FSSAI Registration vs FSSAI License

Every Food Business Operator must get an FSSAI registration or license from FSSAI. The registration and licensing of food businesses in India are governed by the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food businesses) Regulation, 2011. As per the regulation, all food business operators in India must have an FSSAI registration or license if they are involved in the manufacturing, storage, transportation, or distribution of food products. Based on the size and nature of the business, FSSAI registration or FSSAI license may be required.

Eligibility to get FSSAI Registration/License

The applicant’s eligibility for food registration and support is determined based on turnover, production capacity, nature of business, and area of operation cumulatively. Even if an FBO falls in the registration category as per turnover, its nature makes him eligible for licenses. The FBO has to apply for a license (State/Central Licence).

FSSAI Registration

FSSAI Registration is mandatory for petty food manufacturers or the FBO having a turnover of less than Rs.12 Lakhs unless the FBO is covered under compulsory licensing. The petty FBO who manufactures or sells any food items, a hawker, petty retailer, itinerant vendor, temporary stall-holder, or small-scale industries relating to food business who comply with the following conditions need to obtain an FSSAI registration certificate.

Annual turnover does not exceed Rs.12 lakh
Production capacity of food products (other than milk and milk products and meat and meat products) up to 100 liters or kg per day
Procurement or handling and collection of milk is up to 500 liters of milk per day or
Slaughtering capacity is 2 large animals or 10 small animals or 50 poultry birds per day or less.
Distributes foods including in any religious or social gathering except a caterer

For a better understanding, go through the following table:

Sl.No	Business	Capacity
1	Food production capacity (other than milk and meat)	Up to 100 kg/ltr per day
2	Procurement, handling, and collection of milk	Up to 500 ltr per day
3	Slaughtering capacity	2 large animals or 10 small animals or 50 poultry birds per day or less

FSSAI registration number will be granted by the State Licensing Authority, and its carries 14 digits in it, but the first digit starts with 2.

FSSAI License

FSSAI License is mandatory for businesses having a turnover of more than 12 lakh or by the FBO engaged in food processing and manufacturing. The FSSAI License is categorized into two types Central and State License. FSSAI license carries 14 digits, wherein the first digit starts with 1. FBOs need to get the state license or the central license depending on the size of their business.

State license

Medium-size processors, manufacturers, traders, marketers, or transporters require the FSSAI state license from the state government.

The FBO, having an annual turnover of more than Rs.12 lakh but not exceeding Rs.20 crore, is considered a medium-sized FBO and must obtain a state license.
The FBO needs to get a central license when its annual turnover crosses Rs.20 crore.

Central license

A large-sized business processing, transporting, manufacturing, and having international trade of food products needs to obtain the FSSAI central license. The FBO having an annual turnover of more than Rs.20 crore is considered a large business and must obtain an FSSAI central license from the Central Government.

Difference between FSSAI Registration and FSSAI License

Particulars	FSSAI Registration	FSSAI License
Turnover Limit	Businesses having an annual turnover not exceeding Rs.12 lakh.	Businesses having an annual turnover of more than Rs.12 lakh.
Types	Basic Registration.	FSSAI Central License and FSSAI State License.
Size of Business	Petty food business operators.	Medium and large-sized food business operators and food businesses.
Duration	Duration depends on the applicability of the registration.	Issued for a period of a minimum of one year and a maximum of five years.
Application	Form A	Form B
Fees for Registration/License	Fixed at Rs.100 per year.	It varies from Rs.2,000 to Rs.7,500 per year, depending on the criteria and type of license.
Publication	The FSSAI registration should be displayed on the office premises, and the registered number should be displayed on the package of product.	The exporter, importer, traders, and producers have to mandatorily publish the FSSAI license number on the package of the products.