UNDERSTANDING FSSAI CERTIFICATE: IMPORTANCE, PROCESS & BENEFITS

The FSSAI certificate is a key food license provided by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). It is required for all persons who engage in the food business—be it manufacturers, traders, restaurants, grocery shops, importers/exporters of food, or home kitchens. The certificate ensures that the food handled is as per the safety and hygiene requirements as per FSSAI, protecting public health.

FSSAI LICENSE TYPES & APPLICATION PROCESS
There exist three kinds of FSSAI licenses: Basic Registration, State License, and Central License, depending on the size of the business. For applying FSSAI license online, food business operators should log in to the official FSSAI website, register themselves, fill in the FSSAI certificate application form, and upload necessary documents like proof of identity, proof of business registration, plan of food safety management, and proof of address.

Upon submission, the application is examined, and inspection could be performed prior to the issue of the certificate. Upon approval, users can check the status of their FSSAI certificate application online via the portal using the application reference number.

FSSAI CERTIFICATE DOWNLOAD
After the grant of license, users are able to download the FSSAI certificate online from the FoSCoS portal. The 14-digit FSSAI license number is included in the certificate, which needs to be placed on food packaging and at the business location. Renewal has to be made regularly, and the validity is 1 to 5 years based on the duration of the license applied for.

FSSAI LICENSE APPLY FEES
The FSSAI license apply fees also differ based on the type of license and the term selected:
Basic Registration: ₹100 annually
State License: ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 annually
Central License: ₹7,500 annually

There could be some extra professional or consultancy charges if one opts for assistance from FSSAI license brokers, who provide support with documentation, portal submission, and legal provision.

FSSAI LICENSE BENEFITS
– Obtaining an FSSAI certificate is beneficial in many ways:
-Legal Compliance: Guarantees your food business is legally operating under Indian food legislation.
-Consumer Trust: Builds brand image and consumer trust.
-Business Growth: Facilitates expansion or market entry, particularly retail chains and online websites.
-Product Quality Maintenance: Assures hygiene and safety, with less customer complaint.
-Government Acceptance: Compulsory for taking government tenders and food contracts.

BRC CERTIFICATION & GLOBAL COMPLIANCE
Though FSSAI is the national food safety standard, exporters can also opt for BRC certification (British Retail Consortium), which is an international food safety standard. Both FSSAI and BRC certification makes Indian food companies export-ready and globally compliant.

FSSAI LICENSE BROKERS’ ROLE
For companies that are not familiar with legal processes, FSSAI license brokers or consultants can prove useful. They provide full-range assistance—from choosing the appropriate license category to document preparation and tracking of the application. Not being mandatory, they save time and minimize errors in the application process.

Lastly, it is not just the law that makes certificate procurement obligatory; it’s also a valuable advantage that fosters trust, increases brand reputation, and enables growth. With easy online application, hassle-free download of the certificate, and facilities to check FSSAI certificate application status, compliance has become simpler and more transparent with the government.