FSSAI CONSULTANTS INDIA

Food Saftey Mitra

. What is a FSSAI license

An FSSAI license is a mandatory permit in India for any business involved in food, from manufacturing to selling, ensuring they meet safety and quality standards set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India It's required for all Food Business Operators (FBOs) and varies by turnover, with options for Basic (up to ₹12 Lakh turnover), State (₹12 Lakh to ₹20 Crore), and Central (over ₹20 Crore or multi-state/import/export) licenses, all aimed at preventing food adulteration and ensuring public health

Who Needs It

  • Restaurants, hotels, caterers, cloud kitchens.
  • Manufacturers, processors, wholesalers, distributors, retailers.
  • Food transporters, storage units, and food vending agencies.

Purpose:

  • To guarantee food safety and hygiene standards in India.
  • To regulate the food industry and prevent the sale of substandard or dulterated products.
  • To build consumer trust by ensuring quality compliance.

Types of FSSAI Licenses:

Basic Registration: 

For small businesses like home bakers or hawkers with an annual turnover up to ₹12 Lakh.

State License:  

For mid-sized businesses operating within a single state, with turnover between ₹12 Lakh and ₹20 Crore. 

Central License: 

For large businesses (turnover over ₹20 Crore) or those involved in import/export or operating across multiple states.

When GST is mandatory for a food business:

Turnover Threshold: Annual turnover crosses ₹40 lakhs (₹20 lakhs in specific states).

Inter-State Sales:Selling food products to other states.

E-commerce: Listing products on platforms like Swiggy, Zomato, Amazon, or Flipkart.

FSSAI Application: Required for certain FSSAI schemes like the Tatkal License. 

Who is required to file the FSSAI Annual Return

  • . Food Manufacturers: Any FBO involved in the production or processing of food products.
  • ". Dairy Product Manufacturers: Businesses involved in the manufacture/processing of milk or milk products (also file half-yearly returns)."
  • . Repackers & Relabellers: Entities that repack or relabel food products.
  • . Importers: All food business operators importing food items into India.
  • . License Holders: Generally, businesses with a State or Central FSSAI License

Key Criteria for Filing

  • . Activities: Manufacturing, Importing, Exporting, Relabelling, and Repacking.
  • . Annual Turnover: Typically required for businesses with a turnover exceeding ₹12 Lakhs.
  • . Exemptions: Retailers, food stalls, and small-scale food businesses holding only registration (not a license) are generally exempt.
  • . Due Date: The annual return (Form D-1) must be filed on or before 31st May of every year for the preceding financial year.

Penalty for Non-Compliance Annual Return

"Failure to file the annual return on time can lead to a penalty of ₹100 per day of delay, which can accumulate up to 5 times the annual license fee. "