In any economy, the most important industry that everyone says is the food industry. The main focus of the industry is food safety for both businesses and consumers. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the main regulatory body established under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act 2006 to ensure the safety, hygiene and quality of food products in India. Attaining an FSSAI license in India is not just a legal obligation for food businesses or companies, it is an instrument to work on the food safety standards of the industry.

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What is FSSAI?

The FSSAI stands for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, it functions as an independent body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, government of India. It serves as a central regulatory authority that makes sure about food safety, standards and guidelines. Every business that deals in food, such as restaurants and shops, requires an FSSAI license as proof of compliance with the standards.

FSSAI examines the manufacturing process, storage and sale of food items. It maintains cleanliness and health in food. When a food business gets an FSSAI license, it comes with a unique 14-digit number. This number is printed on food packages to let people know that the food is safe to eat.

Types of FSSAI License

There are 3 types of FSSAI license: 

• FSSAI basic registration: FSSAI basic registration is, which can be attained by food businesses that generates less than ₹ 12 lakh each year. The registration is acquired by small cafes, food stalls and hawkers. Form A must be give in to complete this registration. Such registration guarantees healthy food consumption.
• FSSAI state license: Food business units earning between ₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore every twelve months require FSSAI state license. Medium-sized companies that want it, such as large restaurants and food distributors fall into this group. This license is functional in form B, making sure that the food business keeps all the safety rules in mind.
• FSSAI central license: Those doing business of more than Rs 20 crore in a year will have to obtain a FSSAI central license. This license is required for large businesses and businesses operating in multiple states. Just same as state licence, form B is submitted to get this license.

How Does an FSSAI License Improve Food Safety Standards?

FSSAI license improve food safety standards in many ways:

• Ensures compliance with food safety regulations: The key way because of which an FSSAI license improves food safety standards is by making sure that a food business is following all rules and regulations that are made by FSSAI. To gain an FSSAI license, food related companies should pass different checks that are associated with hygiene, food handling, storage, labelling, and others. These rules and guidelines are made to make sure that the goods related to food is harmless for humans and is free from contamination.
• Builds consumer trust and confidence: Consumers nowadays are more concerned about food safety and security. Everyone wants to know that whatever they eating is not only tasty and yummy but healthy, hygienic and safe. When someone have an FSSAI license then, it is a direct sign that this business or this food company follows food safety standards. When any customer or consumers see the FSSAI logo on any food product or is aware about the business holding an FSSAI license, then they trust the brand blindly. This trust gives confidence to consumers and in return they are just too loyal to the brand.
• Prevents health risks and contamination: Consumers are now more scared about any disease that can be caused because of adulterated food. An FSSAI license gives surety that the food company or business focuses on strict safety practices at every step of making. Some of the practices includes, regular cleaning and sanitization, this ensures that the food contacts places and things like utensils, equipment, machines, etc., are safe and are cleaned properly. Temperature control, when food is made at a perfect temperature is actually kills the bacteria and this don’t allow them to grow and this keeps it safe. Personal hygiene, anyone who is making the food or handling it, should uphold personal hygiene by keeping clean hands, using gloves, wearing clean clothes, don’t wipe hands with their clothes and many more. 
• Improves food quality: Avoiding adulterated food is not only one important thing, but it is also important to keep the quality of food high. The FSSAI standards want food companies to work on specific quality constrains, it includes how fresh the ingredients are, methods of cooking, keeping the food full of nutrients and other things. By giving importance to quality of the food as a part of FSSAI guidelines, businesses can focus on the quality and it will result in consumer happiness and less complaints.
• Ensures safe food packaging and labelling: Proper packaging and labelling are the vital parts of food safety. Appropriate packaging guards food from contaminants and makes sure it is safe and secured for consumers to consume. On the other hand labelling makes consumers clear about each and every important information that includes, ingredients, allergens, nutritional content, expiry date and others.

Also Read: Why do FSSAI Licenses Matter for Every Food Business?

Conclusion

Food safety is so important that it cannot be avoided, especially today, where each and every person is concerned about quality and safety. A powerful equipment that we can use for making our consumers feel secured, confident, and ensuring compliance with national and international standards is none other than FSSAI license. Having this license means that the food business is upto the mark and is providing good food stuff to the people. An FSSAI license not only help in legal things but also help in well-being of the consumers.