The Indian e-commerce market, which has so far been booming, has turned the online food business into an emerging sector in the country. Shoppers look for grocery or ready-to-eat meals or specialty foods through digital services, there is a growing demand for e-commerce and these food businesses have to follow certain levels of food safety standards FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India). This Authority takes a major role in ensuring and implementing these standards; therefore, registration under FSSAI turns out to be a must if you deal with the food distribution business offline or online.
Why is FSSAI registration important for an e-commerce food business?
For an e-commerce food business, FSSAI registration is not a mere formality but a badge of credibility. Where it gets eyeballs online, the customer does not get to inspect them personally, thus FSSAI certification works as an assurance that the product is safe and of good quality. Here's why FSSAI registration matters for e-commerce websites:
1. Consumer Confidence: FSSAI registration will be a symbol to the consumer that the products you are offering them in the market are by national safety norms.
2. Legality: All the operations conducted when the company has FSSAI registration will be illegal; therefore, if the norms are not met, there will be severe penalties, and your food license can even be suspended.
3. Quality Control: The license by FSSAI assures passing of any test conducted about quality, which brings down food safety hazards to a great extent.
4. Competitive Advantage: There are online portals, which tend to deal more with FSSAI-registered food dealers, which bring in more visibility and reach within the marketplace.
E-commerce Food Business Step-Wise FSSAI Registration Process
All this can now be done in a matter of a few minutes with the online registration of FSSAI for any food e-commerce business under the Food Licensing & Registration System portal. Here are a few quite simple steps:
Step 1: Find your License Type
This will decide what license you would require from FSSAI. A pan India e-food business needs a Central FSSAI License. Small-scale businesses or small revenues require State or Basic FSSAI Registration.
Step 2: Documents Needed
Form B, duly filled and signed.
- Utility bill or rental agreement as proof of business address.
- ID proof business owner/partner(s)
- List of food products planned to be sold through e-commerce.
- No objection certificate from local authority, if necessary
- Declaration form FSSAI
Step 3: Online registration at FLRS Portal
Login on the FLRS portal of FSSAI. Fill up the registration form and annex all the documents mentioned below. Designate your type of business as an e-commerce food business.
Step 4: Application Fee Payment
You have to pay the fee according to the type of license you are applying for (Basic, State, or Central) through the online website.
Step 5: Verification and Inspection of Application
After submission of your application form, FSSAI verifies all information furnished by you in your application form. FSSAI may even inspect your business places according to the requirements and nature of the license.
Step 6: Download your FSSAI License
After successful verification and inspection, you can download the issued FSSAI license from the fssai portal. These, by default, are normally valid for a year or five years after which one has to renew it.
Benefits of FSSAI Registration for E-commerce Food Business
FSSAI registration would bring so many benefits to your business. With such, you'd be enjoying benefits both for the business and customers also:
1. Confident Consumer: The very reason your website or your list of products carries an FSSAI logo means a consumer is going to believe that products sold from this site will be free of chemicals and very good.
2. Compliance and Less Penalties: Thereby an FSSAI registration for your business will, without fail be conducted on the premises within the purview of law and thereby will possess all the possible chances at penalties and fine charges caused in case of non-compliance.
3. Hygiene and Quality: FSSAI inspections and audits motivate better hygiene behavior and thus reduce the opportunity for foodborne diseases to occur.
4. Expansion of Business: An FSSAI license brings relations with other food business entities, suppliers, and aggregators because most of the e-commerce sites tend to associate themselves with only FSSAI-registered ones.
5. Market Accessibility: Along with that, the e-commerce websites also connect your business to FSSAI-registered food-selling businesses that will further provide a broader market to your business.
FSSAI Registered E-commerce Food Business
After you get your business FSSAI registered, then registration itself can serve as one of the excellent marketing tools for attracting even more customers to your business. Here's how you can market your registration:
- Display FSSAI Logo: Display the FSSAI logo on your website and app and your packaging; it is one instant assurance of quality assurance to consumers.
- Product Listings: Reflect FSSAI registration and would lend support to the safety as well as quality offered.
- Social media and advert: Updates about the whole process on FSSAI registration and would communicate consumer value build trust and credibility.
Conclusion
FSSAI registration is a must for any business in this rapidly expanding e-commerce food market since it gives credibility and safety to consumers. It ensures that the customers will get quality food items under the remit of the laws laid down and establishes a starting point for business. A small startup or any major food business, does have its importance to abide by the rules and win the trust of the customers to gain a strong position in Indian food markets.
