Can you imagine life without the pleasure of good food? Whether it's a special occasion like a birthday, promotion or simply a dreary weekend, delicious food has the power to brighten any day. If you have a passion for food and enjoy bringing joy to others through homemade treats, starting a food business from the comfort of your own home is an excellent idea. The range of items you can sell is vast, ranging from delectable baked goods to mouthwatering pickles, jams, jellies, candies, and much more.

‍

However, as an F&B (food and beverage) brand, it's essential to be aware of the rules and regulations that govern your industry. To ensure that your food business operates legally and successfully, obtaining FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) product approval is a crucial step.

‍

In this blog, you will learn what is an FSSAI certification and license, which products need an FSSAI license, what are the benefits of procuring an FSSAI license, what is the penalty for non-compliance with FSSAI and the steps to get an FSSAI certification and license.

‍

What is an FSSAI registration and license?

‍

In India, every food business involved in manufacturing, storing, transporting, or distributing food is required to have an FSSAI license. The type of license depends on factors like the nature of the business, turnover, and production capacity. During the registration process, the food business operator (FBO) will receive a 14-digit number that must be printed on food packages.

‍

An FSSAI license can be acquired for a period ranging anywhere from 1 year to 5 years.

‍

Which F&B products need an FSSAI license?

‍

According to FSSAI, the following types of products need a license:

1. Dairy products and analogs
2. Fats and oils, and fat emulsions
3. Edible ice, including sherbet and sorbet
4. Fruits and vegetables include mushrooms, fungi, roots, tubers, fresh pulses and legumes, aloe vera, seaweed nuts, and seeds.
5. Confectionery
6. Fish and fish products, including crustaceans, molluscs, and echinoderms
7. Bakery products
8. Sweeteners, including honey
9. Cereals and cereal products derived from cereal grain, roots, tubers, legumes, and pith or soft core of palm tree, excluding the bakery wares of the food category
10. Meat and meat products
11. Eggs and egg products
12. Salts, spices, soups, sauces, salads, and protein products
13. Foodstuffs intended for particular nutritional uses – Infant formulae, follow-up formulae, and formulae for particular medical purposes for infants
14. Beverages, excluding dairy products (Non-alcoholic drinks)
15. Food Additives- All Food Additives permitted and standardized under FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, and FSS Nutraceutical Regulations, 2016, and their preparations
16. Nutrients and their preparations
17. Micronutrients specified under FSSR and their preparations/premixes of nutrients, Fortified Rice Kernel
18. Microorganisms and Microbial Preparations
19. Functional Ingredients
20. Standardized Food Products, excluding those covered under categories 1-14
21. Indian Sweets and Indian Snacks & Savouries products
22. Hemp Seeds and Seed Products

‍

Benefits of FSSAI food license

‍

FSSAI license has multiple advantages, such as:

1. Adhering to legal compliance and protection
2. Building goodwill and trust
3. Ensuring food safety
4. Creating consumer awareness
5. Assisting in business expansion
6. Regulating manufacturing, storage, distribution, and sale of imported food
7. Facilitating funding from investors
8. Ensuring quality for customers
9. Indicating compliance with hygiene and quality standards

‍

F&B brands that are registered or licensed under the FSSAI must comply with the rules and regulations outlined in the FSS Act, 2006. Inspections of food business operator facilities are typically conducted by food safety officers, who assess the level of compliance with regulations using a checklist. Otherwise, they have to pay hefty penalties:

‍

‍

What are the types of FSSAI registration?

‍

FSSAI registration is determined by factors like business type, turnover, and production capacity. Different types of licenses are available based on these factors: basic license, state license, and central license.

1. FSSAI Basic Registration: Required for FBOs with an annual turnover below Rs. 12 lahks.
2. FSSAI State License: Required for FBOs with an annual turnover above Rs. 12 lahks but below Rs. 20 crores.
3. FSSAI Central License: Required for FBOs with an annual turnover exceeding Rs. 20 crores.

‍

Steps to obtain FSSAI registration

‍

1. Fill and submit the FSSAI registration form (Form A or Form B) on the FoSCoS portal or offline to the Food and Safety Department.
2. Include the required documents with the registration form, either uploaded online or submitted physically.
3. The Department will accept or reject the registration form within 7 days and notify the applicant in writing if rejected.
4. The submitted documents will be scrutinised by the Department.
5. If necessary, the Department may conduct an inspection of the food premises before issuing the FSSAI registration certificate.
6. If the FBO meets all the criteria, the Department will grant the FSSAI registration certificate with a unique registration number and the applicant's photo via email.
7. The applicant can also download the certificate from the FoSCoS portal.
8. The FBO should prominently display the FSSAI registration certificate at the business premises during operating hours.

‍

How Eshopbox ensures order fulfilment complying with FSSAI requirements?

‍

If you are a brand that deals in both packaged and perishable food products, partnering with a reputed 3PL provider helps to differentiate which products require an FSSAI license and which do not. Here are a few more benefits of parenting up a 3PL like Eshopbox:

‍

1. Superior quality control

‍‍By utilising Eshopbox's advanced quality control and batch tracking systems, you can effortlessly maintain compliance by monitoring and documenting the entire supply and distribution process. Eshopbox also offers cutting-edge temperature-control facilities, ensuring that your F&B orders are stored and shipped under optimal conditions using state-of-the-art technology.

Additionally, with Eshopbox, you have the ability to trace the origin, storage location, and shipment status of recalled products. This feature allows you to swiftly identify and remove defective batches from your fulfilment centres and supply chain, ensuring prompt action to maintain quality standards.
‍

2. F&B fulfilment at batch level

Eshopbox wields batch tracking to fulfil orders and prevent inventory from becoming obsolete. Eshopbox’s robust IMS (Inventory Management System) gives ecommerce sellers a birds-eye view of their inventory and orders on the actionable dashboard to track products throughout the supply chain.

‍

3. Fast shipping
‍

Eshopbox’s strong fulfilment network helps you to distribute your inventory in multiple fulfilment centres across the country to deliver orders faster while saving shipping costs. Eshopbox also follows SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) driven pick and pack process that easily ensures same-day, two-day, and express shipping. Moreover, using technology like conveyer belts speeds up the process and reduces human errors.

‍‍

4. Proper packaging

‍

Eshopbox packs orders efficiently, using appropriately sized packages and adding bubble wrap or fragile shipping labels as needed. Moreover, Eshopbox empowers you to create custom packaging lists and delight customers with a unique unboxing experience.

‍

Wrapping up

‍

Obtaining the FSSAI certification is a fundamental requirement for F&B brands in India. By understanding the certification process and fulfilling the necessary requirements, brands can ensure compliance with food safety regulations and gain a competitive edge in the market. The certification not only enhances brand reputation but also contributes to the overall well-being of consumers.

‍