FSSAI Central License

FSSAI is a leading government agency that works for the well-being of the masses by implementing relevant food safety norms. Its ultimate objective is to formulate various guidelines and norms to incentivise food safety awareness in India. Also, this institution keeps a constant tap on entities involved in the supply chain of food, right from production to selling. Consumer awareness is something that FSSAI takes very seriously. And that is why it often rolls out various initiatives and keeps the masses informed about substandard and low-quality foods. FSSAI formulates food safety norms and various other guidelines in view of the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006.

FSSAI Central License is obtained by an FBO (Food Business Operator) with a turnover of more than Rs. 20 Crores or is involved in exporting and importing food products in India. 

Fundamental Duties and Functions performed by FSSAI

Formulating Guidelines and Norms for food safety and hygiene
Launching initiatives nationwide to create food safety awareness among the masses
Granting mandatory food license and registration to food business operators
Facilitating recommendations to GOI in outlining new policies
Rolling out directions and guidelines in view of the FSS Act, 2006 for the entities operating in the food sector
Taking legal actions against food businesses allegedly involved in illicit practices such as food adulteration.

Businesses that Require Mandatory FSSAI License

The following types of businesses mentioned below mandatorily require the Registration of FSSAI License:

Restaurants
E-Commerce Businesses such as Online Home Kitchen
A business that sells Essential Food Products
Food Business Operators of the Indian Railways
Food Businesses that sell Coffee or Coffee-Based Products
Manufacturers of Powdered Tea
Food Vending Machines
Food Businesses that sell Herbalife-Based Products
Food Business Operators that Import or Export Food Products
Food Business Operators of the Indian Airports
Food Marketing Companies
Businesses that Export Cashews
Amazon Warehouses
Hotels
Supermarkets
E-Commerce Businesses that sell prepared food online such as Zomato, Swiggy, Uber Eats, etc.
E-Commerce Businesses that sell food products online
Online Businesses that sell packaged commodities, such as Flipkart, Amazon, etc.
Catering Businesses
Event Management Businesses
Colleges and other institutions that have a canteen
Business involved in retail, export, or import of Fisheries
Agricultural Products
Manufactures of Packaged Products
Manufacturers of various types of Oil
Food Outlets
Hospitals
Manufactures of Packaged Drinking Water
Businesses involved in the retail, export, or import of Dairy Products
Manufactures of Chocolate and Chocolate-Based Products
Food Transporters
Re-Packagers
Milk Chilling Units
All types of Food Business Operators

Benefits of getting an FSSAI Central License

Followings are the advantages of obtaining a FSSAI Central License:

Worldwide Identity

The FSSAI License helps to establish a reputation all over the world. It creates the brand name of the business at a global level. 

Business Expansion

With FSSAI Central License, extending the food business to any new location and opening new outlets is easy. It even makes it easier to get a loan or other funding for the development of a business. 

Legal Advantage

FSSAI License gives a sense of security and legal right to all those who are involved in the food business. It also acts as evidence that the quality of food and the food has not been compromised to safety standards. 

Consumer Awareness

Consumers are more alert about the quality of their food nowadays. So, the food with FSSAI License gives the businesses an advantage in a rapidly increasing consumer base. 

Essential Criteria for obtaining FSSAI Central License

FSSAI Central License is legal consent granted by FSSAI to the food businesses which have –

Annual turnover more than Rs 20 crores or;
Various units running in multiple states or;
Monthly or annual production more significant than the prescribed threshold limit;
Must have an annual turnover of more than Rs. 20 Crores who wants to start a business of import/export of food items and a business for selling food items on their own e-commerce website.

Special Conditions for applying to get FSSAI Central License are as follows:

Establishing Business of Nutraceutical and Health Supplement;
Transporting Business with more than 100 vehicles;
Running hotel with 5-star or 7-stars.

Apart from these essential criteria, FSSAI Central License also encompasses the following -

Dairy facilities produce milk solid with an annual production of 50000 litres or 2500 megaton
Processing facilities producing vegetable oil with a daily production volume of 2 MT
Slaughter facility with a daily capacity of:

50 large animals;
150 small animals;
1000 poultry birds.

Meat processing facility has a daily production capacity of 50 KG or 150 megatons
Food processing facility has a daily production of 2 megaton
Food business shipping food articles abroad
Facilities having a refrigerator facility or cold storage having a storage capacity of 1000 megatons or more.
Wholesalers involved in the food business have a yearly turnover of more than Rs 30 crore
Retailers & distributors of food articles having an annual turnover of more than Rs 20 crores
A business dealing with catering service or food marketing having a yearly turnover of more than Rs 20 crores
Restaurants and eating houses have an annual turnover of INR 20 Crore
Food catering services operating in government-based agencies
Food catering services in establishments working under the aegis of government include seaports, airports, etc.