Understanding The Product And Ingredient Approval From FSSAI

What is FSSAI Product Approval:

The process of applying as well as obtaining the approval of a non-specified food product, from Food Safety and Standard Authority of India, i.e., FSSAI is known as non-specified food approval and briefly referred to as FSSAI Product Approval. It is, of course, necessary procedure to get your innovative new food product in the market.

Those food products which individually do not contain additives and/or ingredients NOT according to FSS Act and Regulations, needs FSSAI Product Approval.
The FSSAI- Central authority  approves the Product filed.

Steps for Obtaining Product Approval:

To apply for FSSAI Product Approval, one needs to fill up the Non-specified food approvalapplication along with Demand Draft for prescribed Fees and is required to submit it manuallyat the FSSAI Office located in New Delhi, India. The process is soon going to be shifted to online process.

For user convenience, the FSSAI is about to introduce the FPAS – Food Product Approval System which is an online Food Product Approval  website. Through the FPAS, you will be able to apply as well as track the FSSAI Product Approval Application online.

Other essential details, related to the application, are:
1.    Business Name
2.    Business Address
3.    Email
4.    Phone Number
5.    Manufacturers Address
6.    Type of Business (Manufacturer / Importer / Retailer / Marketer)
7.    Product Origin
8.    Country of Origin
9.    Existence in the Market
10.   Product Common Name
11.   Product Brand Name
12.   Method of Manufacturing
13.   Claim, if any?
14.   Shelf Life of the Product
15.    Pack Size
16.    Serving Details
17.    Composition Details

 

 

Essential Documents for the Same:
1.    Label for the food product
2.    Method of manufacturing
3.    Accelerated stability datasheet
4.    Real-time stability datasheet
5.    End-Use Declaration Document
6.    Certificate of Analysis from NABL Lab
7.    Copy of FSSAI License

8. NABL Test reports


A.    Business Entity Incorporation:
One of the things, while applying for Ingredient Approval FSSAI, is that – it requires high processing fees which are supposed to be paid from some business entities. Hence one should have an entity for example Private Limited Company or LLP so that such procedures can be carried out efficiently and hassle-free.

B.    Food Business Operator License
This is essential and is required to state the handling/ manufacturing/ selling of the food products. So whenever you go on applying for the Product Approval FSSAI, you need to submit the FSSAI Food Business Operator License copy along with it. Thus, the approval application filing should be then done in the name of the same business in India.

C.    Test Reports
The Application should enclose essential test reports from NABL accredited labs in it. It is because NABL lab reports contain vital info to validate safety, label claims, ingredients, and other necessary test results in it.

D.    Food Product Label
Any food product must contain a label which, of course, should be as per FSSAI Food Product Labeling and Packaging Standards in India. One should keep in mind that, the label needs to be a prototype, not any printed labels.

Finally, Submission of FSSAI Product Approval Application
Once you gather all the essential documents as mentioned above, one can fill out the Non-specified Food Product Application and submit to the Central FSSAI authority. . Getting assistance from professionals would be a smart choice.