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- It is compulsory for all food businesses in India, whether small or large, or any model, to have this.
- It is the uniform safety standards that are ensured across the manufacturing, storage, transport, and retail activities.
- Imposes very strict compliance with the labelling that is required, hygiene that is necessary, and additives that are allowed.
- Divides the licences depending upon the Basic, State, and Central ones by the turnover and the operational scale.
- Engages in unannounced visits; inspection; and, in some cases, collecting samples to determine whether the business is still following the rules.
FSSAI Regulation | Introduction
A small gourmet pickle brand we closely worked with in Coimbatore had a pretty rough time last year. Their retailer refused to dispatch a fresh consignment of pickles just because the jars had an outdated FSSAI number. The recipe was the same, but an administrative oversight had their supply chain frozen for days. As these kinds of situations tell, regulating FSSAI is not just another form for getting a license; it is a detailed compliance framework explaining how food is produced, labeled, stored, transported, and sold across India. Most new entrepreneurs take these requirements for granted and especially consider them when their business expands to modern trade, online marketplaces, or interstate distribution. FSSAI regulations are like the core of a business to decide on every operation from where to get the ingredients to how to design the packaging.
What is FSSAI regulation
FSSAI Regulation is (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) the single food safety system of India that defines the standards for food production, storage, transportation, and sale. The law requires each food business – whether a tiny one or a large corporation – to follow good hygiene, quality, and labelling practices so that customer health is protected and there is market transparency.
Key Points
- It is a must for all food businesses that are involved in the manufacturing, storage, retail, or transport of food.
- The safety standards for the food include the standards for the ingredients, additives, hygiene, and processing techniques.
- It sets very strict labelling requirements such as nutritional information, allergen disclosure, and the FSSAI licence number.
- It determines the different types of licences such as Basic, State, and Central depending on turnover and production capacity.
- The authority also conducts regular inspections, audits, and sampling as a means of checking whether the regulations are being complied with continuously.
Why is FSSAI Regulation Mandatory
The FSSAI Regulation is mandatory as it lays down a uniform, legally binding system which is aimed at ensuring that food sold in India is safe, hygienic and properly labelled. It discourages consumers from being defrauded, provides businesses with the right food handling practices, and makes the entire food supply chain accountable. In the absence of such a system, there would be no standard way for checking the quality of food or for tracing the persons responsible when safety issues arise.
Key Points
- This system is based on hygiene and nutrition standards and it covers food production.
- Implements standards that are clear and verifiable for food business activities of any scale—local or industrial.
- Shields the consumers from the supply of food made from unsafe ingredients, and the provision of food that is falsely labelled or poorly hygienic.
- Enables traceability through records, batch codes, as well as licence numbers.
- It is a prerequisite for vending at marketplaces, acquiring distributor tie-ups, and staying out of trouble with the law.
Importance and Benefits (FSSAI Regulation)
| Importance of FSSAI | Benefits of FSSAI |
| Creates a safe environment for the production and distribution of goods. | Gaining consumer trust and increasing the brand’s value. |
| Food business that provides the best quality products. | FSM reduces the chances of penalties, product recalls, and fines. |
| Creates a standardized system for nutrition, labelling, and additives. | Supports marketing activities and the brand’s presence in modern trade/e-commerce. |
| Helps the safety of the people by stopping adulteration. | Enhances the image and guarantees the business going for the next few years. |
| It is obligatory for all food businesses, small and large ones. | Simplifies processes and aligns operations with regulatory authorities. |
Step-by-Step Process of FSSAI
1. Business Assessment & Licence Selection
- Based on your business model, turnover, and the type of products, we decide the appropriate FSSAI license — Basic, State, or Central.
2. Document Collection & Compliance Check
- We gather your documents, inspect them for correctness, and if there are any compliances missing (FSMS, layout, labels) we prepare them and if there are any gaps, we fix them.
3. Application Preparation & Filing
- We complete all the necessary forms (Form A/B), upload the documents on the FoSCoS portal, submit the application, and take care of the authority’s queries.
4. Inspection Support & Verification
- In case an inspection is needed, we get your plant ready, help you through the procedure, and communicate with FSSAI officers till the confirmation.
5. Licence Issuance & Post-Approval Compliance
- Once the decision has been made in your favor, we issue the license with you, verify the information, assisting you in packaging labelling, renewal reminders, and ensuring that you continue to meet the regulations.
