The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the apex regulatory body governing food safety across India. Whether you are a small-scale manufacturer, a D2C startup or an established FMCG brand, understanding your FSSAI obligations is non-negotiable.
Why FSSAI Compliance Matters More Than Ever
India's food regulatory landscape has evolved dramatically over the past five years. With the introduction of Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, and increasing enforcement actions, non-compliance now carries serious consequences — from product recalls and penalties to reputational damage that can sink a brand overnight.
More importantly, compliant products earn consumer trust. In a market where health-consciousness is rising rapidly, the FSSAI logo on your packaging is a credibility signal that directly influences purchase decisions.
Types of FSSAI Licences and Who Needs What
FSSAI operates a three-tier licensing framework based on business scale:
1. Basic Registration (Form A)
Applicable to businesses with annual turnover below ₹12 lakh. Includes petty food manufacturers, small retailers and temporary stall operators. Valid for 1–5 years at state level.
2. State Licence (Form B)
For businesses with turnover between ₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore. Most mid-sized food processors and caterers fall in this category. Issued by the state food safety commissioner.
3. Central Licence (Form B — Central)
Mandatory for businesses with turnover above ₹20 crore, importers, exporters, and multi-state operations. Typically takes 30–60 days to process.
Key Documents Required
- Form B duly filled and signed by the proprietor
- Blueprint/layout of the processing unit
- List of food products to be manufactured
- Photo identity of proprietors/directors
- Water analysis report from a NABL laboratory
- Medical fitness certificates of food handlers
- SOP for sanitation and pest control
- Equipment list with installed capacity
Labelling Compliance: What Every Manufacturer Must Know
The 2020 Labelling Regulations brought sweeping changes. Every pre-packaged food product must now display:
- Product name and brand name
- FSSAI licence number of the manufacturer
- Net quantity by weight, volume or number
- Ingredients list in descending order
- Nutritional information per 100g/ml and per serving
- Date of manufacture and best-before date
- Vegetarian/non-vegetarian symbol
- Customer care contact
Common Compliance Mistakes to Avoid
- Incorrect nutritional claims: Using "low fat" or "high protein" without meeting regulatory thresholds
- Missing FSSAI number: Both manufacturer and packer numbers must appear on pack
- Expired licences: Renewal must be initiated at least 30 days before expiry
- Non-conforming facility: The plant layout filed must match the actual facility
How NuLogic Can Help
At NuLogic Innovations, our regulatory team handles end-to-end FSSAI compliance — from initial registration and facility audits to label design review, renewal management, and responding to show-cause notices. We have helped over 350 brands achieve and maintain FSSAI compliance without production downtime.