FSSAI is the main body responsible for maintaining, supervising, and setting up regulations relating to food safety across the country. A food business driver has to register and get a Food license before they begin conducting business, or differently the FSSAI will treat them with their long list of penalties. However, they’re breaking a lot of rules and regulations, each coming with separate penalties and forfeitures, If FBOs conduct business without a Food Licence.
Still, the operation process for this isn’t as straight forward as numerous might make it feel. Although forms and way are available online, businesses could be eligible for one out of three orders of the FSSAI, Food license. Likewise, gathering information can occasionally be grueling. The FBO has to apply under the right order depending on a lot of the details of their business. Since utmost Food Licences are valid for a time, they’ve to renew the process annually, and might have to change their enrollment section depending on the business the ensuing time.
Applying for the right licence also depends on the size of the company, the number of branches they’ve throughout the country, and their periodic development. The kind of business they’re running also has commodity to do with it.
Benefits of applying for a food licence
There are multiple advantages, including from a business point of view, for companies that want to profit from the operation process. The main bone being that the FSSAI is a massive brand and associating with the FSSAI benefits any business since they would automatically fall under the FSSAI marquee. The recognition that brands admit significantly increases. Creating client mindfulness by allowing further guests to know about the business which is an added benefit.
There are multiple legal benefits of having a food license since the establishment will regularly be audited by the FSSAI, which frequently handles a vetting process inferring that they check everything going on at the establishment, completely. It also creates a system of responsibility quantum the guests who now feel safer visiting the establishment. The regular examinations also guarantee food safety since that’s the main precedence of the FSSAI. Likewise, it assists and regulates, the manufacture, storehouse, distribution and trade of import food.
To have an FSSAI enrollment, the Food Business Drivers have to follow specific rules and regulations under the FSS Act, 2006. Before registering, the FSSAI authorities conduct an in-person enrollment on the demesne. They also conduct surprise examinations throughout the process to make sure the establishment is keeping up with the guidelines.
The situations of compliance are
- Compliance (C)
- Non-compliance (NC)
- Partial compliance (PC)
- Not applicable/ Not observed (NA)
According to the same Act, the Food Safety inspector has to issue an enhancement notice grounded on the compliance position of the establishment. However, they admit a chance to show cause and also could indeed end up losing their food license, If they misbehave with the enhancement notice.
There are times where the food business driver might differ with the enhancement, and they can appeal to the State Commissioner of Food Safety. They can challenge the decision by appealing to the Food safety appellate bench/ high court.