FSSAI Food Safety Registration
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FSSAI: AN OVERVIEW
In 2006, the Government of India, under the leadership of Union Minister, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss, led to the establishment of a Statutory Body Called "FSSAI" (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. FSSAI is a body that works under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, GOI, controlled by an Executive chairman (appointed by the central Gov.) including 22 Members look after the "food safety and food regulation" in India. FSSAI came into the picture on 5th September 2008, with its headquarters established in New Delhi. It also has 6 Regional Offices located in Delhi, Guwahati, Mumbai, Kolkata, Cochin, and Chennai, along with having 14 referral laboratories and 72 Laboratories across the nation. FSSAI launched Food Safety Compliance System (“FoSCoS”) on 1st June 2020 replacing the existing online registration system of FLRS.
As the name suggests "FSSAI- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India," the leading working of FSSAI is to look after the food Industries in the nations and keep a close eye on the quality of Food, materials used, standards regulations, contaminations, emerging risks, food safety, nutrition, etc. FSSAI ensures that the food products are of top quality, maintaining the standards. It ensures that there does not happen any food adulteration and sale of sub-standard products to the customers or consumers affecting their health, hygiene, immunity, nutritional intakes, etc. So, to take account of all the food industries going under the nose of Indian territory, the FSSAI has specific rules, statutes, and regulations that are binding upon all the producers present in the food industry. As, part and parcel of the powers of the body, it looks after the quality check test, registering, licensing, renewal, return filings, complaints, etc. which are certain established norms, regulations, and Code of Conduct which is mandatory and binding upon the "Food Business Operators (FBO)" in India, i.e., whoever is operating a food business in the country. If you are into starting a large scale "Food Industry" or a small scale "Food Business" or even thinking to start a small "Food Truck or a restaurant or dinner or a window Kitchen, etc." then this is probably the best space for you to know all about the Food Industry Legal Compliances or FSSAI Legal Compliance, the ways which you have been looking for to kick start your lawful and risk-free Food Business Operations.
FSSAI Registration: Why needed?
"Ignorantia Juris non-excusat," a Latin legal maxim that states a principle of law, means "Ignorance of Law is not an excuse." A well-known jurist Thomas Jefferson stated that "Ignorance of the Law is no excuse in a country because if it were, the law would surely lose its effects and enforcement as pretenses of unawareness is always possible for the common people so no one would feel the need to be accountable and will find themselves free not obliged by law." Looking into this leading legal principle, it is important to understand the liabilities associated with ignorance of any laws, rules, and regulations made mandatory for the people. FSSAI has various binding rules regulations, making it mandatory for the food industry operators as per the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 & (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011, to have FSSAI Registration.
Basics of FSSAI Registration
Form A is known as "FSSAI Basic Registration," which must be filled by the FIO (Food Industry Operators), who have a turnover of less than ₹12 Lakh per annum.
Eligibility for FSSAI Registration
If you are a Food Industry Operator who is confused about whether your industry will fall under the food Industry criterion or re-thinking about whether you are mandated by law to have a registration or not? Or thinking about your eligibility and obligations by law to mandatorily apply for the Registration or not?
Well! then the below table released by the FSSAI as prescribed standards under the "Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011, will be pretty helpful for you to conclude. The table below shows a list of prescribed standard food industries liable to have a particular kind of FSSAI Registration depending upon their turnover, structure, function, etc.
FSSAI REGISTRATION IS FOR:
Petty retailers and retail shops such as Retail Shop, Snacks shop, Confectionery or Bakery Shop, etc.Temporary stalls or fixed stall or food premise involved in the preparation, distribution, storage, and sale of food products such as Gol Gappa stall, chat stall, fruits/vegetable vendors, Tea Stall, snacks stall, Bread pakoda stall, Samosa stall, Chinese food stall, South Indian food stall, sweet stall, juice shops, etc.Hawkers who sell packaged or freshly prepared Food by traveling (usually on foot or movable carts) from one location to another.FSSAI Registration is a basic Registration, and it is required for all the FBOs involved in the small-scale food business and the can be elaborated to contain the following businesses:
Any FBO with an annual turnover of not more than Rs. 12 lakhs.Petty retailer dealing in food products.Any person who manufactures or sells any food article by himself.The temporary stallholder makes food sales.Any individual who distributes Food in any religious or social gathering except a caterer PhotoGovernment-issued Photo ID such as AADHAAR, PAN, Voter ID, etc.Proof of Address of Businesses activity (if the address is other than as mentioned in Photo ID Card)Business establishment proof is like, Partnership deeds, certificates of incorporation, shop and establishment Registrations, and other business registration certificates are required constituent certificates.Proof of business premises possession, such as a rental agreement, a letter of authorization from the owner of the rented premises, utility bills, and so onFood safety PlanBank statementsNOC from panchayat or Municipality, etc.Registration Fees:
When submitting the FSSAI registration form, the applicant/FBO must pay the fees. The FSSAI Registration Charges for Basic Registration Categories is Rs. 100 per year.
