A complete guide to transfer a Food License

Introduction

A food license is an extremely important part of the food industry since it provides confirmation that the products you are providing to your customers are of the finest quality. According to the law, having a license is required. It is necessary to pass safety and hygiene legislation in order to supply people with hygienic food. Before opening a food business, a food business in India must complete the food license registration process. In this article, we will discuss to transfer a food license under the 2006 Food Safety and Standards Act.

What is FSSAI (Food Standards and Safety Authority of India)?

The FSSAI stands for Food Standards and Safety Authority of India, which is the top agency for supervision of regulating and monitoring food safety. FSSAI Simple Registration is required for all businesses in the food industry. You will need to register and provide information about your company’s type, manufacturing scale, product category or formulation, etc. Food Business Operators (FBOs) are required to report any adjustments to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) within a sufficient period of time.

FSSAI Food registration is required for everyone who handles food in any way before it reaches the consumer, including those who handle raw materials, production, packaging, mess, packing, and delivery of canteens, as well as businesses with the legal right to sell food. Even individuals who provide services to a limited number of customers out of their houses must follow the registration process. You must register with the FSSAI if you are earning money from it.

Types of FSSAI License  

There are 3 types of FSSAI Licenses mentioned below:

1. Basic FSSAI License:   Food Business Operators who are involved in small-scale food business have to obtain FSSAI Registration Food Businesses with Annual turnover below Rs. 12 lakhs for food businesses requires to obtain Basic FSSAI license.

2. FSSAI State License:   The State FSSAI licenses are required for manufacturers, storage, transporters, retailers, marketers, distributors, etc. This license is issued by the concerned State Authorities in each state. Annual turnover more than Rs. 12 lakhs but below Rs. 20 crores for food businesses to obtain State FSSAI license.

3. FSSAI Central License:   Central FSSAI license is issued by the FSSAI Regional Offices which are functioning across the nation. This FSSAI license can be issued and renewed for a period of 1 to 5 years. Annual turnover more than Rs. 20 crores for food businesses to obtain Central FSSAI license.

Transfer/Change/Alteration in the Food License

If the FSSAI License has already been issued, you must follow certain steps to transfer a food license. To update the FSSAI License or Registration, an application must essentially be submitted.

In the case that the FSSAI license holder passes away, the license may be transferred to a legal representative or any surviving family members. The legal representative or a family member must request that the certificate be transferred in their favour to the appropriate authority. After verification, the Authority may approve or reject the application.

However, the application cannot be rejected by the FSSAI License Authority without giving the applicant a chance to be taken into consideration. The FSSAI license will be continued in case of the death of the registration certificate or the license holder and only when the legal representative or other surviving family member requests the transfer of that certificate. The FSSAI certificate expires if it is not presented within 90 days of the holder’s registration certificate or license expiring.

What is the process to transfer Food License?

The steps involved in transferring a food license are as follows:

• Go to FSSAI website and log in to the portal.
• Choose “Apply for duplicate/transfer/surrender of license” from the drop-down menu.
• In the Action column next to the License Number, choose “Transfer.”
• Complete the necessary information, such as the address of the business, contact information, registered office information, the cause of the license holder’s death, the date of the death, etc.
• The appointed officer is responsible for processing food license transfer applications.
• The application for the transfer of License must be attached with a death certificate and a legal heir certificate.

Conclusion

The process of transferring a food license is not difficult, and the applicant can complete it quickly and easily online. By using their login credentials, license holders and others can access the FSSAI portal across. FSSAIs are important in bridging the gap between safe food and food that has adulterated. Once the application has been processed with no correction to be done, the certificate or license will be transferred as requested.