One of the necessary conditions after registering a business entity is to obtain Government License / Permit. In case you are in the food industry e.g. hawker, itinerant vendor, temporary stall holder; food distributor in any religious or social gathering events except a caterer, or by any way related to manufacturing, transportation, storage, or distribution of food product or tiny food business, one must obtain FSSAI Registration or FSSAI License before starting operations.

Below are the categories in which FSSAI has divided license/registration based on the turnover limits of the company:

Basic Registration

• Annual Sales 
• Up to 12 Lakhs 
• Trade 
• Within India

State License

• Manufacturing unit
• Annual Sales in between 12 to 20 Crores 
• Trade within India

Central License

• Annual Sales above 20 Crores 
• Trade worldwide

• Failure of registration for FSSAI Registration / License may charge heavy penalties and be considered as a legal offense. 
• A food license is issued for 1 year to 5¬year validity. Based on business requirement 
• Every individual or Food Business Operator (FBO) who is by any way related to manufacturing, transportation, storage, or distribution of food products must obtain FSSAI Registration or License. 
• In India allotting registration certificates or licenses to food, businesses is governed by the Food Safety and Standards Regulations 2011. 
• Size and nature of your business define whether you have to obtain an FSSAI registration or FSSAI License.

Businesses that require FSSAI State License

• This license is to be obtained by any person or entity that does not fall under the criteria of petty food business operator 
• Any medium-sized manufacturer unit, processors unit or transporter require State FSSAI License. 
• The procedure to obtain FSSAI License is more complicated and cumbersome as compared to FSSAI registration.

• All food processing plants including re-labelers and re¬packers - More than 2 MT per day Upto any limit 
• Dairy units including a milk chilling house equipped to handle or process - More than 50,000 liters per day of milk or more than 2500 MT of milk solids per annum up to any limit 
• Vegetable oil processing units and units involved in producing vegetable oil by the process of solvent extraction and refineries including oil expeller unit - More than 2 MT per day Up-to any limit 
• FBO processing Meat products - More than 500 kg meat per day or 150 MT per annum 
• FBO involved in Wholesaling food products - Turnover more than 30 Crore Upto any limit 
• FBO involved in Retailing - Turnover more than 20 Crore Upto any limit 
• FBO involve in Distributer - Turnover more than 20 Crore Upto any limit 
• FBO as a Supplier - Turnover more than 20 Crore Upto any limit

Obtaining a license can bring legal benefits, develop goodwill, ensure food safety, raise customer awareness, and aid in business expansion a food business. It also aids in the regulation of import food manufacturing, storage, distribution, and sale.

• Copy of Aadhaar Card/ Voter identity card of Proprietor/ Partners/ Director 
• Electricity/ Water bill (Business Place) 
• List of Directors with full address and contact 
• Proof of possession of premises 
• Partnership Deed/Affidavit of Proprietorship/MOA & AOA 
• NOC & Copy of License from the manufacturer (mandatory for re¬labelers and re¬packers only)
• Declaration Form 
• Authority letter 
• Food Safety Management System plan or certificate 
• Photo ID issued by Government authority 
• Passport size Photo 
• Address proof issued by Government authority 
• Copy of Rent agreement (If the property on Rent) 
• List of food products 
• Blue Print of Processing Unit & Equipment/Machinery 
• Production unit photograph 
• For Transporters: Proof for Turnover or self-declaration of the number of vehicles 
• List of Equipment and Machinery 
• Pesticide residues report of water

• Calculate your business's annual turnover/revenue 
• Check criteria for FSSAI State license 
• Understand whether you required FSSAI registration or FSSAI License (State /Central) 
• Complete the documentation process. 
• Submit documents and make payment 
• Go through the Inspection/Audit process 
• Coordinate with FSSAI for audit/inspection results 
• After successful audit compliances, receive FSSAI License/Registration 

Non-Compliance

This industry, like all others, must comply with relevant authorities and adhere to the FSSAI's laws and guidelines. Violators of the provided rules and regulations will face severe penalties, as this is a matter of public health and safety. Let's take a look at the other consequences of the violation in a little more detail.

Penalty for Non-Compliance