Do you want to start a food business, such as a restaurant, dhaba, or cloud kitchen? If yes, then you have to do a very important thing: get an FSSAI license. Earlier, this process was very difficult, but now the government has made it very easy by making it online. Now you can get this license in no time, sitting at home. So let’s know what the FSSAI license is, why it is important, and what easy steps you have to take to get it.
What is FSSAI and why is it important
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) is an important department of the Government of India. It works under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, not the Ministry of Revenue or Justice. Its main job is to ensure that all food products sold in the country and their related businesses are safe and of good quality. Since the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006, it has been mandatory for every food business to get a certificate from FSSAI.
Types of FSSAI License
There are three types of FSSAI licenses depending on the size of your business and the products:
FSSAI Basic Registration
This is for small businesses with an annual turnover of less than ₹12 lakh.
FSSAI State License
This is for businesses with an annual turnover between ₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore.
FSSAI Central License
This is for large businesses, importer-exporters, and businesses with multi-state operations with a turnover of more than ₹20 crore.
Documents required for the FSSAI license
According to the FSSAI website, only a few documents are required for the license or registration:
Your recent passport-size photo.
Any government-issued identity card, such as an Aadhaar card, PAN card, or voter ID card.
If the address on your identity card is different from your business address, then you must provide proof of business address (such as an electricity bill or rent agreement).
Online process through the FoSCoS portal
All the processes of FSSAI are now done online through the FoSCoS (Food Safety Compliance System) portal. With the help of this portal, you can apply for your registration or license from the comfort of your home. This not only saves time but also eliminates the hassle of paperwork. If you also want to start your food business legally, then first apply for an FSSAI license so that you can focus on your business without any worry.