The objective behind the formulation of this Act was to ensure the safety and health of the consumers. The Act was in force since its inception, but now it has made mandatory for every person engaged in food business to register with  food license online or the Food Safety Standards Authority of India. Food-related businesses need to comply with the Act and ensure their own and the customer’s safety.

Why has FSSAI License been made mandatory?

The objective behind the establishment of FSSAI was to lay stress on self-regulation rather than external policing. FSSAI’s Scientific experts frequently organize workshops to help people associated with food business to understand the Food Safety Act and why acquiring FSSAI license has been made mandatory for people engaged in the food business.

The agency is working to make people aware of the intentions behind the laying of this Act. The provisions of this Act are such that the scope of problems and harassment in acquiring an FSSAI license are reduced to a minimum. The State Governments are also doing their bit to bring awareness to people.

Procedure for applying for FSSAI License

1. If you are applying online, visit the FSSAI authorized site and open the Home Page. Move to the Registration/license tab and choose to Apply for Registration/license from a drop-down menu.
2. Next page will open, and you are required to fill accurate details in a clear and precise manner.
3. If your business operations enjoy a presence in a lot of states, select yes and if operating only from one location, select No.
4. Select the category of business you are engaged in. Depending on the category chosen, check the turnover or capacity so as to determine the eligibility for that category. Even a street food vendor or trader needs to choose the category and apply.
5. If you are working from multiple locations, you will need to acquire a separate license for every location. In case, you are working from more than one states; you will have to apply for a central license as well as a license for every state where you have your operations.
6. Next click on Proceed. A new page will open, and you need to select the type of business you operate for State or Central license.
7. Choose an appropriate option from the drop-down menu of license categories. Click to apply on each against the license category.
8. You need to apply for Single Central License for all businesses in case you are applying for Registered/Head Office in addition to other businesses in two more states.
9. Next, you will be directed to the Central Licensing Page if you come under the purview of the Central License category. Here, you are required to fill an application form as per the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006. As soon as the application is duly filled, click on save and next.
10. On the next page, you have to fill details like food processing unit, and a variety of relevant business details.
11. The form needs to be filled with care and precision, and only the generic names need to be filled. The food products you are mentioning in the form must be approved as per the FSS Act 2006.
12. Care should be taken while filling up the information as it will reflect on your license.
13. Once all the details have been filled in, you need to make payment on the payment page. It is a safe and secure gateway.

Non-Compliance with FSSAI Act

The traders who do not comply with the FSSAI Act and do not acquire a license may have to pay a fine of Rs. 5 Lakh. The Government is ensuring compliance with Online FSSAI License in India. This way, food products available for sale, distribution, etc., is assumed to be fit for human consumption.

Considering the troubles faced by the traders in acquiring a license, the government is planning to set up a perfect mechanism that makes applying for the license easy and convenient.