Through an order dated 7 February 2019, the FSSAI has clarified the requirements of documents needed for license to hotels. The FSSAI has received a number of representations from stakeholders asking the FSSAI to review the provision of providing a star rating certificate from the Ministry of Tourism (HRACC) while applying for the fresh license or for renewal of license by Hotel Food Business Operators.
FSSAI has clarified in this order that the scheme of the certificate of star ratings given to hotels by the Ministry of Tourism (HRACC) is voluntary and many hotels, particularly the smaller hotels do not go for the Star Certification under the scheme. However, it seems that the Licensing Authorities are insisting that all hotels furnish the certificate of ratings, even from small/ tiny hotels when they apply for license or renewal of license. As a result, hotels without star ratings in the Hotel Industry are facing difficulties in procuring a license or renewing of licenses.
The FSSAI has examined the issue and has come to the conclusion that as per the licensing criteria hotels with ratings of five star and above require Central License and those with a four-star rating and below, and which have a turnover above Rupees 12 lakhs require State License. In view of this, the FSSAI has clarified that the criteria for hotels for State License include both Star category hotels (one to four-star) as well as non-starred category hotels and includes all those hotels that have not opted for star ratings.
Therefore, the FSSAI has decided that Hotel FBOs when applying for license/ renew of license will upload on the online Food Licensing and Registration Systems (FLRS)
- a declaration stating whether they are starred or non-starred hotels
- In case of a star hotel, they will be required to submit the Star Certificate issued by the Ministry of Tourism
- In the case of non-starred hotels, the submitted declaration to this effect will be accepted by the Licensing Authority and they will not insist on providing a certificate of star rating from the Ministry of Tourism (HRACC)
With this clarification, the FSSAI has directed all Licensing Authorities to process applications for fresh licenses or renewal of licenses for hotels accordingly.
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