FSSAI food license registration and FSSAI FOSCOS India FAQs

by varun · Published December 1, 2020 · Updated December 24, 2021

FSSAI

FSSAI stands for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. FSSAI is an autonomous body established under the the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. It is an autonomous body that monitors and govern food business in India. FSSAI is mainly responsible for protecting and promoting public health through rules and guidelines. FSSAI make sure that FSSAI requirements are taken care by food industry in India.

The FSSAI was established under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act). FSSAI guidelines are legal obligations for anyone operating a food business in India. FSSAI rules can be accessed by anyone on FSSAI official site. FSSAI is also responsible for licensing and supervision of Food operators within India. FSSAI and food safety are two side of a same coin. It make sure that under FSSAI regulation, every food operator undergo a quality check for food adulteration and sub standard products.

In this article, we are going to discuss some important FAQs related to FSSAI and FOSCOS FSSAI-

Q – What is the full form of FSSAI?

A – FSSAI stands for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. The FSSAI was established under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act). FSSAI guidelines are legal obligations for anyone operating a food business in India.

Q – What are the statutory power given to FSSAI under FSSAI act?

A – Following statutory power have been given to FSSAI under FSSAI regulation-

Framing of FSSAI regulations to lay down food safety standards.
Framing FSSAI rules for accreditation of laboratories for food testing.
Giving support and technical advice to central government on issues of food safety as per latest FSSAI findings.
Developing international food standards.
Collecting data Pan India level on food consumption to facilitate food safety as per FSSAI.
Promoting awareness about food safety in India.

Q – Is food licensing and registration mandatory under law?

A – Yes, every Food business operator or FBO need to register for either FSSAI license or FSSAI registration under FSSAI act 2006.

Q – Is FSSAI license and FSSAI registration same thing?

A – No, FSSAI registrational nd FSSAI license are different.

Q – What are the different types of registration under FSSAI official rule?

A – There are three types of FSSAI license and registration. These are –

FSSAI registration
FSSAI state license
FSSAI central license

Q – What is the difference between licenses mentioned above?

A – As per official FSSAI requirements and FSSAI rule, FSSAI licensing and registration is done on the basis of turnover and scale of FSSAI approved business. Criteria used for these are-

FSSAI registartion – FSSAI registration is required by a petty food business operator like food stalls. Any FBO whose annual turnover is less than Rs 12 Lakhs need to apply for FSSAI registration on FSSAI official website.
FSSAI state license – As per FSSAI requirements, medium sized food business operator need to apply for a FSSAI state license. Food business whose turnover is less than Rs 12 Crores annually need to apply for FSSAI state license.
FSSAI central license – Large food business operators whose turnover exceeds 20 Crores per year can apply for FSSAI central license. Businesses involved in import or export of food items also need to registered under FSSAI central license.

Q – What is the structure of a FSSAI license?

A – FSSAI license number or FSSAI registration number is a 14 digit number that needs to be printed on all food packages. The registration number provides details about assembling state and and producer’s permit.

Q – Can i apply online for FSSAI no?

A – Yes, you can apply online for FSSAI on FSSAI official website and FOSCOS portal.

Q – What is the registration process on FSSAI official site?

A -To start FSSAI registration, Form A need to be submitted to central food safety officer at food and safety department.
FSSAI food safety officer can either accept or reject application depending upon merit of FSSAI application. Intimation of both need to be provided to applicant within 7 days of receipt of application.
If all FSSAI requirements are fulfilled then department will grant a FSSAI registration certificate to the applicant. FSSAI registration certificate will contain 14 digit FSSAI number along with photograph of applicant. FSSAI registration certificate can also be downloaded from FSSAI official website.
FSSAI regulation mandates every FBO to display FSSI registration certificate at the prominent places within premise.

Q – What are the documents required for FSSAI registration?

A – To get complete FSSAI official documents requirement, kindly visit FSSAI documents required.

Q – What are the benefits of FSSAI Food license?

A – Various benefits of FSSAI license includes-

Consumer trust for FSSAI approved business
Legal advantage for FSSAI approved business
FSSAI logo is a hallmark of food safety
Business expansion for FSSAI company

Q – What do you mean by central food safety officer?

A – Central food safety officer is an officer recruited under FSSAI rule. Main responsibility of food safety officer is to make sure that each FBO comply with FSSAI rule.

Q – Who is FSSAI technical officer?

A – FSSAI technical officer are designated officer who mainly looks into food safety standards.

Q – What are the consequences of non compliance with FSSAI rule?

A – FSSAI approved business has to comply with FSSAI regulation and FSSAI rules. FSSAI food safety officer can conduct the inspection of business anytime. Based on compliance level, food safety officer can issue a improvement notice. FSSAI food safety officer can cancel FSSAI license of FBO given his repeated non compliance.

Q – What are different examples of Non Compliance as per FSSAI requirements?

A – Following are the examples of non compliance as per FSSAI-

Selling food that is not of quality or standard mandated by FSSAI rule
Sub standard food as per FSSAI requirements
Misbranded food
Misleading advertisement as per FSSAI rule
Extraneous matter in food
Failure to comply with FSSAI Food safety officer direction
Unhygienic processing or manufacturing
Punishment for carrying out a business without a FSSAI license
Punishment for Obstructing or Impersonating Food Safety Officer
Possessing adulterant
penalty for contravention under FSSAI regulation
Punishment for unsafe food
Punishment for interfering with seized items
Punishment for false information
Punishment for subsequent offences
Compensation in case of a death or injury of a customer

Q – What does FOSCOS stands for?

