FSSAI and Food Safety Compliance in India: Everything You Need to Know
Food safety and hygiene are top priorities for both consumers and regulators in India. Whether you’re a food manufacturer, processor, importer, retailer, or even a cloud kitchen owner, compliance with FSSAI regulations is mandatory to ensure product integrity and consumer trust.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) sets the benchmarks for food safety, quality, labeling, and packaging. Failure to comply can lead to license cancellation, product recalls, or heavy penalties.
Awat Logistics, a leading compliance consulting firm, provides end-to-end support for FSSAI license registration, renewal, audits, labeling compliance, and advisory for food-related businesses across India.
🏛️ What is FSSAI?
FSSAI stands for the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, an autonomous body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, functioning under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Its primary role is to:
- Regulate and supervise food safety in India
- Set food quality and safety standards
- Issue licenses to food businesses
- Monitor food imports and exports
- Educate consumers on food safety
The goal is to ensure that food available to consumers is safe, hygienic, and free from adulteration.
🍽️ Who Needs FSSAI Registration?
Every business involved in the production, handling, storage, distribution, and sale of food must register with FSSAI. This includes:
- Food manufacturers and processors
- Importers and exporters of food
- E-commerce food platforms (Swiggy, Zomato, Amazon)
- Wholesalers and retailers
- Cloud kitchens, restaurants, bakeries
- Canteens, tiffin services, and caterers
- Dairy units and meat processing units
- Food packaging and labeling firms
Even small food vendors and hawkers need to register under FSSAI’s Basic Registration scheme.
🧾 Types of FSSAI Licenses
| License Type | Eligibility | Validity | Annual Turnover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Registration | Petty food businesses, local vendors | 1–5 years | Up to ₹12 lakh |
| State License | Medium-scale manufacturers, caterers, etc. | 1–5 years | ₹12 lakh – ₹20 crore |
| Central License | Large manufacturers, importers, food exporters | 1–5 years | Over ₹20 crore or involved in inter-state trade |
Awat Logistics helps assess your license category and handles all application formalities—saving you time and avoiding errors that lead to rejection.
📋 FSSAI License Registration Process
- Determine Business Type and License Category
Basic, State, or Central, depending on location and scale. - Prepare Required Documents
- PAN card & Aadhaar
- Business constitution documents (Partnership deed, MOA, etc.)
- Food category list
- Premises proof (utility bill or rent agreement)
- Food safety management plan
- NOC from the Municipality or local authority
- Import-export code (IEC) for food importers
- Apply via FoSCoS Portal
Submit application online at https://foscos.fssai.gov.in - Inspection by FSSAI Officer (if required)
For manufacturing and central licenses. - Grant of License or Registration
Issued after scrutiny, valid for up to 5 years.
🔄 FSSAI License Renewal
- Must be renewed 30 days before expiry to avoid late fees.
- Late renewal attracts ₹100 per day as a penalty.
- License lapses after expiry and requires re-application.
Awat Logistics offers renewal tracking, auto-reminders, and fast documentation filing to prevent license lapses and business disruption.
📦 FSSAI Compliance Requirements
Once licensed, businesses must maintain ongoing compliance, including:
1. Food Labeling Norms
- Product name, FSSAI logo & license number
- Nutritional information (per 100g/ml)
- Ingredient list with allergens
- Manufacturing & expiry date
- Batch code, net weight, country of origin (for imports)
2. Food Safety Management System (FSMS)
- SOPs for hygiene, pest control, waste disposal
- Staff training logs
- Daily sanitation records
- Corrective action and recall mechanism
3. Annual Returns Filing
- FSSAI Form D1 (mandatory for manufacturers and importers)
- FSSAI Form D2 (for milk products, submitted half-yearly)
4. Testing and Lab Compliance
- Periodic lab testing of food products from NABL-accredited labs
- Maintenance of test reports for verification
Awat Logistics audits your food safety plan, assists in return filings, and arranges NABL testing to keep you inspection-ready.
🛃 FSSAI for Food Importers
Food imports are monitored strictly by FSSAI and customs authorities. Importers must:
- Obtain FSSAI Central License
- Register food consignments on ICEGATE and FoSCoS
- Submit product labels for approval
- Get clearance from FSSAI-authorized laboratories at the port
Failure to comply may result in consignment rejection or destruction.
Awat Logistics facilitates end-to-end import compliance, from license setup to FSSAI clearance at ports.
🧠 Penalties for Non-Compliance
| Violation | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Operating without license | ₹5 lakh + imprisonment up to 6 months |
| Unsafe/adulterated food | ₹1 lakh – ₹10 lakh + closure |
| Mislabeling | ₹3 lakh |
| Misleading ads | ₹10 lakh |
| Non-filing of annual returns | Penalty + license cancellation |
🧰 FSSAI Services by Awat Logistics
- ✅ FSSAI Basic/State/Central License registration
- ✅ FSSAI license renewal and modification
- ✅ FSMS document preparation and implementation
- ✅ Label design verification as per FSSAI rules
- ✅ FSSAI portal management and return filing
- ✅ Import compliance and port clearance
- ✅ Vendor and third-party audits
- ✅ End-to-end consulting for new product launches
Whether you are a manufacturer, a startup food brand, or a multinational importing food into India, we offer reliable FSSAI compliance solutions tailored to your needs.
📊 Case Study: FSSAI Compliance for Cloud Kitchen
Client: Multi-location cloud kitchen in Delhi NCR
Problem: Missing renewals, inconsistent labeling, hygiene SOP issues
Solution by Awat Logistics:
- Fast-tracked FSSAI renewals
- Trained staff on hygiene SOPs
Verified and redesigned all packaging labels
Impact: Passed FSSAI inspection in 2024, 100% compliance with FSMS
🌍 Related Services from Awat Logistics
In addition to FSSAI, we also help clients with:
- BIS Certification for packaged food products
- DGFT Licensing for food exports
- EPR Registration for food packaging
- AEO Certification for food logistics companies
Customs Clearance and FTWZ support for food imports and exports
🏁 Conclusion
FSSAI compliance is not just legal—it’s essential for business success in India’s competitive food sector. Whether you’re a small vendor or a global brand, maintaining FSSAI licensing and food safety standards helps you avoid legal issues, build consumer trust, and scale operations smoothly.
Awat Logistics is your one-stop solution for FSSAI license registration, renewal, labeling audits, food import/export clearance, and complete compliance advisory.