Food Business License

Any individual or entity proposing to start a food business must obtain a food business license or registration from the FSSAI (Food Safety and Standard Authority of India). In this article, we look at the procedure for obtaining a food business license in India.

Food Business License vs Food Business Registration

Under FSSAI, there are three types of licenses/registrations as under:

Food Business License - State Government
Food Business Registration - State Government
Food Business License - Central Government

You can check if your business requires Food Business License or Food Business Registration here.

Procedure to Avail Food License

Application for a food business license must be submitted in Form B to the FSSAI Central or State Licensing Authority, based on the eligibility criteria for the food business along with the prescribed registration fee. The food business license application should include a self-attested FSSAI declaration and other documents as prescribed. Click here for a list of documents required for FSSAI license. On submission of the FSSAI license on the FSSAI Portal, the applicant will be given a unique Application ID number for tracking and submission of any additional information, as requested by the Processing Officer. In case any additional documents or information is required, the FSSAI processing officer will create a query. The applicant must then furnish any additional information as requested within 30 days. If the information submitted by the applicant is accepted, the FSSAI Officer will issue the FSSAI registration certificate. The registration certificate must be displayed by the food business.

Commencement of Business

In case, there is no response from the authority within 7 days after submitting the application or no decision is confirmed within 30 days after the submission of all required information, the Food Business Operator may start the business provided that registration shall not be refused without giving the applicant an opportunity.

Validity and Renewal of Food License

Based on the amount of fee paid, a food business license would be valid for a period ranging between 1-5 years. Any FSSAI renewal application filed beyond the expiry date is subjected to a late fee of Rs. 100 per day for each day of delay. Finally, if the food business license has expired, the Food Business Operator must terminate all business activities at the premises. Hence, it is important for all food business operators to track and ensure that the FSSAI license is valid at all times.

Suspension and Cancellation of Food License

If a food business operator fails to follow the guidelines on sanitary and Hygiene requirements, the FSSAI Authority can send an improvement notice to the Food Business Operator. In the notice, a period of not less than 14 days will be provided to the food business operator for improving the condition of the premises. Finally, on inspection, if the Food Business Operator, still fails to rectify the defects or omissions, the license will be canceled. The Food Business Operator will not be provided with any compensation for the cancellation of the license and will have to cease operations immediately. 3 months from the date of cancellation, the food business operator can again apply for fresh registration after fulfilling all the requirements mentioned in the improvement notice.

Transfer of FSSAI License

In case of the death of the FSSAI license holder, the FSSAI license can be transferred to the legal representative or any family member of the deceased holder. The legal representative or the family member must apply to the concerned Authority to transfer the license in his/her favor. Post verification, the application can be approved or refused by the Authority. However, the FSSAI License Authority cannot refuse the request without giving the applicant an opportunity of being heard.

To obtain an FSSAI license for your business, get in touch with an IndiaFilings Advisor at sales@indiafilings.com.