How to Get FSSAI Certificate in India For Your Catering Business

by Rail Recipe Director

Do you know how RailRecipe promises to deliver hygienic food in train? And how more restaurant partners can associate with us as the restaurant business has emerged as a profitable business segment driving high revenue. We are currently in the era of customer awareness where customers wants to eat food safely prepared and certified to get value for money, to claim for grievance redressal if someone cheats on them on their products & services. Every customer now is well educated and looks for certifications and accreditations to decide why to buy particular product & services being offered to them.

Today let’s understand what FSSAI accreditation is, why it is important, how to register in and how to renew the food license:-

• What is FSSAI?

FSSAI stands for Food Safety and Standard Authority of India which is also an accreditation or Compliance Badge given to Food Business Operators(FBO) along with food license to certify that the food Business Operator currently being certified has been properly audited for complying with rules & regulations as prescribed to FBOs by FSSAI regulatory body as per Food Safety & Standards Act,2006 for preparing& storing safe food and for handling Standard Operating Procedures.

• What is FSSAI License?

FSSAI license is a 14-digit license number that is issued to food business operators who comply with rules & regulations mentioned in FSSA Act,2006 for a particular time period which needs to get renewed from time to time to keep their license valid to use. FBOs are not allowed to use FSSAI Logo anywhere in case their license has expired for any reason and would invite penalties and cancellation of license for a lifetime.

• Why FSSAI accreditation and LOGO are important for your business growth?

Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) has made it mandatory for all hotels to obtain an FSSAI license in order to start their venture. Just with simple registration you not only can obtain a license but can also use FSSAI Logo on menus & pamphlets to increase the credibility of your brand, boosts customer confidence, and give them the reasons why to buy food from you. Ask any customer and they would always want to eat good quality food prepared to maintain all hygiene and if the hotels & restaurants are FSSAI certified, customers won’t think twice about value for money while buying from you.

• How to apply for FSSAI registration & get a license?

As it has been made statutory compliance for all Food Business Operators(FBO) to work with valid FSSAI license here are the details on how you can apply for a Food license and boasts about maintaining food safety before your customers.

A. Small Businesses and Start ups having annual turnover below 12 lakhs, you may apply for basic FSSAI food safety registration.

The list of documents required for basic FSSAI Registration is as follows:

Authorized person Address Proof
Passport size Photograph
Business Name & Address
FSSAI declaration Form
Nature of Business details
Photograph of the applicant
Fee of Rs 100/per annum

B. As your business grows and reaches an annual turnover between Rs 12 lakhs and 20 crores, you will need State FSSAI License Registration.

The list of documents required for State FSSAI License Registration is as follows:

Rental Agreement for business Premises.
ID proof of concerned person(Aadhar card/Driving license/Passport/Voter ID)
Any Government registration certificates(company’s incorporation certification/GST/Pan card/Trade license/Municipality license)
Nature of Business
MOA & AOA or partnership deed copy in case your organization is private limited company or partnership firm.
FSSAI declaration form
Photograph of the applicant
Fee of Rs 100/per annum

C. Once your annual turnover crosses 20 crores, you will need Central FSSAI License registration.

The list of documents required for Central FSSAI License Registration is as follows:

Rental Agreement for business Premises.
ID proof of concerned person(Aadhaar card/Driving license/Passport/Voter ID)
Any Government registration certificates(company’s incorporation certification/GST/Pan card/Trade license/Municipality license)
MOA & AOA or partnership deed copy in case your organization is a private limited company or partnership firm.
IE code(Import & export code) compulsory for food business in the category of export & import of food items)
Authority letter on company letterhead stating he is authorized to file FSSAI application.
List of food category desired to be manufactured in case of manufacturers of food)
Photograph of the applicant
Fee of Rs 100/per annum

• How to get approval for the FSSAI food license?

Once you submit an application with all required documents, the concerned food Inspector verifies all the documents against the FSSAI norms and if finds it correct approves your application through notification over email.

• How to renew the FSSAI food license?

To renew the FSSAI food license the FBOs need to apply 30 days prior to the date of expiry of the license.

• How to File an Annual Return?

Manufacturer & importer shall file Annual return(form D-1) and submit it manually to central & state licensing Authority on or before 31st May of each year for each class of food handled by him during the previous financial year.
Only Merchant Exporter can file the quarterly annual return online.
FBOs manufacturing milk or milk-based product shall file half yearly returns in Form D-2 and submit it manually for the periods 1st April to 30th September & from 1st October to 31st March in any financial year.

For more information visit fssaiindia.in to get the complete details on how to add FSSAI LOGO with your brand to attract opportunities.