Industry Specific
Procedure to Obtain Central License to Operate Food Business
Deepti Mudgal
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Introduction
A Central FSSAI License is a mandatory requirement for large-scale food business operators in India. This includes manufacturers, importers, exporters, and businesses involved in food processing, storage, transportation, or distribution operating across multiple states. The license is issued by the Central Licensing Authority under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. It ensures that the food products meet the safety and quality standards set by FSSAI, thereby protecting public health and building consumer trust.
Who Can Apply?
Food Business Operators who are large manufacturers, importers and exporters dealing in large-scale food businesses need to obtain Central FSSAI registration from the Central Government. This category covers the following businesses:
- Food Business Operator’s shall have a turnover above Rs 20 crore (Rs 30 crore in case of transportation business and wholesaler)
Following Food Business Operators irrespective of turnover or size of business
- Food businesses operating in two or more states
- Importers and exporters
- Proprietary food and non-specified food
- Food or health supplements and Nutraceutical
- Radiation processing of foods
- Food Business Activities at premises of Central Govt Agencies
- Caterers, restaurants, canteens, hawkers or petty retailers at the premises of railway stations
- E-commerce food business
- Large-scale businesses having the following food capacity limits:
S.No. Business Capacity 1 Food production (other than milk and meat) More than 2 MT per day 2 Procurement, handling and collection of milk More than 50,000 litres per day 3 Slaughtering More than 50 large animals or more than 150 small animals or 1,000 poultry birds per day 4 Storage More than 10,000 MT 5 Transportation More than 100 vehicles 6 Hotel Five star and above rating 7 Vending machine More than 100 vending machines located in two or more states/UTs
Applicable Provisions
Regulation 2.1.2(1), 2.1.2(2), 2.1.2(3), 2.1.2(5), 2.1.3, 2.1.7 of Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulation, 2011
Documents Required for Obtaining the FSSAI Central License
- Form-B Duly completed and signed (In Duplicate) by the Proprietor/Partner or the Authorized Signatory
- Blueprint/layout plan of the processing unit showing the dimensions in meters/square meters and operation-wise area allocation (mandatory for manufacturing and processing units only)
- List of Directors/Partners/Proprietor/Executive Members of Society/Trust with full address and contact details (mandatory for Companies only)
- Partnership Deed/Self Declaration for Proprietorship/Memorandum & Articles of Association towards the constitution of the firm. (optional) – For MoA – Three pages need to be uploaded (First page – Certification of incorporation, Second page – Authorization of food business activity and Third page – list of directors with addresses)
- Name and List of Equipments and Machinery along with the number, installed capacity and horse power used (mandatory for manufacturing and processing units only)
- List of food category desired to be manufactured. (In case of manufacturers)
- Authority letter with name and address of responsible person nominated by the manufacturer along with alternative responsible person indicating the powers vested with them in other words assisting the officers in inspections, collection of samples, packing & dispatch. (for manufacturers / processors)
- Analysis report (Chemical & Bacteriological) of water to be used as ingredient in food from a recognized/ public health laboratory to confirm the portability (mandatory only for manufacturing and processing units only)
- Photo I.D and address proof issued by Government authority of Proprietor/Partner/Director(s)/Authorised Signatory. (optional)
- Proof of possession of premises. (Sale deed/ Rent agreement/ Electricity bill, etc.) (optional)
- Copy of certificate obtained under Co-operative Societies Act – 1861/Multi State Co-operative Societies Act – 2002 in case of Cooperatives. (wherever applicable)
- NOC & Copy of License from manufacturer (mandatory for Relabellers and Repackers only)
- Food Safety Management System plan or certificate (if any)
- Source of milk or procurement plan for milk including location of milk collection centers etc. in case of Milk and Milk Products processing units. (wherever applicable)
- Source of raw material for meat and meat processing plants. (wherever applicable)
- Pesticide residues report of water in case of units manufacturing packaged drinking water, packaged Mineral water and/or carbonated water from a recognised/ public health laboratory
- Recall plan wherever applicable, with details on whom the product is distributed. (optional)
- NOCs from Municipality or local body. (optional)
- Ministry of Commerce Certificate for 100% EOU
- Supporting documentary proof for Turnover
- NOC/PA document issued by FSSAI (In case of multiple documents, merge them into one document and then upload)
- IE CODE document issued by DGFT
- Form IX: Nomination of Persons by a Company along with the Board Resolution.
- Certificate provided by Ministry of Tourism (HRACC). (Mandatory for Hotel Only)
- For Transporters-Supporting documentary proof for Turnover or self-declaration of number of vehicles (Mandatory for Transporter Only)
- Declaration Form.
Process of License
- Food Business Operator carrying on business covered under Schedule 1 (List of Food Business falling under the purview of Central Licensing Authority) shall make an application in Form B to the Central Food Licensing Authority accompanied by a self-attested declaration as specified under Annexure 1 (Declaration), documents mentioned in revised list of documents required to be submitted along with the Application for FSSAI License and Clarification on the requirement of document for Proof of Premises for the purpose of making licensing application through FoSCoS, with the fees as specified under Schedule 3 (Fees for Application).
- Direct Seller shall apply through online portal as per the procedure given for the Food Business Operators with the fees of Rupees two thousand (2000) + GST for State and Rupees seven thousand five hundred (7500) + GST for Centre along with a copy of agreement with the Direct Selling Entity.
Process of Renewal
Person shall obtain a renewal of license by making an application in Form B within thirty (30) days prior to the expiry date mentioned in the license.
Validity of License
The license is issued for a validity of 1 year to 5 years.