Food business licence Registration goes Online

Food business operators (FBO) in Pune will no longer have to visit the Food and Drugs Administration's office to register their business or apply for its licence.

The state Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has launched an online facility for those in the business of manufacture, sale, distribution or transport of any kind of food material across the state can simply log on to the designated website, furnish details and submit the fee on another designated portal to register get a licence for their business or renew their existing licence.

Food business operators with an annual turnover of above Rs 12 crore must possess a licence and those who earn less than Rs 12 crore a year must get a registration certificate, as per the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Shashikant Kekare, joint commissioner (food), FDA, Pune division, said, “Earlier, food business operators in Pune had to come to our office in Guruwar Peth. Now, they can simply log on to www.foodlicensing.fssai.gov.in and sign up to avail of the online facility benefit to get their licence or to register.”

As per Section 31 (1) and Section 32 (2) of Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, it is mandatory for food business operators to obtain either a licence or a registration from the FDA. Operating food businesses without the mandatory licence or registration is punishable under section 63 of the act.