Introduction:
Whether you are an exporter or manufacturer or some other form of entrepreneurial brain working behind the food industry of India, FSSAI registration of your business has turned out to be indispensable. With the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India ensuring safety for every product coming through its land to be safe from manufacturing to export, using this license ensures consumer confidence and smooth, efficient,
This article is for the registration process of an exporter through FSSAI-how crucial it is, with all its added benefits and importance for food businesses. This includes:
1. What is FSSAI Registration?
It is a government authority that ensures all food safety and compliance in India. FSSAI registration or license is compulsorily required for all the business houses that are either manufacturers or even distributors or retailers within the category of food. This enforces the food one manufactures or exports to meet the National Safety Standards, thus decreasing the risk of contamination or poor quality.
Who needs it?
- Food manufacturers
- Wholesalers and distributors
- Exporters and importers.
- Restaurants, cafes, and food chains
- Warehouse and distribution companies
2. FSSAI Registration for Exporters: Why Is It Needed?
If you are an exporter then registering at FSSAI is necessary for two reasons: to be legally compliant and also to gain consumer trust.
- Legal Requirement: FSSAI provides a license to an exporter exporting food products from India. International parties quite often insist upon this certificate to ascertain the level of safety imports have according to international standards.
- It builds Trust: FSSAI registration creates trust in the international market. It sends a message that products exported from your organization have faced intense security and quality validation, thus you are a trusted supplier in overseas markets.
3. Categories of FSSAI Registration
FSSAI offers three categories of registration based on the scale of your enterprise and nature.
- Small Registration: For those small-sized businesses that are still in the nascent stage and their annual turnover is less than ₹ 12 lakhs.
- State License: For those firms for which the annual turnover happens to be between ₹ 12-20 crores
- Central License: For large food companies or business organizations that involve intra-state trade or export or have an annual turnover of over ₹ 20 crores.
- Exporters are sometimes required to hold the Central License as it includes business ventures that consist of high consignments of food products or even export-import traders.
4. FSSAI License Application Procedure
This is how you apply for an FSSAI license online:
Step 1: Identify Your Category
Depending on the nature of your turnover and extent of operation, your business would be registered either as a basic or state license or Central License. The Central License is obligatory for exporters.
Step 2: Documentation
The following important documents will be submitted to them:
- Form B, signed and filled by the Proprietor properly.
- Photo ID and address proof.
- Import-export code, IEC for Exporters.
- Manufacturing unit details, if required.
- Declaration of food safety management plan.
Step 3: Submit Application
Log on to the FSSAI portal as a new user.
Fill up all details required in the application form.
Attach all supporting documents.
Step 4: Pay Fee
The registration fee is paid through online mode. The same varies with the type of license being applied for.
Step 5: Inspection
For exporters, the manufacturing and packaging unit will be inspected by FSSAI to ensure conformity to safety standards.
Step 6: You are given an assurance that your application is going to be cleared from FSSAI, and then through email processing, your license is going to reach your mail.
Time taken to process: In most cases, it takes 60 days, but this is all subject to the level of complications with your business.
5. Important Advantages for Exporters Under FSSAI:
Getting registered under FSSAI has numerous advantages, but mainly in the export-oriented food business.
1. Access to Global Markets:
Seamless expansion into international markets for products with an FSSAI license. In many countries, food importers want to buy their inventory from those who have taken internationally accepted food safety measures.
2. Brand Image:
It will give your business domestic and international customers the confidence of having it FSSAI certified. The FSSAI logo attached to your product assures the buyers that the food products are of good quality and safe for consumption, thereby enhancing your brand reputation globally.
3. Legal Safety:
FSSAI license makes your business stay under the law of India. FSSAI ensures that all mandatory and permissible compulsion compliance failure punishment and legal suit shutdown cannot happen.
4. More Business Opportunities:
Most international trading partners treat FSSAI-registered businesses. With the license, your business will be much better placed to accept high-value contracts and engage more with large global retailers and distributors.
5. Quality Control:
The process of getting registration with FSSAI ensures that very stringent hygiene and safety measures are in place, so you have control over the product quality to a considerable extent. In other words, there will be much less chance of spoilage or contamination with fewer product recalls
6. Common Problems/Issues and Remedies:
The registration procedure in FSSAI is very simple; however, exporters raise their complaints due to issues related to heavy documentation requirements, export standards, and inspection management.
Solution:
- It will help you partner with consultancy services for FSSAI so that things go well because when it is there, you are sure of having the right documentation and being properly prepared for inspections.
- There are many more options for online FSSAI registration services where one can easily apply and trace the application.
