Central FSSAI License

Comply with India's food safety laws & boost customer trust with Lordvenus.

Central FSSAI License

In India, every food business — from local street vendors to large-scale manufacturers — must legally complete FSSAI Registration online and secure a valid food license. This is essential to uphold food safety standards and maintain consumer confidence. Whether you’re producing, processing, packaging, distributing, or selling food items, FSSAI registration is mandatory under the law. This applies equally to home-based food startups, established restaurants, caterers, and even food importers. Failure to obtain the required FSSAI license can result in hefty fines, legal action, or even shutdown of business operations.

Benefits of Central FSSAI License

Consumer Awareness: Having a valid food license allows a food business operator (FBO) to market their business as one that meets quality and safety standards. This builds a positive image in the food industry and positions the business as a trusted choice among customers.
Business Growth: A valid food license makes it much easier for an FBO to expand their operations to new outlets or regions. With the food industry highly regulated, the certified title for food businesses to scale up, and FSSAI registration supports this expansion by adding credibility and trust.
Use of FSSAI Logo: Once licensed, a business can use the FSSAI logo on packaging, menu cards, and marketing materials. Displaying this logo assures customers that the food they consume complies with safety standards and is of good quality, strengthening the brand’s reputation.
Simpler Access to Loans and Funding: Every food business aims to grow into new markets and reach a wider audience. Holding a valid food license not only makes expansion smoother but also boosts your chances of securing loans or investments. Financial institutions and investors are more likely to fund businesses that follow regulatory requirements and demonstrate a commitment to quality.

Benefits of Central FSSAI License

Consumer Awareness: Having a valid food license allows a food business operator (FBO) to market their business as one that meets quality and safety standards. This builds a positive image in the food industry and positions the business as a trusted choice among customers.
Business Growth: A valid food license makes it much easier for an FBO to expand their operations to new outlets or regions. With the food industry growing rapidly, this is the perfect time for food businesses to scale up, and FSSAI registration supports this expansion by adding credibility and trust.
Use of FSSAI Logo: Once licensed, a business can use the FSSAI logo on packaging, menu cards, and marketing materials. Displaying this logo assures customers that the food they consume complies with safety standards and is of good quality, strengthening the brand’s reputation.
Simpler Access to Loans and Funding: Every food business aims to grow into new markets and reach a wider audience. Holding a valid food license not only makes expansion smoother but also boosts your chances of securing loans or funding.

Checklist Eligibility for Central FSSAI

  • Milk units includes milk cooling systems designed to handle or process more than 50,000 litres of liquid milk per day or 2500 million tons of solid milk per year.
  • Vegetable oil processing and production units through solvent extraction processes and refineries, including oil expeller units, produce more than 2 million tons daily.
  • Slaughter units manage more than 50,000 animals or 150 small animals or more than 1,800 poultry birds every day.
  • Meat processing units that process more than 500 kg of meat per day, or 1500 million tons per year.
  • All proprietary food producers.
  • All 100% export-oriented units.
  • Except rice, cereals and pulses, all food processing units, including re-labellers and re-packers, process more than 2 million tons a day.
  • All importers that import food items, including food ingredients and commercial additives.
  • Storage units with a capacity of more than 50,000 metric tons other than those with a controlled atmosphere and cold environment.
  • Cold or refrigerated storage with more than 10,000 million tons capacity
  • Controlled atmosphere + cold storage with volume over 1000 million tons
  • Wholesalers with an annual turnover greater than ₹ 30 crores
  • Retailers with turnover above ₹20 crores annually
  • Distributors with annual turnover above ₹20 crore.
  • Suppliers with annual turnover above ₹20 crore.
  • Caterers (such as in railway stations, airports, seaports, defence, etc.) across state borders.
  • Hotels rated 5-star and above.
  • Restaurants with an annual turnover of more than ₹ 20 crores
  • Carriers with more than 100 vehicles or more than ₹ 30 crores of annual turnover
  • Marketers whose turnover is equal to ₹ 20 crores per year
  • Food catering services provided by central government agencies such as defence, etc., in establishments and units
  • Storage or wholesalers or distributors with offices in central government departments
  • Food catering facilities at the seaports in different parts of India.