Documents Required for FSSAI
1. Basic FSSAI Registration
(For small food businesses)
- Passport-size photograph of the applicant
- Aadhaar, PAN, or any government-issued ID proof
- Address proof of the business location
- Business details (type of activity, product list)
- Declaration Form (Form A)
2. FSSAI State Licence
(For medium-scale businesses)
- All Basic Registration documents
- Proof of business premises (rental agreement, electricity bill, tax receipt)
- Food Safety Management System (FSMS) plan
- List of equipment and machinery
- Water testing report from an NABL-approved lab (if applicable)
- Proof of annual turnover
- Photo ID and address proof of the proprietor/partners/directors
- Blueprint/layout of processing or storage unit
3. FSSAI Central Licence
(For large manufacturers, importers, exporters, interstate businesses)
- Documents required for the State Licence –
- If dealing with imports/exports – Import-Export Code (IEC)
- A certificate from the Ministry of Commerce (only for 100% export units)
- Authority letter with name & address of responsible person
- List of products with category details
- Production capacity detail.
- Certificate of incorporation or partnership deed
Timelines, Costs, Validity & Renewal (FSSAI Regulation)
- Timelines:The whole procedure for getting a certification is generally about 20–30 days. The testing of the product is usually done within 7–15 days.
- Costs: The fees for the government and the tests are different for various types of products. Besides that, there may be some additional charges for samples and documentation.
- Validity: Most of the certificates are valid for 2 years.
- Renewal: Renewal of a certificate is best done before the time of its expiration. It basically involves submitting up-to-date documents and, if required, a new testing.
Why Choose Diligence Certifications (FSSAI Regulation)
- Expert Direction: More than 25+ years of experience in FSSAI, ISO, BIS, and regulatory compliance.
- Complete Support: Besides the documentation to registration, audits, renewals, and compliance that is going on.
- Quick & Smooth Operation: We are doing the paperwork properly the first time, thus cutting down on delays and rejections.
- Businesses’ Preference: Facilitates brands to acquire credentials, get retail approvals, and have a smooth market entry.
- Consistent Support: We monitor renewals, changes, and compliance requirements so that your business is not subjected to fines or interruptions. (Diligence Certifications)
Conclusion
FSSAI Regulation is far beyond a simple legal requirement; it represents the core system that guarantees safety, cleanliness, and truthful labelling of food all over India. Being in line with the regulations, the consumers are secured from the intake of products that are impure or harmful to their health, while the businesses are kept safe from paying heavy fines, product recalls, and loss of their good name. For food entrepreneurs, dealing with these regulations is like a maze. However, the collaboration with a professional consulting company such as Diligence Certifications is a way out of that maze. They offer complete support which includes FSSAI registration, documentation, audits, and advisory on a regular basis. This way, the clients can concentrate on the development of their business, rather than on compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an FSSAI licence?
An FSSAI license is a legal permit that is necessary to be obtained by any food business that is engaged in food manufacturing, storage, transport or sale.
Is FSSAI registration mandatory?
Without a doubt, any food business, whether large or small, must have an FSSAI license.
3. What are the types of FSSAI licences
The three types of the FSSAI licences are Basic, State, and Central, which vary depending on the nature of the business and the turnover.
Who needs a Basic FSSAI registration?
Just a tiny one, a small food business that operates from home with a low annual turnover could get a Basic FSSAI registration.
How long does it take to get an FSSAI licence?
The time is generally between 20 and 30 days and the main reasons for the time variation are the availability of the documents and the need for a verification visit.
What is the validity of an FSSAI licence?
Mostly an FSSAI licence is valid for a maximum of 2 years, and it is obligatory to have a new one issued prior to the date of expiration.
Does FSSAI conduct inspections?
Indeed, in order to verify the compliance, FSSAI performs inspections on a regular basis and also testing of samples.
Is FSSAI necessary for selling food online?
It is one of the essentials for platforms such as Zomato, Swiggy, Amazon, Flipkart, and so on.
What is the consequence of a business operating without an FSSAI licence?
It could be made to pay a hefty fine and be subjected to legal proceedings sued against it. Besides, it can also be compelled to recall the products.
Can an FSSAI licence be transferred?
Yes, if along with the change in ownership proper documentation is also there, it can be transferred.
