Every food business owner must obtain the FSSAI license to carry out his/her business operations. If the food business’ annual turnover is more than Rs. 12 lakhs and less than Rs. 20 crores then a state FSSAI license must be obtained. Manufacturing units with potential up to 2 million tones a day, dairy units managing businesses up to 50000 liters a day, hotels with 3 star or more ratings, clubs, repackers and relabeling facilities, canteens, all the catering business irrespective of their turnover requires to apply for state approval. This license has a fixed term of 5 years, and a minimum of 1 year. Let us now grasp how and when they are required to receive the FSSAI state certificate.
A license applies to FBOs that are not classified as small food businesses. The amount of the business of the FBOs also makes them eligible for a license in terms of profits and their annual production capabilities.
Eligibility for FBOs for the FSSAI state license includes-
As we understand, FSSAI is the abbreviation for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. This authority makes sure that all those involved in the food industry, including those involved in the manufacture, storage, processing, distribution, selling and importation of food, meet certain scientifically validated standards and guidelines that ensure the hygienic nature of the food product, have met the quality standards and are safe for human consumption. Below are the
India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority, FSSAI issues three different forms of food licenses. They are
There are certain papers that you must arrange for obtaining an FSSAI state license. Such FSSAI license documents are proof of the establishment of your valid food business.
Depending on the kind of business, the business owners will also have to submit the following documents:
To ensure the safety, security, and proper law and order in society, rules and acts are formulated. The Government of India has come up with the Food Safety Standards Act, 2011 under that principle. The goal behind this act was to simplify and put under one umbrella several laws relating to the food sector. The FSSAI or Food Safety and Standards Authority of India was founded to develop scientifically validated standards for food products to guarantee their protection for human consumption. The Agency also oversees and governs the processing, manufacture, distribution, sales, and importation of food products to ensure consumers get healthy and safe food. As a result, the FSSAI Act aims to control and administer the food industry and as part of its work, it levies different forms of penalties on business owners for violating such regulations.
Any person who is registered or licensed under FSSAI must comply with the rules and regulations of the FSS Act, 2006. Food safety officers usually audit the food business operator’s facility and assess the level of compliance with the legislation using a checklist. Based on the level of observance, this is marked by the food safety officer as:
Premised on the above, an improvement notice could be issued by the Food Safety Officer (FSO) wherever required by Section 32 of the FSS Act, 2006. Unless the business operator fails to comply with the notice of improvement, the officer may revoke his/her license after requiring the licensee to show cause.
To control food products and their protection for human use, in the case of violations, the FSSAI Act imposes certain penalties on business enterprises. The penalties can be levied on both companies, whether it is a private limited firm or a public limited company.
Where a food business owner or operator who is to obtain an FSSAI license but conducts business operations without acquiring the same shall be punishable as specified in the Act. The person or firm found guilty of any violation may be punished with up to six months ‘ imprisonment and/or a fine.
If a person or a company is found selling the substandard quality of food and flouting the compliance requirements, the same shall be penalized with a fine. The people or the companies exempted under sub-section (2) of section 31 of this Act for non-compliance shall be liable to a penalty.
If an individual or a business is found selling the lower quality of the food and violating the criteria of enforcement, then it shall be penalized with a fine. The owners or companies exempted for non-compliance under subparagraph (2 ) of section 31 of this Act shall be liable for a penalty.
If an individual or a business produces or engages in the storage, selling, distribution, or importation of misbranded food products, a penalty shall be levied with a fine. He or she will either have to destroy those food items or take immediate measures.
When an individual or a corporation produces, sells, or imports food items for human consumption food products that are found to contain extraneous or alien content, the same shall be deemed to be liable for a fine.
FSSAI was formed under Food Safety and Standards, 2006, which integrates various acts and regulations that have dealt with food-related issues in different departments and ministries. Even though it was formed by the Government of India’s Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, it is regarded as an independent organization. FSSAI was established to set scientific standards for food products and to regulate their manufacture, processing, distribution, sales, and importation to ensure safe and wholesome food available for human consumption.
Every food business operator must obtain compulsory FSSAI Registration or License. FSSAI License is different from FSSAI Registration, in the sense that FBO should obtain the necessary registration or license depending on the nature and size of the business.
This is a 14-digit identification number or a registration number printed on all food packets. This registration process aims to make the FBO more accountable for ensuring the quality of food items.
Some of the recent updates on FSSAI includes the following:
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