Fundamental Duties and Functions performed by FSSAI

Formulating Guidelines and Norms for Food Safety and Hygiene: Meticulously crafting comprehensive guidelines and norms to establish benchmarks for food safety practices and hygiene standards. Ensuring a robust regulatory framework that prevents and mitigates risks associated with unsafe food practices.

Launching Initiatives Nationwide for Food Safety Awareness: Spearheading nationwide initiatives to educate and sensitize the masses about the critical importance of adhering to food safety norms. Fostering a pervasive culture of awareness to empower individuals and communities to make informed choices for enhanced public health.

Granting Mandatory Food License and Registration to Food Business Operators: Issuing mandatory food licenses and registrations to food business operators (FBOs) engaged in the production, distribution, and sale of food. Reinforcing accountability and compliance within the food industry to guarantee the quality and safety of food products in the market.

Facilitating Recommendations to GOI for New Policies: Functioning as an advisory body to facilitate recommendations to the Government of India (GOI) for the formulation of new policies related to food safety and standards. Engaging in continuous research and collaboration to propose innovative measures responsive to the evolving landscape of the food industry.

Rolling Out Directions and Guidelines because of FSS Act, 2006:Disseminating directives and guidelines in adherence to the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006. Providing a compass for entities within the food sector, outlining requisite standards and protocols to ensure compliance with the legislative framework.

Taking Legal Actions Against Illicit Practices: Vigilantly taking legal actions against food businesses allegedly involved in illicit practices such as food adulteration. Operating within a stringent legal framework to uphold the integrity of the food supply chain and safeguard the interests of consumers.

Advantages of Acquiring an FSSAI Central License

1: Global Recognition: The FSSAI Central License establishes a worldwide identity for businesses, contributing to the creation of a brand name on a global scale.

2: Facilitates Business Expansion:

With the FSSAI Central License in place, expanding the food business to new locations and opening additional outlets becomes a streamlined process.

It enhances the ease of obtaining loans or securing funding for the overall development and growth of the business.

3: Legal Assurance:

The FSSAI License provides a sense of security and legal standing for all stakeholders involved in the food business.

It serves as tangible evidence that the quality and safety of the food meet established standards, instilling confidence in both consumers and regulatory authorities.

4: Enhances Consumer Awareness:

In an era where consumers are increasingly vigilant about the quality of the food they consume, possessing an FSSAI License provides a significant advantage.

The license not only assures consumers of adherence to safety standards but also positions the business favorably in the eyes of a discerning and expanding consumer base.

Requirements for Obtaining an FSSAI Central License

The FSSAI Central License, a crucial legal authorization granted by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), is available to food businesses meeting specific criteria:

Mandatory Criteria:

• Annual turnover exceeding Rs 20 crores, or
• Operations spanning multiple states, or
• Monthly or annual production surpassing the prescribed threshold limit.

Special Conditions for Application:

• Initiating a business in Nutraceuticals and Health Supplements.
• Engaged in transportation with a fleet of more than 100 vehicles.
• Operating a hotel with a 5-star or 7-star rating.

Additional Criteria for FSSAI Central License Include:

• Dairy facilities produce milk solids with an annual production of 50,000 liters or 2,500 megatons.
• Processing facilities involved in vegetable oil production with a daily volume of 2 MT.
• Slaughter facilities with a daily capacity of:
• 50 large animals,
• 150 small animals,
• 1,000 poultry birds.
• Meat processing facilities with a daily production capacity of 50 KG or 150 megatons.
• Food processing facilities with a daily production volume of 2 megatons.
• Food businesses engaged in shipping food articles abroad.
• Facilities with refrigeration or cold storage have a storage capacity of 1,000 megatons or more.
• Wholesalers in the food business with an annual turnover exceeding Rs 30 crores.
• Retailers and distributors of food articles with an annual turnover exceeding Rs 20 crores.
• Catering services or food marketing businesses with a yearly turnover exceeding Rs 20 crores.
• Restaurants and eating houses with an annual turnover of INR 20 Crore.
• Food catering services operating in government-based agencies, including seaports, airports, etc.

Adhering to these comprehensive criteria ensures that businesses obtain the FSSAI Central License, emphasizing compliance with food safety standards and regulatory measures.