Features of FSSAI Central License

  • The FSSAI Central License is compulsory for any food business engaged in activities like imports, exports, or inter-state trade at a national level.
  • This license remains valid for a period of five years and must be renewed before its expiry to maintain compliance. To obtain the Central License, businesses must follow a detailed application procedure, which includes submitting necessary documents such as a food safety management plan, lab test reports, and proof of financial capacity.
  • The Central License is granted by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the apex body that oversees and enforces food safety and quality standards across the country.
  • Businesses holding a Central License must strictly follow FSSAI's safety norms and undergo regular inspections to ensure they remain compliant with all guidelines.
  • The license number must be clearly displayed on all food packaging and marketing materials to assure consumers of the product’s authenticity and safety.
  • Companies with a valid Central License can also take advantage of various export promotion initiatives and participate in international trade fairs and exhibitions to expand their business globally.

Steps involved in FSSAI Registration through LordVenus

  1. Our food license experts will set up a call with you, and then we will collect all the necessary documents, and we will verify them.
  2. After thoroughly checking your documents, we will start the registration process, and we will keep you updated throughout the process.
  3. Once the registration is completed, you will get the FSSAI license

Consequences and Penalties for Non-Compliance

Each individual authorized or approved by the FSSAI must follow the rules and regulations outlined in the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006. The food security officer conducts a general inspection of the food production facility and agrees on compliance using the checklist.

The food protection officer describes it in keeping with the standard of conformity as:

  • Compliance (C)
  • Non-compliance (NC)
  • Partial compliance (CP)
  • Not observed/Not applicable (NA)
  • If the food quality does not comply with the Act, the minimum fine amount is ₹25,000 for small manufacturer or ₹2 lakh turnover.
  • If the food is below standards, the fine is ₹5 lakhs.
  • For misbranded foods, the fine amount is ₹3 lakhs.
  • With an inaccurate representation of food by deceptive advertising, the fine amount is ₹10 lakhs.
  • For non-compliance with Food Safety Officer instructions - The penalty value is ₹2-3 lakhs.
  • For extraneous food items - The fine sum is ₹1 lakh.

Penalty if a Company Operates Without an FSSAI License

A food business owner or operator conducts business operations without acquiring FSSAI license shall be punishable as specified in the Act. The person or firm found guilty of any violation may be punished with up to six months’ imprisonment and a fine.

Penalty if the Food Article is Sub-Standard

If a person or a company is found selling substandard quality of food and flouting the compliance requirements, the same shall be penalised within a time with a fine.

Penalty if a Food Item Is Below the Specified Standard

If an individual or a business is found selling lower quality of food and violating the criteria of enforcement, then it shall be penalised with a fine. The owners or companies exempted for non-compliance under subparagraph (2) of section 31 of this Act shall be liable for a penalty.

Penalty for Faulty Branding

If an individual or a business produces or engages in the storage, selling, distribution, or importation of misbranded food products, a penalty shall be levied with a fine. He or she will either have to destroy those food items or take immediate measures.

Penalty for Food Items Containing Unwanted or Foreign Matter

When an individual or a corporation manufactures, sells, or imports food products for human consumption that are found to contain extraneous or alien matter, they are liable for a fine. Food businesses in India need to ensure compliance with FSSAI regulations to protect the health and safety of consumers and avoid potential consequences and penalties. If you have any questions about FSSAI regulations or the consequences of non-compliance, you should consult with a legal professional or seek guidance from the FSSAI.

Documents Required for FSSAI Central License

The documents required for FSSAI central license are mostly similar to that of the state license. Likewise, depending on the kind of business, the business owners will also have to submit the following documents:

  • A disclosure form declaring all features stated are true
  • An authorisation letter to apply for an FSSAI central license
  • Form A or Form B
  • Cancelled cheque copy
  • A self-declared copy of the Food Safety Management System Plan
  • Your passport-size photographs
  • Copy of rent agreement or the documents of the property
  • Copy of NOC by municipality or panchayat
  • If you own a food factory or bases, business papers are required
  • In case the office premises is leased property, a model of the rent agreement is required
  • Additionally, a self-declared copy of the Food Safety Management System Plan
  • A copy of the electric power and water bill of the business community
  • Moreover, a copy of the Aadhar card of the owner or manager of the company