If you run a restaurant or a café, you will be aware of the FSSAI (Food Safety and Standard Authority of India). If you aren’t, the FSSAI rules the standardization of food in the hospitality industry. If you want to establish yourself in this industry, acquiring a license from the FSSAI is a must.
But what does the Food Safety and Standards Acts contain, and what are the rules that you need to abide by?
Below listed are the 12 primary guidelines set by FSSAI that must be followed by all food and beverage business owners-
- Maintenance of cleanliness in the establishment and regular pest control.
- Usage of hygienic and clean water in the preparation of foods and beverages.
- All food must be thoroughly cooked. Hot items must be kept above 60 degrees and cold items below 5 degrees.
- Frozen items should be kept below -18 degrees.
- All vegetarian items and ingredients should be stored separately from non-vegetarian items.
- Different sets of knives, chopping boards, and other utensils are to be used while preparing vegetarian and non-vegetarian items.
- All personnel employed by the establishment must maintain basic hygiene and wear clean clothes.
- All employees, including cooks, must wash their hands before and after handling food items or raw materials.
- Any employee with a cut/wound must wear waterproof bandages.
- No employee should cook or handle food items while under the effects of any diseases.
- Cleaning material for tables and utensils should be separate.
- All dustbins must be covered, and dry and wet waste should be separately collected.
Different Types of FSSAI Licenses
While the regulations mentioned above need to be followed by all establishments large and small, the license provided by FSSAI may vary along with the required fee. Below are the three types of licenses provided by the FSSAI.
1. Central License
Criteria- Provided to establishments that earn over INR 20 crores annually. If your business requires international trading of any sort, you are required to acquire this license.
Validity- The validity of the Central License lies anywhere between 1 and 5 years.
Cost- The cost of the FSSAI central license is INR 7500 per year.
2. State License
Criteria- Establishments that earn more than INR 12 lakhs per annum but less than INR 20 crores are provided with the FSSAI state license. If your establishment runs in more than one state, this license will not be applicable.
Validity-, The validity of state licence can be between 1 to 5 years.
Cost- The license costs anywhere between INR 2000 – 5000 per year
3. Basic Registration
Criteria- For businesses that earn less than 12 lakhs per year only require a basic registration with the FSSAI.
Validity- The basic registration is valid for a period of 1 to 5 years.
Cost- The cost of registration is INR 100 per year
Non-compliance with the guidelines of the FSSAI can result in penalties and fines for an establishment. Food safety is a highly important aspect of the F&B industry, and we ask all such establishments to follow these guidelines to their best capabilities.
Here’s a link to the FSSAI Website to get started- https://www.fssai.gov.in/
