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    FSSAI Registration Procedure in Kerala

    Updated on: 04 Dec, 2024 03:32 PM

    FSSAI Kerala is the governing body responsible for food safety and standards licensing or registration within the Kerala state jurisdiction. It grants licenses to food business operators and individuals engaged in the sale of food products by the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006. The guiding principle of the Commissionerate of Food Safety Kerala is "Safe Food for Healthy Life." Their objective is to collaboratively engage with the local community, striving to elevate Kerala as a benchmark state celebrated for its exemplary food safety and quality standards. This article covers the FSSAI registration procedure in Kerala.

    Importance of FSSAI Registration

    The Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) serves as the chief regulatory entity tasked with watching the safety and quality of food products in India. It significantly contributes to public health protection by establishing standards for food and overseeing its production, distribution, and sale.

    For FBOs (Food Business Operators), compliance with FSSAI regulations is indispensable. Sticking to FSSAI standards not only ensures the production of safe and high-quality food products but also instills consumer confidence. Non-compliance can lead to legal repercussions and damage to the reputation of the business.


    Types of FSSAI License/ Registration in Kerala

    Type of Certification Criteria
    Basic Registration Food enterprises with annual revenue of up to Rs. 12 lakhs or small-scale food producers who manufacture up to 100 kg/liters of food daily.
    State License Food enterprises with annual revenue exceeding Rs. 12 lakhs but not exceeding Rs. 20 crores or food producers manufacturing over 100 kg/liters but less than 2 metric tonnes of food daily.
    Central License Food enterprises with annual revenue surpassing Rs. 20 crores or food producers manufacturing over 2 metric tonnes of food daily, or businesses operating across multiple states or engaged in the import or export of food items.

    FSSAI License/Registration in Kerala

    In Kerala, the responsibility for issuing the FSSAI Basic Registration and State FSSAI License lies with the Food Safety Kerala. The FSSAI Basic Registration is given by the registering authority, which may include designated officers, food safety officers, or officials from municipal corporations, Panchayats, or other local bodies as specified by the Commissionerate of Food Safety Kerala.

    The following Food Business Operators (FBOs) in Kerala are mandated to obtain an FSSAI Basic Registration:

    • All petty FBOs.
    • FBOs engaged in procuring, handling, and collecting up to 500 liters of milk daily.
    • Slaughterhouse units handling up to two large animals, ten small animals, or 50 poultry birds daily.
    • Meat processing units with an annual turnover not exceeding Rs. 12 lakh.
    • Wholesalers, retailers, and distributors with an annual turnover not exceeding Rs. 12 lakh.
    • Other food processing units process up to 100 kg or liters daily.

    The State FSSAI License is issued by the state licensing authority, which refers to designated officers appointed under the FSS Act by the Commissionerate of Food Safety Kerala. The following FBOs in Kerala are required to apply for a State FSSAI License:

    • FBOs are involved in procuring, handling, and collecting between 501 to 50,000 liters of milk daily.
    • Slaughtering units handling three to 50 large animals, 11 to 150 small animals, or 51 to 1,000 poultry birds daily.
    • Meat processing units process up to 500 kg of meat daily or 150 MT annually.
    • Wholesalers, retailers, and distributors with an annual turnover not exceeding Rs. 20 crore.
    • Other food processing units process between 101 to 2 MT kg or liters daily.

    Documents Required in Kerala for FSSAI License/Registration

    Documents Required for Obtaining FSSAI Basic Registration:

    • Business address verification.
    • FBO's photo identification.
    • Business Constitution Certificate
    • Evidence of business premise ownership.
    • Catalogue of food products produced or processed.
    • Comprehensive business description.

    Documents required for Obtaining a FSSAI State License:

    • Duly completed and signed Form B by the applicant.
    • Schematic layout of the production facility.
    • Business address validation.
    • Business constitution certificate.
    • Evidence of ownership of the business facility.
    • A roster of directors, partners, or key members of the society/trust, including their contact information and complete addresses.
    • Inventory of machinery and equipment, specifying numbers, horsepower ratings, and installed capacities.
    • Identification and address verification of the proprietor, partners, directors, or the authorized representative.
    • Catalog of food categories intended for processing or production.
    • Water analysis report for food preparation from an accredited or public health laboratory.
    • Authorization letter from the manufacturer designating a responsible individual, inclusive of their name and address.
    • No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the manufacturer.
    • Food safety management system blueprint or certification.

