FSSAI Registration

Introduction

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) was established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 with two key objectives:

To consolidate various food-related laws and regulations that were previously managed by different departments and ministries.
To set a science-based benchmark for food production, storage, distribution, import, and sale—ensuring that food is safe and healthy for consumers.

In Gujarat, FSSAI serves as the single regulatory body that formulates standards, rules, and regulations for the food industry. As a result, all food-related businesses operating in Gujarat are required to comply with these guidelines and register under FSSAI. Engaging a dedicated FSSAI registration consultant in Gujarat can help you secure your food license quickly and ensure that all documentation is properly managed.

Who Needs an FSSAI Registration Certificate

In Gujarat, an FSSAI Registration Certificate is mandatory for the following categories when the annual turnover exceeds INR 12 lakhs:

Food Business Operators (FBOs) involved in the production or sale of food items
Food retailers, itinerant vendors, or hawkers
Temporary or permanent food stallholders
Medium and large-scale food enterprises

Additionally, FSSAI registration is required when:

The daily production capacity of food exceeds 100 kg or litres
The daily procurement, handling, or collection of milk exceeds 500 litres
The daily slaughtering capacity is more than two large animals, 10 small animals, or 50 poultry birds

For food businesses with an annual turnover below INR 12 lakhs, the food license is not mandatory.

Benefits of Food License Registration

Once your food license is successfully registered, a 14-digit registration number is issued by the relevant government department and is often displayed on food packaging. In Gujarat, having an FSSAI registration offers several benefits:

Consumer Awareness:
Today’s consumers are increasingly vigilant about the safety and quality of their food. An FSSAI registration builds trust and can expand your customer base by assuring consumers of your product’s safety.
Enhanced Brand Image and Marketing Advantage:
Displaying an FSSAI number enhances your brand image and signifies superior food quality, giving you a competitive edge over unregistered operators.
Business Expansion:
With an FSSAI license, your business is more likely to establish a strong reputation, making it easier to secure loans and expand operations in Gujarat.
Legal Protection:
The registration helps safeguard your brand name from fraudulent use and protects you from penalties associated with non-compliance.

Types of FSSAI Registration/License

Different types of FSSAI registrations are available based on the size and scope of your food business in Gujarat:

FSSAI Basic Registration:
For small food businesses with an annual turnover of less than INR 12 lakhs. This option is ideal for startups and small-scale operators.
FSSAI State License Registration:
Applicable for medium-sized enterprises with an annual turnover between INR 12 lakhs and INR 20 crores. This license is suitable for businesses that have grown beyond the basic threshold.
FSSAI Central License Registration:
Required for larger food businesses, especially those involved in import/export or supplying food to various government departments. This license is necessary when the annual turnover exceeds INR 20 crores.

Eligibility for an FSSAI Central License

For food manufacturers and businesses in Gujarat seeking a Central License, the criteria include:

Manufacturers:
- Dairy units (including milk chilling units) handling more than 50,000 litres of milk per day or processing over 2,500 MT of milk solids per annum.
- Vegetable oil processing or production units with a daily capacity above 2 MT.
- Slaughtering units with a daily capacity of more than 50 large animals, 150 small animals, or 1,000 poultry birds.
- Meat processing units handling over 500 kg of meat per day or 150 MT per annum.
- Any food processing unit (including repackers and relabellers) with a daily capacity above 2 MT (excluding cereals, pulses, and grains milling units).
- Proprietary food businesses and 100% export-oriented units (regardless of scale).
Importers:
- All importers of food items, including additives and ingredients for business use, must register.
Other Businesses:
- Storage facilities, wholesalers, retailers, distributors, suppliers, caterers, hotels, restaurants, transporters, and marketers meeting specified turnover or capacity criteria.

Eligibility Criteria for a State License

For businesses in Gujarat with smaller operations, the State License criteria are as follows:

Manufacturers:
- Dairy units with a daily capacity between 501 and 50,000 litres or annual milk solids ranging from 2.5 MT to 2,500 MT.
- Vegetable oil units with a capacity of up to 2 MT per day, provided the turnover exceeds INR 12 lakhs.
- Slaughtering units with capacities below the thresholds specified for a Central License (e.g., between two and 50 large animals per day).
- Meat processing units handling up to 500 kg per day or 150 MT per annum.
- Other food processing units, including relabellers and repackers, with capacities ranging from 100 kg/litre to 2 MT per day.
Other Businesses:
- Storage facilities, wholesalers, retailers, distributors, suppliers, and caterers meeting the relevant turnover thresholds (e.g., wholesalers with turnover up to INR 30 crores, retailers/distributors/suppliers with turnover up to INR 20 crores).
- Small food vending establishments, dhabas, boarding houses, and home-based canteens with an annual turnover exceeding INR 12 lakhs.
- Hotels and restaurants that fall under specific star ratings and turnover criteria.
- Transporters with up to 100 vehicles or a turnover up to INR 30 crores.
- Marketers with a turnover up to INR 20 crores.

Note: For Food Business Operators (FBOs) with premises in multiple states, the head or registered office in Gujarat must obtain a Central License, while each additional outlet will need its own registration or license.

Details and Documents for FSSAI Registration in Gujarat

To complete your FSSAI registration in Gujarat, the following documents must be submitted:

Rent Agreement:
Proof of the address where the food business operates.
Entity Proof:
Documentation that verifies the legal existence of your business.
List of Food Products:
A detailed list of the food items you manufacture, process, or sell.
Photograph/Identity Proof:
Valid identity proof of the applicant or the authorized person responsible for the business.