How to Get an FSSAI License for Home-based Food Business

The Indian food market is witnessing a boom in home-based food businesses, and the government has improved the registration process for FSSAI licenses for home kitchens and made it simpler for entrepreneurs. Today, in this article, we will talk in detail about the Home Kitchen based businesses. This article will give you all the details of homemade food license requirements so that you can make an informed decision as an entrepreneur. 

Table of Content 

1. What is FSSAI?
2. What is a Home Kitchen according to FSSAI?
3. Types of Licenses according to yearly turnover
4. Fees for Types of Licenses
5. Documents required to get a home-based food business license
6. Step-by-Step Process of Application
7. Benefits of having FSSAI License for Home Kitchen Business
8. Conclusion

What is FSSAI?

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is a statutory body that regulates the production, sale, storage, and import of food items in the country. Its aim is to maintain food safety and hygiene. FSSAI was established via the Food Safety and Standards ACT in 2006 and enforced by the Food Safety and Standards Regulations in 2011. It is an independent body that issues online FSSAI registration numbers and licenses for home businesses. 

What is a Home Kitchen according to FSSAI?

A home-based kitchen is a food business operating in residential premises where food is prepared and sold through various online and offline channels. It is a small-scale business which sells homemade food by local chefs. In present times, the government has made it mandatory for them to get an FSSAI basic registration for home food businesses to get themselves verified as a food supplier. 

Below are some critical compliance points to keep in mind in order to get your home-based food business license –

1. Keep a clean and hygienic kitchen and food storage space.
2. Maintain a proper register recording the details of the purchase of raw materials and a list of vendors.
3. Proof of usage of clean water.
4. Pay attention to standardizing food labelling and packaging of prepared food.
5. Please avoid prohibited edible items for food preparation. 

Types of Licenses according to Yearly Business Turnover 

At present, the government has made a law that makes it mandatory for all types of Home Kitchen Businesses to get a registration license before starting operations.

You can apply for an online FSSAI license for a home business according to the following categories based on annual turnover. 

1. FSSAI Basic Registration – This is a ‘Form A’ Application, and it is required when the business’s turnover is less than 12 Lacs per year. 
2. FSSAI State Registration -This is a ‘Form B’ Application, and it is required if your yearly business turnover is between 12 Lacs and 20 Crores.  
3. FSSAI Central Registration – This is a ‘Form C’ Application, and it is required if your yearly business turnover is more than 20 Crores. 

Fees for Types of Licenses

1. FSSAI Basic Registration—The fee is 100 rupees per year, but the State Government may impose additional charges if necessary.
2. FSSAI State Registration – The fee ranges from 2000 to 5000 rupees per year.
3. FSSAI Central Registration – The fee is 7500 (+GST) rupees per year.

Documents Required Getting a Home-based Food Business License

The entire list of documents needed for a home-based FSSAI license is as follows:-

 Documents required to obtain Basic FSSAI Registration are as follows-

Personal ID Proof – The person seeking a license should submit Photo ID Proof such as an Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID, Passport, or Driving License.

1. Business Address Proof – For this, the business owner can submit any document, such as an electricity Bill, Rent Agreement, or Property Tax Receipt.
2. List of Food Products Manufactured – Here the business owner has to mention the kind of food product manufactured and sold. Example – Dairy, bread, meat, and cheese products.

       Documents required for State FSSAI registration for home Bakers and c          chefs are as  follows- 

1. Business Premises Address Proof – Documents like Rental Agreements, Property Tax Receipt or Electricity Bill. 
2. ID Proof of all Partners – Any one of the documents – Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Driving License, or Passport.  
3. Business Structure Proof – The owners should give proof of Government Registration of their business. The proof can be given via such documents – Company Incorporation Certificate, Shop and Establishment Registration Certificate, GST Registration Number, Trade License, Partnership Deed, etc.
4. MOA and AOA – When the applicant is incorporated as a Private Ltd company or is a Partnership Firm then it is mandatory to submit a MOA and AOA document or a copy of the Partnership Deed.
5. No objection Certificate from Panchayat or Local Municipality – If an applicant wants to gain an FSSAI Certificate for homemade products then a certificate of No Objection is required by these local governing bodies.
6. List of Food Products Manufactured and Nature of Business – The applicant has to specify the list of food products manufactured and sold by the home kitchen. For example – Meat Products, Dairy Products, Syrups, etc.
7. Water Report – The water analysis report should be obtained by a certified health laboratory and submitted with your registration application. This is to prove that good quality water is being used in food preparation.
8. A document specifying anticipated yearly earnings – This document is required to examine the type of FSSAI license for home kitchens that should be issued according to yearly business turnover.

1. FSSAI Declaration Form – It is mandatory to gain an online FSSAI license for a home business. 

1. For Manufacturing or Re-packager Category License – The applicant should submit photos of machinery and plant layout, electricity consumption details given on company letterhead, and a list of products produced and sold on company letterhead. 