    FSSAI License/Registration Process in Kerala

    The FSSAI License or Registration Process in Kerala is as follows:

    • Step 1. Visit the FoSCoS portal.
    • Step 2. Click on the ‘Apply License/Registration’ option on the home page.
    • Step 3. From the dropdown, choose ‘Kerala’ as the state.
    • Step 4. Select the applicable category ‘Manufacturer,’ ‘Trade/Retail,’ or ‘Food Services,’ based on your food business type.
    • Step 5. Choose the relevant option from the dropdown menu below.
    • Step 6. Specify your turnover or production capacity, then click ‘Proceed.’
    • Step 7. Click either ‘Apply for Registration for all businesses’ or ‘Apply for State License for all businesses’ based on your business needs.
    • Step 8. Fill out Form-A or Form-B, upload the required documents, make the payment, and click ‘Submit.’
    • Step 9. Once submitted, authorities will review your application and inspect the premises. Upon meeting all FSS Act requirements, they will issue the FSSAI Basic Registration or State License.

    Fee in Kerala for FSSAI License/Registration

    The fees for Kerala FSSAI License and Registration depend on the type and size of the food business. However, The fee for acquiring FSSAI Basic Registration is set at Rs. 100.

    For the State FSSAI License, the fee structure is determined by the scale of the business:

    • Manufacturers with a daily production capacity ranging from 1MT to 2 MT or 10,001 to 50,000 liters of milk are charged Rs. 5,000.
    • Manufacturers with a daily production capacity between 101 kgs or liters to 1 MT or 501 to 10,000 liters of milk are charged Rs. 3,000.
    • Three and four-star hotels incur a fee of Rs. 5,000.
    • One, two, or three-star hotels, as well as those without a star rating by the Ministry of Tourism (HRACC), are charged Rs. 2,000.
    • Food service providers, encompassing clubs, restaurants, boarding houses, various canteens (e.g., schools, offices, colleges), banquet halls with food catering facilities, caterers, and food vendors such as Dabba wallas, are levied a fee of Rs. 2,000.
    • Other food business operators and wholesalers, retailers, and distributors are also subject to a fee of Rs. 2,000.

    Hope this article helped you understand the process of FSSAI registration in Kerala. If you have any tax-related doubts or need assistance with tax filing, you can connect with our tax experts. Simply call us at 91166 84439 or email us at [email protected].


    Frequently Asked Questions

    Q- How does one determine which FSSAI License is required for their business in Kerala?

    The license type is determined by the annual revenue of the business or the daily processing capacity. Businesses should consult the criteria mentioned in the table above to determine their category.


    Q- Are there any penalties for businesses operating without a valid FSSAI License in Kerala?

    Yes, operating without a valid FSSAI License can lead to legal repercussions, including penalties and even closure of the business. Additionally, non-compliance can damage the reputation of the business.


    Q- Can businesses apply for multiple types of licenses simultaneously in Kerala?

    Yes, businesses with operations that span different categories (e.g., manufacturing and trading) may need to apply for multiple licenses based on their activities. However, they should ensure compliance with all relevant regulations for each category.


    Q- How often do I need to renew my FSSAI License in Kerala?

    The validity of the FSSAI License varies depending on the type. Basic Registration might have a different renewal duration compared to the State or Central License. It's essential to keep track of the license expiry date and renew it timely to avoid any disruptions in business operations.


    Q- What is the procedure for a FSSAI license?

    To obtain FSSAI registration, submit Form A (application) to the Food and Safety Department. The department will review the application and either accept or reject it within 7 days of submission. The decision will be communicated to the applicant in writing.


    Q- Which are the three types of FSSAI license?

    FSSAI registration depends on factors such as the type of business, turnover, and production capacity. Based on these criteria, businesses can apply for different licenses: Basic License, State License, or Central License.


    Q- Is a FSSAI license mandatory for a home kitchen?

    Yes, it is mandatory for all home kitchens to obtain an FSSAI registration. All online home kitchens must obtain FSSAI registration, regardless of their annual turnover. This ensures compliance with food safety standards and enhances consumer trust.


    CA Abhishek Soni
    CA Abhishek Soni

    Abhishek Soni is a Chartered Accountant by profession & entrepreneur by passion. He is the co-founder & CEO of Tax2Win.in. Tax2win is amongst the top 25 emerging startups of Asia and authorized ERI by the Income Tax Department. In the past, he worked in EY and comes with wide industry experience from telecom, retail to manufacturing to entertainment where he has handled various national and international assignments.

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