In India, every food business either needs to be registered or licensed to carry on its activities. Whether a food business shall need registration or license depends upon

• The scale of business; 
• The nature of the business; and 
• The number of States in India where the business will be carried on. 

Registration is normally granted by the State-level Food Regulators whereas a license may be granted by either State level or Central Food Regulator, that is, FSSAI.

The food regulators, under the current timelines stipulated in the Food Safety and Standards [Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses] Regulations, 2011, take between seven days and a month to grant registration and up to two months to issue a license. Sometimes this gets compounded while, at the pre-registration/pre-license inspection, the inspector has directed the applicant to make improvements before the grant of registration/license may be made.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has come out with an instant license and registration scheme under the Tatkal scheme for food businesses. Through this move, it is eyeing to smoothen and speed up the process of licensing so that businesses could run with more efficiency and compliance. This step has been taken as a part of the big plan by FSSAI to improve standards on food safety and regulations across the country.

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FSSAI Tatkal (Instant) System of Food License

This is for the ease of doing business for businesses. The process for grant of license has been streamlined by making provisions for instant registration/ license of food businesses without inspection. Of course, the registered/ licensed food business will be open to future inspection and requirements to comply with the inspection-related improvements.

The said 'Tatkal' facility of the grant of license shall be available for the following categories of food businesses: importers, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, transporters, non-atmospheric-controlled storage, food vending agencies, direct sellers, merchant exporters, petty retailers like snack and tea shops, and mobile food vendors (hawkers).

However, this Tatkal registration or license shall not be issued to food business operators dealing in milk, meat, and fish. Also, the applicant should not have had their registration or license suspended or canceled in the prior three months before the date of application.

Every food business operator shall carefully scrutinize each application before submitting it. The supplying of incorrect information concerning the nature of the business or non-eligibility can attract imprisonment of up to six months and a fine which may extend up to Rs. 10 lakhs.

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Need for FSSAI Instant (Tatkal) Licensing

The food industry in India ranges from small vendors to large manufacturing units. This rapid growth in the food industry ironically created a need for a much faster and more efficient licensing procedure. Traditional methods of licensing used to take days, even weeks, and naturally, the eagerness to board the train was delayed and therefore lost precious days. All these challenges are addressed by the Tatkal scheme with a faster alternative

Benefits of FSSAI Instant (Tatkal) License to Food Businesses

• Quick Market Entry: Faster licensing will translate to quicker times to market for businesses, thereby really slicing down the time between set-up and revenue generation.
• Regulatory Compliance: The eased process sees more businesses complying with food safety regulations and keeping higher standards around the industry.
• Operational Efficiency: There is less waiting time and easier documentation management, which contributes to a boost in overall operational efficiency, tending to focus more on quality and growth from the view of the business.
• Better Food Safety: By easier granting of licenses to the applied business entities, the FSSAI ensures that more food operators follow the laid-down safety standards.

Eligibility of FSSAI Instant (Tatkal) Scheme

The scheme extends to all food businesses, be they manufacturers, distributors, or retailers. Only the application process involves submitting the requisite documents through the FSSAI online portal. A license or registration is issued in almost no time at all after the application has been reviewed and approved.

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Important Features of the FSSAI Instant (Tatkal) Scheme

• Speed and Efficiency: One major strength that keeps the Tatkal scheme going is its speed. This campaign ensures that businesses involved in food get licenses or even registration within a very short period compared to the normal process. For new venturing businesses, most especially, this is quite helpful in jump-starting operations.
• Reduced Procedure: The Tatkal scheme simplifies and facilitates the operation of documentation and verification. Therefore, compliance becomes easier for enterprises. In this way, bureaucratic hurdles are reduced to discourage the companies from flouting the food safety standards.
• Online Application: The entire procedure of applying for the Tatkal license is online on the FSSAI portal. Not only is this digital approach going to make the process of applying easy, but it will assure more transparency and efficiency. Applicants have provisions for tracing real-time application status information, thereby minimizing uncertainty and improving convenience.
• Higher Fee for Expedited Service: The Tatkal scheme offers expedited service but at a higher fee in comparison with the standard licensing process. Faster processing times and the convenience this offers businesses warranted additional fees in this case.

Procedure to Obtain FSSAI Instant (Tatkal) License and Registration

Preparation:

• The applicant shall first have a valid Aadhaar number and PAN number for the application.
• Gather all the documents relating to identity proof, address proof, and business details.

Online Registration:

• Reach out to the site of FSSAI fssai.gov.in.
• Go to the Food Licensing & Registration System FLRS portal.
• Click on Apply for License/Registration. '

Filling the Application Form:

• Now select the type of business and opt for 'Tatkal' to expedite its processing.
• Fill in the details correctly that are asked in this regard, like the name of the business, address, contact details, and nature of the business. 
• Upload the necessary documents, including proof of identity, proof of address, and any other certificates. 

Payment of Fees:

• Pay the enhanced amount of fee relevant to the Tatkal service. The fee shall vary according to the kind of food business and the period for which the license is sought to be registered.
• Online payment through the FLRS portal using any of credit/debit card, net banking, etc.

Submission and Verification:

• The Application form shall be submitted online.
• After submitting, the application will then be scrutinized by FSSAI officials.
• The officials may contact you for any further information or clarification.

Inspection (if Required):

• In certain cases, FSSAI may inspect the business premises before issuing the license.
• Be sure that your premises are according to all requirements of hygiene and safety; as per the standards set by FSSAI.

Approval and Issuance:

• On verification and inspection, if all goes well, the license or registration shall be done.
• The Tatkal scheme ensures that it all gets done in a jiffy, usually in a few days.

Downloading the License:

• You may download the license or registration certificate from the FLRS portal once it is approved.
• Keep a printed copy of the license at your business premises since it has to be displayed mandatorily.

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Fee Structure

The Tatkal scheme is sure to have a fee that is higher than a normal licensing process. Kept justified by the expedited service and the level of convenience offered to food businesses, this extra cost will be incurred.

Impact of FSSAI Instant (Tatkal) License 

The Tatkal scheme of license and registration has the potential to bring a sea change in the food industry. The SME sector, too, mainly suffering from regulatory compliances, would benefit greatly. It will support the growth of a safer and more robust food sector in India by reducing entry barriers and incentivizing compliance.

This scheme is also in tune with the overall vision of the government toward improving the ease of doing business in India. It reaffirms FSSAI's commitment to the use of technology and innovation in improving regulatory frameworks and promoting industry growth.

Conclusion

This decision of the Indian Government to issue tatkal or instant registrations and licenses is quite pragmatic toward improving the ease of doing business for all operators. The facility will be initially available only for individuals who own food businesses (proprietors) and be rolled out in Assam, Delhi, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, and Kerala. It is expected to be eventually extended to partnerships/registered firms and be available to businesses in other States and Union Territories as well.

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