The applicant can follow the following steps to file for the Registration:
Applicants need to visit the FoSCoS official Portal to fill out the online registration form.In this case of "Registration," the client needs to fill the Form-A (for the business has an annual turnover of less than Rs.12 Lakhs)The FIO applicant needs to go to the "Online Registration."Click on "Apply for Registration"If not comfortable with the online process, the FBOs can also go for the offline "registration" process. The offline Form-A is needed to be filled and required documents to be attached and the form is to be submitted to the Department of Food and Safety.(NOTE: The relevant documentation as asked in the form must be submitted with the FSSAI registration form. The documentation must be uploaded to the FoSCoS portal during the application process.)
Grant of FSSAI "Registration."
If the FSSAI Registration goes successful after the Department's scrutinization, either online or offline, with proper documents submission, clear inspection outcomes, and bonafide information by the FBO, the Department will grant the Registration.
The FSSAI registration certificate will subsequently be issued, including the registration number and a photo of the applicant's email address. By logging into the FoSCoS portal, the applicant can also download the FSSAI registration certificate.
The FSSAI registration certificate shall be conspicuously displayed at the FBO during business hours. "Registration" leads to issuing a 14-digit registration number that appears on every packaged Food that comes from the producer or FBO or the applicant. The 14-digit reg. The number provides information about the assembly state and the producer's permit. This Registration aims to make the FBO more responsible for maintaining food safety and quality goods.
Rejection of "Registration" Application
Registration Application Rejection is a part of the process that may occur due to various simple errors or documents missing or dissatisfaction from the Department's end. Your application may get rejected or unaccepted or may be kept at a halt.
FSSAI is a straight-lined statutory body, which alone has the power and duty to keep an eye on the ill working and defects of the food industry in the nation. In 2009 FSSAI instigated something called "Safe Food, Tasty Food, "a pilot project to ensure the restaurants' improved, safe, and excellent quality foods services. This project is one out of many initiatives taken by FSSAI, which leaves no mark unstarched upon the fact of FSSAI straight line working policies and statutes.
Within seven days of receiving an application, either physically or electronically through the FoSCoS portal, the Department can accept or reject the FSSAI registration form.
If the application is denied, the applicant must be notified in writing. Proper documentation, bonafide information on the applicant's form, and good FSSAI Department conduct food premises inspection results have significant effects on your "registration process.
Non-compliance's Consequences
Any person who wishes to go for Registration needs to comply with all the proper documentation or, say, with the compliance works. Registration Applicant must abide by all the FSSAI Act's rules and regulations.
Some of the possible drawbacks of Non-Compliance are:
Rejection of "Registration Application."Non- application of Registration or Non- Registration may lead to a fine of up to Rs.5 Lakhs as per India's Food Safety and Standards Authority If any person or food company operator (excluding those exempted from licensing) is needed to obtain a Registration but manufactures, trades sells, or distributes any food commodity without one, they may be sentenced to up to 6 months in prison and punishment of up to Rs. 5,00,000 in fines.It is always suggested to the Food Industry Operators to keep the legal compliance works on top of all the other procedures needed to be followed to run a happy, smooth, upscaling, and risk-free Food Industry. You may always find various sources regarding Legal Compliance work, but it is essential to choose the most experienced experts to trust your dream. Our dedicated and most experienced team of Professionals at “complianceease.in” are waiting to help you out in the best possible way out.
WHY DO YOU NEED FSSAI REGISTRATION?
Suppose you are someone who is into the food business carrying out the activities like manufacturing, storage, processing, distribution, and sale of any food products or products, which in any sense can be categorized as Food or its derivatives. In that case, it is a compulsory obligation to obtain the FSSAI Registration. Legal Compliance work is not a corporate piece of work; instead, it involves due care caution, knowledge about the legal work, documentation, drafting, etc., which is very obvious to go wrong if you are not a legal expert. Never Worry! We at "complianceease.in " are here to assist you 24/7. If you need any assistance, reach out at 9773646999 or feel free to even drop us an email to info@complianceease.in. We have a dedicated team working together "Simplifying Legalities & Fostering Governance."