A – FOSCOS stands for Food Safety Compliance System.

Q – Will FOSCOS FSSAI replace existing FLRS?

A – Yes, FOSCOS has replaced existing FLRS system.

Q – In which states FOSCOS has been launched?

A – FOSCOS has been launched in the states of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Gujarat, Goa, Odisha, Manipur, Delhi, Chandigarh and Ladakh.

Q – Will existing FSSAI existing credentials be valid in new FOSCOS portal?

A – Yes, user can login with existing username and password on FOSCOS portal.

Q – What are the various section of new FOSCOS portal?

A – Following are the section on FOSCOS FSSAI website–

Track application
Know your officer
FBO Search
How to apply
Application processing
Latest announcement on FOSCOS
HELP/Topics on FOSCOS FSSAI
Helpdesk

Q – What is the validity period for FSSAI registration no?

A – FSSAI registration no or FSSAI license is valid for period up to five years.

Q – Can one renew FSSAI no?

A – Yes, You can renew your FSSAI registration.

Q – When can i renew my FSSAI license?

A – Ideally one should renew FSSAI no at least 120 days before expiry date.

Q – What the various steps to renew FSSAI license on FOSCOS FSSAI website?

A – Steps are mentioned below-

Existing FBOs can submit their request for FSSAI license renewal on FOSCOS portal. This request can be made on renew tab under FOSCOS portal. Renew tab is open for 120 days till expiry of license.
It is advisable to renew your license latest by 30 days before expiry date.
FSSAI authorized FBO should login to their account on FOSCOS site using their Username and password. Small petty business can enter their E mail or mobile number to receive OTP.
After login in FOSCOS portal, FBO should click on renewal tab on FOSCOS website.
Click on “Apply for renewal of License/Registration”
Select the license number to be renewed. It is to be noted if food license has already expired then this option would not be visible on FOSCOS official website.
Finally, applicant need to submit online application for renewal

Q – What do you mean by FSSAI Form B?

A – This application is applicable for renewal for FSSAI license and is also known as FSSAI form B

Q – What is FSSAI form A?

A – The application is applicable for renewal for FSSAI registration is also known as FSSAI form A.

Q – How can one check FSSAI renewal status?

A – FSSAI renewal status can be checked on FSSAI FOSCOS portal or by calling FSSAI helpline no 1800112100

Q – How can one check FSSAI no online?

A – You can check FSSAI no online by visiting FSSAI official website.

Q – How long can i expect to get my FSSAI license?

A – Basic FSSAI registration is processed within 7 days and FSSAI central license as well as FSSAI state license is delivered in 30 days.

Q – How can i check my FSSAI application status?

A – You can check FSSAI application status online at FSSAI official website or by FSSAI helpline no 1800112100

Q – Do i need to register for FSSAI if i am selling small home made stuff?

A – Yes, you should register for a FSSAI registration which is applicable for petty food business operator under FSSAI regulation

Q – I have units in two different states, which type of license should i register for?

A – You should register for FSSAI central license.

Q – Who is responsible for implementation of FSSAI act, 2006?

A – Food Safety and Standards Authority of India with the help of State Food Authorities are responsible for implementation & enforcement of FSSA, 2006.

Q – What are the objectives of FSSAI ?

A – Following are the objectives of FSSAI-

Laying down science based standards for articles of food
To regulate manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import of food
To facilitate food safety.

Q – What do you mean by FSSAI improvement notice?

A – Improvement notice is issued by a Designated Food safety officer to a FBO it fails to comply with official FSSAI rules.

Q – Can a Designated officer cancel license?

A – Yes, a DO can cancel FSSAI food license if FBO fails to comply with improvement notice after allowing a show cause.

Q – Can i modify my FSSAI license?

A – Yes, you can modify your FSSAI license.

Q – If a medical store is selling dietary supplement then should it register for FSSAI license?

A – Yes, Any FBO including medical store need to register for FSSAI registration if it is selling dietary supplements.

Q – Does packaged bottled drinking water come under FSSAI regulation.

A – Yes, it comes under FSSAI regulation.

Q – Can i make online payment on FSSAI?

A – Yes

Q – How can i perform FSSAI online payment?

A – You can perform FSSAI online payment by credit or debit card and net banking. FSSAI online payment is required at the time of fresh FSSAI registration or FSSAI license renewal.

Q – Do i need a FSSAI license if i want to import food products?

A – Yes, you would require a FSSAI central license to import food products from other countries. You would also require IE code.

Q – Is FSSAI license mandatory if i distribute or trade food products?

A – Yes FSSAI license is mandatory even if you trade or distribute food products.

Q – Do catering business require a FSSAI license?

A – Yes catering business require a FSSAI license

Q – What are official FSSAI helpline no?

A – FSSAI helpline no is 1800112100

Q – How can i access FSSAI in Hindi?

A – You can access FSSAI in Hindi on FSSAI official website.

Q – Is FSSAI company and FSSAI same?

A – No, they are not same. FSSAI company is FSSAI approved business operator while FSSAI is central authority that is designated to govern food business operator and frame FSSAI regulation.

Q – Is FSSAI a government body?

A – Yes, FSSAI is government authorized central body.

Q – What are the different type of FSSAI registration?

A – There are three type of FSSAI license or registration-

FSSAI registration for petty business
FSSAI state license for medium sized food operators
FSSAI central license for large sized food business.