Navigating FSSAI Legal Compliance: A Comprehensive Guide for Food Business Operators in India

FSSAI- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India,” the leading working of FSSAI is to look after the food Industries in the nations and keep a close eye on the quality of Food, materials used, standards regulations, contaminations, emerging risks, food safety, nutrition, etc. FSSAI ensures that the food products are of top quality, maintaining the standards. It ensures that there does not happen any food adulteration and sale of sub-standard products to the customers or consumers affecting their health, hygiene, immunity, nutritional intakes, etc. FSSAI has specific rules, statutes, and regulations that are binding upon all the producers present in the food industry. As, part and parcel of the powers of the body, it looks after the quality check test, registering, licensing, renewal, return filings, complaints, etc. which are certain established norms, regulations, and Code of Conduct which is mandatory and binding upon the “Food Business Operators (FBO)” in India, i.e., whoever is operating a food business in the country. If you are starting a large scale “Food Industry” or a small scale “Food Business” or even thinking to start a small “Food Truck or a restaurant or dinner or a window Kitchen, etc.” then this is probably the best space for you to know all about the Food Industry Legal Compliances or FSSAI Legal Compliance, the ways which you have been looking for to kick start your lawful and risk-free Food Business Operations.
FSSAI registration is provided based on the business types, turnover, and production capacity. According to the installed capacity and turnover, FBOs are eligible for essential, central, and state licenses.
• FSSAI Registration: Food Business Operators having a turnover of less than Rs.12 lakh per annum must obtain FSSAI essential registration. Food business operators who are petty food manufacturers can obtain registration. Form A is the FSSAI registration form the applicant must fill out to receive FSSAI essential registration.
Benefits of Procuring FSSAI Food Registration:
* Legal benefit
* Ensure food safety
* Build goodwill
* Create consumer awareness
* FSSAI logos on food products ensure the quality of the products to the customers.
• FSSAI State License: Food businesses having a turnover of more than Rs.12 lakh per annum and less than Rs.20 crore per annum must obtain the FSSAI state license. Form B is the FSSAI registration form the applicant must fill out to get an FSSAI state license. Food business operators like small to medium-sized manufacturing units, storage, transporters, retailers, marketers, distributors, etc., need to take FSSAI registration from the state government.

Other conditions of Eligibility
The manufacturing units must have a capacity of 2MT per day. The dairy units should handle business up to 5000 litres per day. All the catering businesses like, 3-star hotels and above, repackers, relabelling units, clubs, canteens, etc. irrespective of their turnovers need to apply for the license. To have a state License the FBO must have the business running only in One state.

NOTE: If an FBO has a business running in 2 or more states then it is eligible for a “central License
Following are the certain expected types of food business that may fall into the category of state license: Supplier, Wholesaler, Distributor, Food Vending Establishment, Club, Canteen, Restaurants, Proprietary Foods, Vegetable Oil Processing and Production units Production, 4 Star rating hotels or less, Storages with less than 50,000 metric tons capacity on year basis, Milk chilling Dairy units with a capacity of 500 to 50000 liters, etc.
Benefits of Procuring FSSAI Food Registration:

* If you are applying for the FSSAI License, then it’s important to ensure why is it important or beneficial to have one. Well! Indeed, FSSAI State License Form is not a chance to fill by the FBOs rather it’s an obligation and mandatory by regulations. But to know why it’s been made compulsory to apply for one is necessary.

It is important to note that a license can bring the following benefits:

* FBOs can use the FSSAI symbol on their product package making customers assured of the good quality products you generate. Without the State license, the FSSAI logo can’t be used.
* Immense Creditors or Investors will seek interest in your business after looking at the surety of your good products, high-income generation, and legal benefits.
* Goodwill and Reputation Building
* Large Food Tenders
* Zero Fine
* Zero Risk of Disqualification due to low-quality products

Consequences of Non-Compliance

* The FSSAI Symbol: You are not permitted to use the FSSAI symbol. While a local food business may be able to get away with not having this logo, as customer become more knowledgeable, these tiny validations might go a long way in food industry’s cutthroat competitiveness.
* No Food Tenders: Because most of these changes would mention explicit requirements of a legitimate FSSAI State License, not having on FSSAI State License may make it more difficult for you all to register to corporate events, fulfill bids, or advance to a larger set-up.
• FSSAI Central License: Food businesses having a turnover of more than Rs.20 crore per annum must obtain the FSSAI central license. The FSSAI registration form the applicant must fill out to obtain FSSAI primary license is Form B. Food business operators like 100% Export Oriented Units, large manufacturers, importers, food business operators in Central Government Agencies, airports, seaports, etc., need to obtain FSSAI registration from central government.