A license that allows you to do a food business in India is called food licensing. Moreover, this license is offered by Food Safety & Standard Authority of India (FSSAI).

Food license issued by FSSAI is, indeed, a mandatory document required by every FBO to start and run any food business in India. Food license assists the Food Business Operators in the following ways.

1. Advantage

Since food license is mandatory by law for all the participants in the food industry, holding a food license provides the FBOs with a advantage. The FBOs having a valid food license is protected from any penalization in case of sudden FSSAI inspections. The cost of obtaining a food license is lesser than the penalty amount.

2. Customer Base

The FSSAI logo is considered as a label of trust for the consumers. However, possessing a food license and using the FSSAI logo on the packaging of the food items gives a competitive advantage to the FBO. The FSSAI logo attracts a large number of people and hence contributes to the customer base of the food business.

3. Business Expansion

A food license provides the food business with the opportunity of expansion. For instance, an entrepreneur may open a chain of outlets of his food business in different states if he has obtained the FSSAI central license. Moreover, a food license may help the FBO to receive loans and fundings from the bank for business expansion.

4. Assurance of quality

An FBO can obtain a food license only after passing the quality test conducted by the Food and Safety officers. Hence, any FBO holding a food license assures the consumer that the food item has been chemically tested and approved in the quality check by FSSAI. As consumers are becoming more aware these days, a food license holder gets more preference due to its standard and quality.

FSSAI food licensing is, however, an effective way to ensure that the food items that are being circulated and consumed are safe and free of toxic elements that can affect public health. The FSSAI licensing procedure has been designed in a simple and organized way through FLRS so that every FBO can apply for it easily. Due to the digitalization of the process, the time consumption is low. Thus, the official website of FSSAI provides a guide for the FBOs to help them to complete the licensing process without any hassle.

The documents required for food license registration are based on the kind of food business, the food business operators are dealing with. The common documents required for applying for a food license are as follows.

• Duly filled and signed Form-B
• Authority letter along with name and address of the responsible person
• NOC from Municipality or local governing body
• Ministry of Commerce Certificate for 100% EOU
• IE Code document issued by DGFT
• ID and address proof of FBO
• Category of the food item
•  A Copy of certificate received under the Coop Act, 1861/Multi State Coop Act, 2002 in case of Cooperatives
• Declaration Form
• Names of Directors or Members of Society/Trust with full address and contact details
• List of Machinery with their registration number, the functioning capacity, and power usage
• Form IX containing the nomination of persons by a company with the Board Resolution
• Blueprint of the manufacturing unit
• Food Safety Management System Plan or certificate
• Supporting proof of turnover.