Obtaining a license can provide the food business with legal benefits, build goodwill, ensure food safety, create consumer awareness, and assist in business expansion. Also, it helps regulate, manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of import food.

All the manufacturers, traders, restaurants, grocery shops, importers and exporters, etc. are eligible for issuing a FSSAI Licence. FSSAI Licensing assures that food products undergo specific quality checks, thereby decreasing the cases of adulteration, substandard products.

FSSAI registration or license basically depends on the business volume and premises. It depends on the capacity or turnover that an applicant premises are eligible for the license such as central license, state license, registration, railways etc.

It is initiated by the submission of Form A (application) to food and safety department.

The application may be accepted or rejected by the department within 7 days from the application date.

If the application is accepted, a registration certificate will be granted by the department along with the registration number and the photo of the applicant.

Prominently, FBO should display the certificate of the registration at the place of business during the business hours

Food license or FSSAI license is granted to all manufacturers, traders, restaurants carrying out any food business which may involve manufacturing or processing. On applying for FSSAI registration, an unique 14-digit licence number is issued which has to be quoted on all food packages

• Documents Required for FSSAI Central License
• Form-B duly completed and signed by the proprietor or owner.
• Blueprint or layout of the location.
• Contact details of the Directors.
• The list and details of the equipment and machinery types.
• Proprietor's photo ID and address proof issued by the Government of India.

Normally, it takes up to 60 days to get an FSSAI license after applying for the same.

The FSS (Licensing & Registration) Regulations, 2011, licenses and registrations are granted to Food Business Operators in a 3 tier system based on the turnover and food manufacturing capacity limit. The three licenses are – FSSAI Basic Registration, FSSAI State license and FSSAI Central License.

The documents required for FSSAI registration are:

• Photo of Food Business Operator.
• Document for Identity Proof like Ration Card, Voter ID Card, PAN Card, Driving License, Passport, Aadhar Card, Senior Citizen Card, Department Issued ID.
• Supporting Documents (if any):- NOC by Municipality or Panchayat, Health NOC.

FSSAI Registration is a basic license and it is required for all the FBOs involved in the small-scale food business. This category covers the following businesses: Any FBO with an annual turnover of not more than Rs. 12 lakh.

Registration is mandatory for all homemade food selling operators. License is required only if your annual turnover is above Rs 12 Lakh. ... A homemade food selling operator who is functioning without registration will be liable for a penalty of upto Rs 2 Lakh according to the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.

Before you start selling food, you have to get a certificate of acceptability from the Department of Environmental Health. ... Depending on the requirements from your local municipality and what you want to sell, you may also require a Business Licence and a Zoning Permit.

• Duly filled and signed Form A.
• 2 Passport Size Photographs.
• PAN Card of the owner.
• Proof of Address of the business premises.
• Partnership Deed/ Incorporation Certificate / Articles or Memorandum of Association.
• List of food items.
• Declaration form.
• Authority letter.

Yes, you need a food license from FSSAI to sell homemade food but if it is a small scale, only registration is required. As per Food Safety and Security act, 2006 every FBO is required to obtain an FSSAI Food License. If the FBO is tiny or small it only requires to register itself with FSSAI.