Food License Requirement in India

In order to ensure the food quality and safety and health of the public in general FSSAI guidelines are issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. This is the reason Food License is also termed as Food Safety License.

Who is required to apply for a Food License?

FSSAI department has clearly specified that every businessman who is in any way involved in the food business is required to apply for a Food License. Such person, natural or legal is termed as Food Business Operator (FBO). Food Business Operator can be involved in any nature of business including manufacturing, trading, packaging, re-packaging, processing, catering, hotel & restaurants, storage etc. This list even includes the import or export of food items.

Food License Registration in India

In India, Food License can be obtained by filing an online application on the official FSSAI portal. After due consideration of the submitted application by the FSSAI officers, Food License is issued by them. This Food License contains a 14 digit unique registration number.

The applicant is required to determine the category of Food License they are required to apply for based on the level of their expected annual turnover. They have an option to either apply for a food license with one-year validity or for food license with 5 years validity. Every registered FBO is required to submit an application for fssai renewal for food business at least 30 days before the end of such validity period. In case they fail to renew their Food License, they will be liable to pay penalty for such provision’s contravention.