Simplify Your FSSAI Registration: How to Get Your Food Certificate Online
Introduction
The food business world is recognized by perfect compliance with safety regulations. Ensuring your business meets these standards can either break or make the reputation of your brand. A necessary step in building this trust is to get the food certificate from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. Be it a small bakery or growing restaurant chain, getting an FSSAI registration is paramount. With online registration the process is much easier now.
Here, in this guide that follows, we'll walk you through step-by-step procedures on how your business can register for an FSSAI certificate. It will make each step easy for you so that you may acquire food certificates and meet every required compliance in your business.
What does the FSSAI registration signify?
FSSAI registration is mandatory for every business involved in the food industry, which includes manufacturers, traders, small time food vendors and restaurant owners. This is to ensure that the businesses follow the the food safety and quality regulation set by the authorities.
To summarize, an FSSAI registration certificate is a proof that the food you produce, store, or sell is safe for public consumption. This serves not only for building up the reputation of the business but also builds trust with consumers who increasingly grow wary of food safety.
The FSSAI Annual Report 2020-21, presented a depiction of FSSAI registrations issued by the licensing authorities of States/UTs in India, which has been over 74.65 million by the end of March, 2021. Therefore, the increase is 45% compared to last year. The growth, from 51.4 million in 2018 to 74.65 million in 2021 in the registration process does demonstrate an increased compliance of food businesses with the regulations by FSSAI as well as efforts put forth by this authority towards the smoothening of the registration process across India.
Why choose Online Registration?
Online registration has ended the days when, for FSSAI registration, people had to endure filing of papers, frequent visits to government offices, and waiting hours or even more extended periods. With online registration, the whole process of getting registration has become faster, easier, and efficient.
- You can do the procedure from your home or office.
- No hassle of dealing with physical documents.
- Online document uploading speeds up the approval process.
- Tracks your application status online.
Online registration-the fastest, hassle-free way! Save 5-10 days of waiting and get instant updates in just a few clicks. The smart, efficient way to streamline your process and stay ahead with ease.
Here's the comparison between the traditional vs the online method of FSSAI registration:
| Process Stage | Traditional Method | Online Method | Time Saved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application Submission | Filling out paper forms and mailing them (several days) | Immediate submission from anywhere at any time | 3-5 days |
| Document Verification | Manual verification taking up to a week due to delays | Automated systems verify documents in real-time | 5-6 days |
| Confirmation Process | Confirmation letters sent by mail (several days) | Instant confirmation via email upon submission | 3-7 days |
| Data Entry and Management | Manual data entry taking several hours per application | Automatic data entry reduces time to minutes | 2-4 hours |
| Overall Processing Time | Estimated total processing time can take several weeks | Online registration significantly reduces overall time | 5-10 days |
Guide to FSSAI Online Registration
With knowledge of the significance of FSSAI registration and the benefits of an online registration, the following step in the process is explained elaborately in this step-by-step guide for smooth registration:
Step 1: Know your eligibility
Before you start with the FSSAI Registration process, you will have to determine what category your food business falls into. There are three types of FSSAI registrations/licenses:
- Basic registration: Small food operation with an annual turnover of up to ₹12 lakhs constituting nearly 80 percent of food businesses.
- State License: Small to medium food enterprise with an annual turnover of ₹ 12lakhs and ₹ 20crores, that is around 15% of total food business.
- Central License: Large food enterprise with annual turnover above ₹20 crores or food enterprises involving import/export transactions, which accounts for around 5% of food enterprises.
Proper classification is crucial for on-time registration.
| Registration Category | Percentage | Turnover Limit | Type of Businesses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Registration | 80% | Up to ₹12 lakhs | Small manufacturers, petty retailers, hawkers, temporary stalls |
| State License | 15% | ₹12 lakhs to ₹20 crores | Medium-sized manufacturers, transporters, marketers |
| Central License | 5% | Above ₹20 crores | Large manufacturers, importers, exporters |
Step 2: Gather All the Documents Required
Once you have been declared eligible, the process continues with gathering all the documents required. Here's a list of the most often required documents needed for FSSAI registration:
- Identity proof (Aadhaar card, PAN card)
- Photographs, passport sized
- Proof of business address
- Utility bills, rental agreement
- Products you wish to handle
- Certificate of incorporation, only in case you have a company
Having all these documents ready will ensure that your registration is smooth.
Step 3: Apply on the FSSAI Portal
The process for registering yourself is below. You will have to go to the official FSSAI website and click on 'Food Licensing & Registration System (FLRS)'. Now, when you create an account, you are requested to fill in basic details like your name, contact information, and a valid email address. Once you do so, you'll get access to the registration portal, from where you can get started with your registration process.
Step 4: Submit the Application Form
Once you have opened an account, log into the portal and select a registration type depending on the size of your business, either Basic, State or Central License. Fill the application form with any relevant information about your business, particularly:
- Business name
- Owner's details
- Various types of food products handled by you
- Other relevant information
Ensure that all the information is correct to avoid any delays during the approval process.
Step 5: Document Upload
After filling up the application form, you are led directly to a page where uploading the supporting documents is required. Make sure all documents are scanned clearly and are easily readable. Poor or wrong document uploads may result in your application being rejected or delayed.
Step 6: Payment
Once you've uploaded all your documents, you'll need to pay for the registration fees. The registration amount payable depends on the kind of license you're asking for. You could make electronic payment through the payment gateway on FSSAI's portal. Also, keep a copy of the payment receipt for future reference, in case it is required.
Step 7: Track Your Application
After you have submitted your application, you are issued with an application reference number. Utilize this number to monitor the status of your application on your computer. The FSSAI authority shall scrutinize your application and the documents attached therewith. Upon satisfying all the conditions, the FSSAI registration certificate shall be mailed over to you via email. Such document shall be taken as proof of your adhering to the food safety regulations.
Smooth Registration Tips
All these are the tips you should apply in order to have a smooth FSSAI registration.
- Make sure every detail: Ensure that each information presented in your application is correct and that all the respective documents coincide with what you will have scanned or uploaded.
- Always provide digital copies: Ensure that you take digital copies of all documents you attach. This makes it easier to refer if needed later.
- Track your application: Keep self-updated regarding the status of your application. Any query raised by the FSSAI authority should be replied promptly without delay.
Recent statistics reflect that about 30% FSSAI applications are returned due to missing information andinaccurate data. The general reason for rejection are listed as follows:
Application Not Complete: Lack of necessary documents or information.
Wrong Information: Wrong information about the business, including an incorrect business address.
Unsigned Applications: Unsigned applications will be rejected.
Conclusion
The registration of a FSSAI certificate is a convenient online process now.The following steps will will help you to be compliant to the regulatory requirements and avoid the unending paperwork and long queues.
This will further highlight your business as being committed towards the health of consumers and its standards concerning food safety and quality. The FSSAI registration does not have a specific processing time since it is determined by the license you are seeking to attain.
- Basic License: Approximately 7 days.
- State License: About 15 days.
- Central License: Generally takes 30 days.
Make sure that you identify the correct registration type for your company and go by the directives for a well-organized registration.
If you have any questions or need more information to approve FSSAI registration, don't hesitate to contact JR Compliance officials. Being one of the most dedicated online certification consultant companies operating in India, we will steer you through the certification process with our hassle free services.
