Getting a food licence is mandatory for any establishment working with food or in the industry. While the process might be quite challenging for most people who have not done this before, there are exceptions to the rule. Other than finding private companies who are willing to assist with this process, the FSSAI also has a website allowing people in Bihar to apply for a food licence online. The process is quite prompt and takes about a month to complete from beginning to end. Unfortunately, the licence's have expiration dates, and applicants have to go through the renewal process accordingly, which is another process where the website can assist.
Bihar has a large number of people who are registering for their FSSAI licences, sometimes causing quite a jam at the FSSAI offices, which is one of the main reasons why the website has been such a blessing. It allows them to handle the process whenever convenient for them. Additionally, it has all the information that they might need about the process and can go through it to understand the process better.
Other than sending an application for a food licence, the website also creates accounts for the people that use it. They can use these accounts at a later point when they have to either renew their licence. The website also has several other uses, allowing applicants to make changes to their details if there were issues with it. Furthermore, it also allows them to make changes to their licences if they are planning on adding another dimension to their business.
While food licence registrations are mandatory, the businesses that are going through the process have to make sure they are registering under the right category. Many requirements force business owners to pick a specific registration category, like their annual turnover, how far are they planning on expanding and so on.
Additionally, there are multiple reasons why people could need a food licence cause working in the food industry can comprise, restaurants, food production factories, packaging of food, transportation of the same and so much more. If an establishment receives their FSSAI licence for one specific industry and they receive it, they cannot use the same licence number of they are considering pivoting to another vertical.
The introduction of the Food Safety and Standards Act was to better the hygiene and quality of food. Over the years, it has brought a tremendous positive change in the food industry. As per the Act, people cannot commence any food business except under an FSSAI license or registration. Therefore, any food manufacturing, processing, packaging, or distributing entity is required to obtain an FSSAI License or Registration in their respective state.
FSSAI Licenses are issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), that is a part of the Ministry of Family Health and Welfare, Government of India. Applicants should address all applications to the FSSAI in a prescribed format, available at their office and online, to commence a food business. Based on the registration application and supporting documents, the FSSAI has the right to approve or decline the application.