacturing, 
storage, distribution, sale and import in order to 
deliver safe and also wholesome food to 130 citizens 
of the country. Simultaneously, the chairperson of 
the FSSAI is appointed by the central government 
amongst the persons who are in the field of home 
science. It is compulsory for all the manufactures, 
traders and restaurants to get this certificate.
GENERAL BENEFITS OF FSSAI:
Specifically, food license issued by the FSSAI is regarded as a permit which is required to 
operate a food related business and also in order to ensure good quality food in your business 
and for the benefits of one from the government actions. But, some of the entrepreneurs 
supervise the importance of FSSAI license as how this license can be used as an effective 
marketing tool to boost their business. The FSSAI license can be used in the following ways:
1. CUSTOMER AWARENESS:
In addition, the customers becomes more alert and informative about the quality of food they 
eat. Moreover, with the number of diets and increasing of the healthy eating food options, 
people are necessary to know as to what they are consuming is not just safe but is of really 
good quality. More so after the recent controversy with Maggi, are proving the consumers 
have started to take the food safety standard seriously.
2. LEGAL ADVANTAGE:
Most of the business people thinks getting an FSSAI license as an expensive, time consuming and also 
an inconvenient process of documentation, so avoid getting the license. But, in reality, the process is 
not so cumbersome and there are a lot of consultancies that can help you get the license with ease
3. USING THE FSSAI LOGO: 
Once you have the license, you can skillfully use the FSSAI logo in your menu cards and also in the 
pamphlets in order to publicize your food’s superior quality over others.  However, this gives you an 
edge over the many food operators who are not having the license. Moreover, all the packaged foods 
are required to have an FSSAI number. The logo is thus placed as a mark of validity and also for 
assurance by the consumers. It helps in developing a brand name.
4. BUSINESS EXPANSION:
Consequently, with the help of FSSAI registration you can easily expand your businesses. The license 
will easily help you to establish your reputation and also your value to grow your business in a good 
direction with ease. Moreover, the license can be used to get bank loans easily and also for funding 
which is required for the expansion. 
WHY IS FSSAI REGISTRATION 
IMPORTANT?
Every business operator who is involved in the food business–
manufacturing, processing, storage, distribution, and sale should 
compulsorily have an FSSAI registration. 14-digit FSSAI license 
number is printed on all the food packages.
Further, the main purpose of the FSSAI registration is to create 
more responsibility on the part of the Food Business Operator 
(FBO) in terms of the quality of the food. The FSSAI certificate of 
the FBO ensures the quality and safety of the food products. It is 
important for every manufacturer to print the FSSAI license 
number of the product.
GENERAL TYPE OF FOOD LICENSES:
FSSAI, issues three different types of license namely:
• Central license
• State license
• Basic FSSAI registration
The detailed information about the three food licenses.
FSSAI REGISTRATION STATE LICENSE:
In fact, food business operators such as small to medium sized manufacturers, storage units, 
transporters, retailers, marketers, distributors etc. are required to obtain the FSSAI State License.
The State Government issues the state license. It is important for all the food operators who operate 
food in only 1 state. It is mostly for the units having an annual turnover more than 12 lakh.
FSSAI REGISTRATION: 
The Food business operators like minor food manufacturers and also small-sized manufacturers, 
storage units, transporters, retailers, marketers, distributors etc. are required to obtain the FSSAI 
Registration.
The FSSAI Registration is issued by the State Government. Depending upon the eligibility, an FBO 
will fall under the State or Registration license. It is mostly for the units having an annual turnover 
which is up to 12 lakh.
 FSSAI REGISTRATION CENTRAL LICENSE:
 Food business operators such as the Importers, 100% Export Oriented Units, large manufacturers, 
operators in the Central Government agencies, airports, and seaports etc. are required to obtain a 
Central Food License. The Central Government issues the central license. Furthermore, FBOs have 
to obtain the Central License for their head office, and if they operate food in more than 1 state. It 
is mostly for the units who are having an annual turnover which is greater than 20 crores.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FSSAI 
REGISTRATION & FSSAI LICENSE:
In general, as per the Food Safety and Standards Regulation, 2011, 
all food operator must obtain FSSAI registration, if they are 
involved in the sale, distribution, transportation, storage, and 
manufacturing of the food products. The basic difference between 
the FSSAI license and the FSSAI registration is based on the size 
and nature of the FBO.
