The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the Government approved and legal authority offering food licenses to food business operators (FBO) within the country. All FBOs have to follow the rules and regulations that they put out for the sake of food quality control. An FBO requires an FSSAI License or Registration depending on multiple factors like the size of production, management of food businesses, and range of operation. In the FSSAI Registration process, the FBO receives a 14 digit number that they have to print on all the food packages that they manufacture.
While applying for a food licence might not be a priority, the process is one of the most significant things a business owner would need if they are planning on running an establishment within the food industry. With the rules getting tougher and tougher to follow, even caterers have to begin the application process for an FSSAI licence.
Applying and receiving an FSSAI licence is mandatory since it dictates that the establishment has followed the Governments rules for the production of their food. Furthermore, this is not only for companies who are directly engaged in food production but could also be a part of the process through packaging, distribution, storage and anything else connected to the industry. The main reason for this is creating some standardisations across the food industry across the country.
FSSAI Registration ensures the security of food products, simply put, it is essentially a food safety certificate circulated by the food authority in India. All the manufacturers, traders, restaurants, grocery shops, importers and exporters are eligible for issuing FSSAI Licence. These licences make sure food products undergo specific quality checks, thereby decreasing the cases of adulteration, substandard products.
The registration, although simple and straightforward, does need a couple of documents that need to be submitted. If all the forms and the details mentioned match the supporting documents and certificates, there will be an in-person inspection as well. Furthermore, there are three different levels of registration and multiple application forms that have to be submitted for this process to go through. These are ideally done through a professional service since if handled incorrectly, or if there are discrepancies, the applicant will have to pay huge fines and penalties.
Many private companies are assisting with this process for shops and businesses that have not handled it since they have experience working on this process for various clients in the past. Other than just the process of registration, they also assist with other requirements through the FSSAI portal, like making changes to the licence if they are considering trying out a new vertical. They can assist with going through the renewal process since food licences have an expiration date. They can help get an FSSAI License which can intensify the quality of your food if you are interested in the food business in Delhi.