 Documents required for Central FSSAI registration for  home Bakers and chefs are as follows-

1. Personal Identification Proof – All partners should give their ID Proof by one of the following – Aadhaar Card, Voter ID Card, Ration Card, Passport, Driving License, and PAN Card. 
2. Business Location Proof – It is one of the important documents needed for a home-based FSSAI license. You can submit documents like Rental Agreement, Electricity Bill, or Property Tax Receipt.
3. Government Registration of the Business – Please submit documents like a Company Incorporation Certificate, Partnership Deed, Firm Registration, Article of Association for the Company, Shop and Establishment Registration, GST Number Registration, or PAN Card Number.
4. Import/Export Code Certificate – If you want to apply for overseas business rights this I/E Certificate is necessary. 
5. No objection Certificate from Panchayat or Local Municipality – If a business wants an FSSAI Certificate for homemade products then it has to obtain a certificate of No Objection required by these local governing bodies.
6. Water Report – This report should be obtained by a certified health laboratory and submitted with the registration application. It ensures that good quality water is being used in food preparation.
7. Authorized Letter – This letter should be printed on Company Letterhead and should certify that the person applying for the FSSAI registration for home bakers and chefs is authorized to do so.   
8. List of Food Products Manufactured and Nature of Business – It is one of the top homemade food license requirements. The applicant has to specify the list of food products manufactured and sold (in detail) by the home kitchen. For example – Meat Products, Dairy Products, Syrups, etc. 
9. A document specifying anticipated yearly earnings – This document is required to decide on the type of home based food business license to be issued by FSSAI according to yearly business turnover. 
10. Certificate of Approval by Animal Husbandry – If your food products are animals, like dairy and meat, a certificate to use such products, a certificate by Animal Husbandry, is mandatory. 
11. FSSAI Declaration Form – It is mandatory to gain an online FSSAI license for a home business. It is a No Objection Certificate from FSSAI ensuring good compliance. 
12. For Manufacturing or Re-packager Category License – The applicant should submit photos of machinery and plant layout, electricity consumption details given on company letterhead, and a list of products produced and sold given on company letterhead. 

Step-by-Step Process of Application 

Business persons get stressed about how to get an FSSAI License for a home kitchen in India. But here we have simplified the process in easy steps given below. 

1. Log in to the official FSSAI Website (foscos.fssai.gov.in) and click on Apply License Registration.
2. Then click on the ‘General’ Category on the page. 
3. A page will open; here, select your ‘State’ in India (e.g., Rajasthan). 
4. Then scroll down to the ‘Kind of Business’ option and select the ‘Food Service’ category from the drop-down menu. 
5. From a drop-down menu, select ‘Restaurants’ from the options.
6. Another drop-down menu will appear after clicking restaurants; it regards the annual turnover categories of – (a) Less than 12 Lacs, (b) From 12 Lacs to 20 Crores, and (c) Above 20 Crores.
7. A ‘Proceed’ button will be there below; click it to move further. 
8. Then, fill out the application form.  It has (a) Name of the Applicant, (b) Designation, (c Address Detail, (d) PAN Number, (e) Contact detail, (f) License duration, (g) Food Category, (h) Source of Water supply, (i) Details of Power Supply, (j) Date of Business Commencement.
9. Fill out the form and click on ‘Proceed’ to submit it. 
10. When the form is successfully submitted, the system will generate a ‘Login ID’ for you. 
11. The page will open, and you will have to upload proof of your Photo ID.
12. Then, upload documents to specify the Location of the Business Premises.
13. Now, you will be given options for ‘Online Payment’ to complete the process. 
14. Verification and Inspection by Authorities – After you have submitted your form the concerned authorities will review your application for FSSAI Registration and verify all the submitted documents. The officials can even visit your home kitchen premises during this process.  
15. When the entire process is done, the FSSAI Registration Certificate will be issued to your business. 

Benefits of having FSSAI License for Home Kitchen Business

The benefits of having the FSSAI Registration for home bakers and chefs are noteworthy and will have a far-reaching positive effect on your small business. The benefits are as follows – 

1. Win the trust and confidence of the consumer – With the FSSAI Registration License Number printed on all your food packaging, automatically the consumer will start trusting you regarding food safety and hygiene.
2. Legal Compliance – Businesses that follow legal compliances set by the concerned authorities are at lower risk of legal issues and it ensures smooth functioning of the day-to-day business.  
3. Builds Market Credibility and Brand Image – The brand image of the business and its market credibility get a positive boost if the business ensures all legal compliances and obligations are met. 
4. Route for Expansion – A small business can change its license type if its turnover increases. And can aim to export its products to Pan-India or globally. 

Conclusion – 

In India, FSSAI has made it compulsory for all home kitchen businesses to obtain the Food License Registration Number. Owning a home business generates a sense of excitement and enthusiasm for the owner but ensuring food safety and proper hygiene is also very important.

The FSSAI certificate for homemade products ensures that food is of good quality and fit for human consumption. We have mentioned all the details of homemade food license requirements in this article above, and you can follow it step by step for an easy registration process.