FSSAI REGISTRATION:
FSSAI registration is required for Food Business Operators who:
• Manufacture or sell any food article himself or a retailer, itinerant vendor, hawker, etc.
• Distributes food in religious and social gatherings, except a caterer
• Other businesses related to food whose annual turnover does not exceed INR 12 lakhs and
• Their food production capacity should not exceed 100kg or litre/day (other than products like 
meat and meat products and milk and milk products)
• collection of milk it up to 500-liter milk/day
• Their slaughtering capacity is 50 poultry birds or 10 small animals or 2 large animals/day
All the FBO’s are required to obtain the FSSAI registration. They can obtain the license by 
submitting an FSSAI registration form in Form A. After the submission of the application form, 
the FSSAI registration will be processed by the authority within 7 days.
The information in the FSSAI registration includes the details of the registration and a 
photograph of the applicant. It is mandatory to display the certificate at the food business 
place, at all the times.
FSSAI LICENSE:
All the entity who does not classify as business operators are required to obtain the FSSAI 
license in India. The FSSAI license is of two types, State FSSAI License and Central FSSAI 
License.
The licensing authority changes based on the size and nature of the business. The large food 
manufacturers, transporters, processors, or importers are required to obtain the Central 
FSSAI license whereas the medium-sized food manufacturers require State FSSAI License.
The fee and procedure for FSSAI License are extensive in comparison to FSSAI registration. 
An FSSAI license can be obtained by filling the particulars in Form B along with the self-
attested affidavit, declaration, and annexures. Usually, an FSSAI License is granted for 1-5 
years as requested by the FBO. Noteworthy, the higher the number of years, the higher the 
applicable fees will be to obtain the FSSAI license. The registration can be renewed not later 
than 30 days prior to the expiry date of the license.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF FOOD 
SAFETY:
Section 18 of the FSSAI provides for the general principles which are to be followed by the 
various authorities while implementing the provisions of the Act such as endeavor to achieve 
an appropriate level of protection of human life and health and the protection of consumers’ 
interests, carrying out risk management, etc.
Further, there are general provisions related to food products are mentioned in the Chapter IV 
of the Act. These provisions includes the regulation of additives use or processing aid in the 
food or the presence of contaminants, insecticides, veterinary drugs residues or pesticides 
residues, etc. in the food products. Consequently, there are certain general provisions dealing 
with the packaging and labelling of foods.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR FSSAI 
REGISTRATION:
The following documents required for the FSSAI registration are:
• Form A – Duly filed and signed
• Photo identity of the food business operator
• Possession of premises proof, such as a rental agreement
• Partnership Deep/ Articles of Association/ Certificate of Incorporation, etc.
• List of the food items to be dealt with
• Food safety management plan
THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT OBTAINING 
THE FSSAI LICENSE OR REGISTRATION:
In fact, all the persons registered under the FSSAI have to follow to the FSSAI rules and regulations. 
The Food Safety Officer conducts inspection of the facility provided by the food business operator 
and also identifies the level of compliance, if any, using his checklist. The officer marks the FBO 
based on the compliance level such as:
• Compliance (C)
• Non-compliance (NC)
• Partial Compliance (PC)
• Non-applicable/ not observed (NA)
In case the food safety officer issues an improvement notice to the FBO and he fails to comply with 
it, then the officer will cancel his registration. The decision of the officer thereon can be challenged 
through appealing in the Food Safety Appellate Tribunal or High Court.
GENERAL PROCEDURE TO OBTAIN FSSAI 
REGISTRATION OR LICENSE:
The procedure to obtain FSSAI registration or license is:
• The first step for FSSAI registration is submitting FORM A or B to the food and safety 
department.
• The application will be processed by the department within 7 days. The fact will be 
intimated to the applicant in hand-written.
• In case, the FSSAI application is accepted, then the Food and Safety Department will 
grant registration certificate along with the registration number and the photo of the 
applicant.
• The food business operator must display the registration certificate in the office 
premises or print the FSSAI registration license number on the food product.
CONCLUSION:
In fact, food security and safety are a major concerns in each 
and every place. Food, being an absolute necessity, it should 
be safe and fit for consumption. FSSAI has made it compulsory 
for all food-related business to register, or get a license, as it 
hopes to prevent these casualties.