Getting A FSSAI License

The food industry is growing at a rapid rate. There are many food retailers and manufacturers that bring new food options in the market. The busy lifestyle that the people lead today is another factor that has promoted the use of readymade or off the shelf food items. The food businesses manufacture and sell these food products in departmental stores. Even the top restaurants and hotels are food businesses that bring food to consumers daily.


The food businesses need to make sure that the food they serve or sell is healthy and safe. Ensuring the quality of a food product being healthy is the responsibility of the government of India. The Food Standards and Safety Authority of India (FSSAI) is the body that looks into this matter. They issue an FSSAI license and certificates for the food businesses to ensure that good quality food reaches the consumers.

The Significance Of Food License

For any food business to continue in a legit manner, they need to obtain a food license issued by FSSAI. This certificate is a mark of quality standards that the food business provides to its customers. The consumers prefer to look out the mark of FSSAI food license approval when purchasing products off the shelf or eating at a restaurant. To make sure that the customers trust the products of the business and consume them, which food business needs to have an FSSAI license?

The Kinds Of FSSAI License

Depending on the turnover of the food business, there are three essential food licenses that the FSSAI issues. The license takes into consideration the level of a business and the profits it earns annually.
  • Basic FSSAI Food License: The food business that has a small turnover, anywhere up to Rs. 20 lac per annum (LPA) qualify for a basic FSSAI license.
  • State FSSAI License: The next segment of business comes with a turnover somewhere between Rs. 20 Lac to Rs. 20 Crores annually. These businesses qualify for a state FSSAI License.
  • Central FSSAI License: For big businesses that have an annual turnover of above Rs. 20 Crores, there is the central FSSAI License needed for certification.
  • The business size and its turnover is the deciding factor for the type of FSSAI food license that it would need.

Process Of Getting A FSSAI License

The process for applying or renewing an FSSAI food license for a business owner is pretty straightforward. The entire process is available to complete online quickly and easily. The business owner can go to the official website for FSSAI and fill out a basic form that is available on the website.

After filling out the form, they need to sign-in with their credentials to upload up-to-date documents that the account asks for in their profile. The business owner can even track the application status online using the reference number they receive post submission of the form.

The application process also involves an inspection by the FSSAI authorities that make sure the business follows the safety standards mentioned by the authority. The completion of all these safety standards is the sole requirement to receive a valid FSSAI license.

Things To Look Out For To Get A Food License

There are a few things that the food business owners must take care of to pass the inspection. These rules and regulations are crucial to follow. The failure to do so may cause failure in the FSSAI inspection. In such a case, the business would not obtain an FSSAI license.
  • Cleanliness is an essential aspect of the inspection officers. The area of the food manufacturing and serving process in the case of a restaurant must be clean.
  • The storage of raw food and prepared food must be separated. Both these products have different storage temperatures as per safety standards, which are vital to maintaining.
  • The workers involved in the making process of the product must follow the clothing standards issued by FSSAI at all times.
  • The employees must cover trash cans or dustbins at all times. They should follow proper measures to throw the trash out.
People or employees who are sick or unwell must not handle the food while it is being prepared or served.