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. I.e., literacy and complying with FSSAI guidelines is all-important for food businesses to operate legally and maintain trust with consumers.

Types of FSSAI License/ Registration in Kerala

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.
• Certificate detailing the business constitution.
• 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:

• Visit the FoSCoS portal and click on the ‘Apply License/Registration’ option on the home page.
• Select the state as ‘Kerala’ from the dropdown list and choose the appropriate option from the ‘Manufacturer’, ‘Trade/Retail’, or ‘Food Services’ category as per the nature of the food business.
• Next, select the type of license or registration you need based on the annual turnover and eligibility criteria of your food business. There are three types of FSSAI registration: Basic, State, and Central.
• Fill in the required details in the online application form and upload the necessary documents as per the checklist provided on the portal.
• Pay the applicable fees online and submit the application. You will receive an acknowledgment number and a reference number for tracking the status of your application.
• The concerned authority will verify your application and documents and may inspect your premises if required.
• If your application is approved, you will receive the FSSAI License or Registration
• Certificate with a 14-digit license number. You should display the certificate at a prominent place on your premises.

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.