Top Questions on Food Safety Regulations Answered by FoodSafeyHelpline.Com

Top Questions of the week on the food safety regulations answered by FoodSafetyHelpline Experts

Question: We are planning to start online retail food business but it is just a startup and we cannot predict about turnover so what license will be required?

Answer: If your expected annual turnover is upto Rs. 12 lacs per annum then you can apply for the registration certificate and if you can expect a turnover of more than Rs. 12 lacs then you need to apply for the license.

Question: Can we prepare a diet product by using Relish as an ingredient, if so, what is the limit for adding the Relish according to FSSAI?

Answer: Diet products are non-standardized foods and there are no regulations specified for such food articles. The draft regulations for such food articles have been shared by FSSAI but the final notification & the implementation procedure for the manufacture, import & sale of such food articles is awaited. All stakeholders have to wait for the further communication from FSSAI in this regard.

Question: Can I re-apply my expired FSSAI number, I want the same number please reply?

Answer: You will have to apply as a fresh application for obtaining the food license. Only the license authority will confirm whether you can be provided the previous license number. In our opinion, this can not be the same.

Question: Please tell me that how much time it takes to issue a new license in online procedure?

Answer: If you successfully submit all the required documents & fees then as per the regulations, the license can be awarded or rejected within 60 days from filing of the complete application form. If there is an inspection or the documents are incomplete then this process may take some more time.

Question: I need a clarification, now I have owned one place in Bangalore and I have made small small area in that and I have leased for different storage company so now who has to take the licence from FSSAI, me or the other company?

Answer: It is the company who has taken space on lease in your premises then that company has to apply for the food license as that company is engaged in the food business activity. So, whosoever will do the food business shall have to apply for the license/registration under food safety regulations.

Question: In view of the Product approval being scrapped, Plz let us know how can we launch a new product in the interim that a new procedure is started?

Answer: In this regard, you have to wait for the further directions/communications from FSSAI. The Draft regulations for the food articles which are governed under section 22 of the FSS Act, 2006 are also recently shared by FSSAI but the final notification on regulations & further implementation procedures will give us a more clear picture.

Question: We are a manufacturer of dietary ingredients. we have central license. Do we need to have product approval or only the finished product manufacturer is required to have product approval. Can we sell our ingredients without product approval? I am aware that as of now FSSAI is not accepting any PA application. We buy some products from 3rd party, which in turn buys from another 3rd party. Without any further processing we sell some of the products under our brand name and some without a brand name. (i) Do we require to ensure that everyone has valid license? (ii) Who is required to have PA? (iii) On the label which license no. and address has to be given?

Answer: FSSAI has stopped the Food Product Approval System after the Honorable Supreme Court of India’s verdict. You can not buy or sell the food products without having a valid license/registration, so everyone whosoever is involved in the food business activity has to obtain a license/registration. Although, PA is not in function, but a Brand Owner has to take the prior approval from the food authority. The FSSAI logo & license number of the brand owner has to be on the label on the product. For others like manufacturer, distributor etc, only license number is required to be mentioned on the label.

Question: We are wholesale fruit seller and we have cold chambers which we use for ripening of fruit so what sort of license do we need, FSSAI or Food License?

Answer: FSSAI is the apex food regulator in India to regulate and control the activities of food businesses, so FSSAI license and Food License are same. The artificial ripening is a food business activity so you have to obtain a license/registration from the food authority.

Question: I have a small bakery where I make mainly cakes and other Bakery items to order. My production averages about 20 to 50 Kgs of products daily, but my turnover is above 12 lakhs. I think I would come under the petty operator category.So would I need to only register ? From the FSSAI site, I find that there is no category as Bakery. And it also says capacity should be below 100 Kgs per day AND (not or) turnover below 12 lakhs.

Answer: As per the Licensing & Registration criteria for the food license, if your food processing capacity is Upto 100 Ltr /Kg per day then only Registration is required. You can select the category – Manufacturer/Processor while applying for registration.

Question: Now that the product approval advisory is scrapped by supreme court, how do I import the health supplement that was ready to be applied for product approval (when the system existed).

Answer: Now, since the draft regulations have been published so either you have to wait for the final notification on the these draft regulations for nutra & health supplements and others or you have to wait for the direction/communication from the apex food regulator in this regard.