Benefits Of Hiring An FSSAI Consultant

by Divya S. Content Writer

FSSAI or Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is one of the self-governing body recognized under Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. It unites statute that is linked with food safety and regulation in India. FSSAI is responsible for defending and promoting public health through the ruling and superintendence of food safety.The main function of FSSAI is to create scientific standards for food articles, regulation of manufacture, distribution, storage,sale and import of food.Apart from that it also regulates safety of food and we can say that it is the bucket for every older laws and food safety rules.All eight older acts that is Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, Fruit merchandise Order, 1955, Meat Food merchandise Order, 1973, Vegetable Oil merchandise (Control) Order, 1947, Edible Oils Packaging (Regulation) Order 1998, Solvent Extracted Oil and Edible Flour (Control) Order, 1967, Milk and Milk merchandise Order, 1992 was taken into one umbrella by FSSAI.

Now you must be thinking what is FSSAI license?

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of Republic of India(FSSAI) that was formed under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 controls various acts and orders for handling problems related to food in various departments. It was formed with a primary reason of setting standards for every food articles and to ensure that only safe and wholesome food is available for consumption by human being. It is compulsory for every Food Business Operator to get FSSAI license. The concerned authority is also responsible for making appropriate information available regarding the license across the country,so that every citizen get the most rapid, and accurate information about food safety. FSSAI license is again of three types that are categorised depending on the operation scale of the food business that is being carried out.

FSSAI Central License:The food businessoperators like the importers, large manufacturers, operators of central government agencies,export oriented units need FSSAI central license that is issued by central government.If FBO operate in more than one state then they are required to obtain license for the head office. It is mainly for those units whose annual turnover is more than 20 crores.The maximum tenure of this license is 5 years and minimum is 1 year.

FSSAI State license: This license is required for small to medium size manufacturers, transporters, marketers etc.This license is given by state government and the operator should not have business in more than one state.Coming to annual turnover it is for those units whose annual turnover should be more than 12lakh and upto 20 crores. The maximum tenure of this license is 5 years and the minimum is 1 year.

FSSAI Registration: This is required for operators like small food manufacturers, storage units, retailers, and marketers.They are only required to obtain FSSAI registration. It is issued by state government.It is applicable for units having annual turnover upto12 lakh.FSSAI registration maximum tenure is 5 years and minimum is 1 year.

Depending on which category FBO are required to submit documents like Aadharcard, Pan car, photograph, proof of address, IEC code, CA declaration, proof of turnover, etc..

Now question arises how FSSAI compliance benefits?

Well,obtaining an FSSAI license before introducing the new food in the market helps in making the food accepted in both national and international platform, high confidence among the clients for quality as well as food safetyand assurance of consumers that they are having safe food.

But the process of obtaining FSSAI license is difficult and timetaking.However, if you want to speedup the process then it’s better to hire an FSSAI consultant who will make your work easier and quicker.All you have to do is submit documents.