All About FSSAI And Need For FSSAI Consultant?

The FSSAI has been established mainly to protect as well as promote public health by regulating and supervising food safety and standards. It works under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

 

What is the regulatory framework of FSSAI?

The FSSAI, basically, established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and is the primary bodyfor regulating food items and their quality. It was established to enforce food safety in the country.

For each state, FSSAI has appointed authorities to regulate and administrate the law. FSSAI, however, is being under the control of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India.
To run a food business, one needs to obtain FSSAI Central License/ FSSAI State License or FSSAI Registration �" according to the type of food business.

Mainly, FSSAI has a few essentials to follow and maintain, which include:
            1. Assurance of Food Safety
            2. To standardize the following: Manufacture, Storage, Distribution, Sale, Import of various Food Items
            3. To modulate science-based standards for food items

Research and Quality Assurance:

Research:

In order to keep the food safety in mind, the FSSAI has outlined specific guidelines/ set of guidelines to keep up the food safety research. For that, the Research and Development has been formed and is to be retained amenable for the following:

1.    Perpetual updating and upgrading Food Safety Standards which, of course, in accordance with international organizations

2.    Keep improving/ building policies in accordance with evidence-based researches

Quality Assurance:

To overview quality as well as standards of food items, there have been certain functions, outlined by the FSSAI, so that quality of food can be well-assured. They, furthermore, include “Laying down procedure and guidelines for notification of the accredited laboratories as per ISO17025.”

FSSAI Certified laboratories have been hence known as
1. FSSAI notified NABL accredited labs - 112
2. State Labs - 72
3. Referral Labs �" 14

Different Types of FSSAI License:

Based on the specific body/ food type, FSSAI License has been classified into three Main Categories, which are:
1. FSSAI Registration
2. FSSAI State License
3. FSSAI Central License

 

The FSSAI Registration is for the petty food business. This type mainly covers small vendors and local food sellers as well as petty food manufacturers. FSSAI Registration can be obtained easily and requires minimal documentation and a few procedures. It falls under the State Government.

Simply, FSSAI Registration is required for food business worth less than 12 lakh rupees turnover.

The FSSAI State License covers small, medium-sized manufacturing units as well as retailers, distributors, transporters, marketers etc.
In other words, FSSAI State License is specifically for those food businesses which are associated with food business turnover between 12 lakhs to 20 crores.

The FSSAI Central License means a food business license, for the huge food business. It concerns large manufacturers, food importers, food business operators in Airport, Seaport, Central Government Agencies etc.

It means, the FSSAI Central License is for the food business has more than 20 crore turnover.

 

 

 

However, to determine the very specific nature of any food business and to evaluate it, there are a few other criteria based on which Food Registration/ FSSAI Compliance can be obtained. Such aspects include the location of the business/ total number of retail stores etc.

 

And to do that, The FSSAI Consultant/ FSSAI License Consultant is a must.