If you need to apply for a product approval or for authorization of ingredients you can now apply online. Through its online Food Product Approval System (FPAS), FSSAI has streamlined the application procedure and made it more convenient for FBOs. You will just have to go to the website link http://fpas.fssai.gov.in and fill out the necessary application forms, make payment and track the status of your application
- FBO Registration for obtaining Log in Credentials: The first step is to go to the website. Click on the ‘user registration’ button. A form will appear which you have to fill out to register yourself. Your license number (if you have one) your name and contact details have to be filled in. Once you have filled in the details, click on ‘Submit’ button at the end of the page. Your username for this site and your password will be sent to you on the email address you have filled in the registration form. Henceforth, anytime you want to view anything on the FPAS site you will have to log in with this same username password.
- Product Approval Application – FBO Dashboard & Eligibility Criteria: The second step is to click on the ‘Dashboard’ button. A drop down list will appear which will have the following features. Read any of the below mentioned topics for clarifications.
- How to Apply
- Create & Update Account
- Fee Structure
- Document Checklist
- Rules of Submission
- FAQ’s
In the ‘Dashboard’ you can also view your application and the status of your application. If you want to apply for product approval or NOC you have to click on ‘New Application’. Other features on the Dashboard page are ‘Manage Profile’ and ‘Logout’.
- Product Approval Application – Providing Product, Ingredient, Additive Details
The FBO applicant will have to click on ‘New Application’. On clicking you will get a Product Approval Eligibility Criteria page. The page is filled with questions. You have to click either ‘yes’ or ‘no’. On the basis of your clicking ‘yes’ or ‘no’ the website will immediately let you know if your food product is within the FSS approved products or not and if your application is eligible or not.
Example Question: “Does the product fall under GM food or contain a GM food product?” Against this question press either ‘yes’ or ‘no’ as answer. If you have pressed ‘yes’ then you will get the answer ‘Sorry Genetically Modified Food /GM ingredients cannot be marketed in India for human consumption. Therefore application for product approval is not allowed. Similarly you have to go through all the questions on the page and see if your food product/ ingredient/ additive is eligible for food product approval from FSSAI or not. The system has been made to identify all the categories you apply under whether 1a or 1b, according to FSSAI requirements. It will also help if you have with you the codes for your food product like
- FSSR code,
- Indian Food code
After filling in all the details the system will identify and let you know if your product requires product approval or not. Sometimes you may get the message from the site that says, “Based on the information food Product Approval is not required. Kindly make sure you have provided the correct details.”
If you know you have to get product approval as you are aware of the criteria then check the form again to see if you have missed out any detail.
Now click on the ‘Product Detail’ button. Under Product Details make sure you have filled in all the information against each category like
- Common/ Generic Name
- IFC Category Name
- FSSR Product Name
- CODEX Product Name
The second page of Product Details that has to be filled up are:
- CODEX Name
- Brand Name
- Country of Origin
- End use
- Shelf Life
- Method of Manufacture
- End User
- Package Size
- Serving size and servings per day
- Additional Details for 1b
- Actual/ Prototype of label
- Product Specific Documents like Label,
- Accelerated/ Real-time stability, End use
Similarly click on Ingredient Details button and fill out the details
- Ingredient Name
- Quantity per 100 Grams/ML
- Description
- Source
- Nutrient declaration (Yes/No)
- Quantity in elemental form for ingredients with RDA limits
- Additional Details for 1B application
Click on the Additive Details button to fill in the details about additives
- Common Additives:
- Functional Class of Additive (Acidifying Agent, Emulsifier etc)
- Additive Name
- INS Number – Auto Feed by the System
- Quantity per 100 gm/ml
- Colors & Flavors (for multiple products under one application)
- Brand Name/ Variant Name
- Name of the Flavor/ Color
- INS Number – Auto Feed by the System
- Quantity per 100 gm/ml
- Product Approval Application – Uploading Supporting Documents: Before you fill out the online form make sure you have all these documents loaded on your computer as either an image or PDF format so that you can upload all documents easily from your computer
- Product Related Documents
- Ingredient Related Documents
- Additive Related Documents
- Label Related Documents
- Affidavit Related Documents
- Method of analysis
- Related Documents
- Certificate of Analysis from NABL,ILAC accredited laboratories
At the bottom of this page you have a Checklist where you can check to see that you have uploaded everything that is required to complete your application for food product approval.
- Product Approval Application – Summary PDF of Application details: Before proceeding to the payment page you can print a copy and review the summary of provided details. If you find any mistake or have missed out anything you can modify the application accordingly. Check the following again
- Product Details
- Ingredient Details
- Additive Details
- Supporting Documents
- Checklist of all details
- Payment & Acknowledgement Receipt: Once you are sure your application has been filled out correctly. (You can recheck in the Summary page again) then make an online payment. You will get an acknowledgement receipt for submitting the application once you provide the payment detail.
After you have filed for PA application, with all the relevant details and supporting documents and paid the relevant PA fees, your application will be scrutinized by the FSSAI. If required it will be sent to the concerned Scientific Panel/ committee. On the basis of this procedure your application will either be approved or rejected. If it is approved the FSSAI will generate an NOC, Product Approval Certificate or Rejection of Application which will be communicated to you on your email address. Make sure you have registered an e-mail address that you use frequently.
Dr Anjali Ahuja says
Please send me all updates
FSH Team says
Hi,
Kindly explain your requirements.
rajnish says
what is product approval, and why it need ?
FSH Team says
Hi Rajnish,
Please read through the following link:
http://foodsafetyhelpline.com/2014/02/what-is-product-approval-who-requires-a-product-approval/
Karan says
What is the differentiating criteria for issuance of NOC instead of PA? Also, is there a remedy available with FBOs if their product is rejected?
FSH Team says
Currently, NOCs are not being issued and only Product Approvals are being issued. FBOs can reapply with a fresh application for the food product approval after rectifying the cause of the rejection.
Ajay Dalal says
I required list of documents for product approval, and guide line for product approval.
Thanks.
Hitesh says
can u please tell me total fees structure for to get the food product FSSAI approved. For example potato chips.