How to choose your Food Product category under FSSAI Regulation?

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, is transiting to licensing manufacturers based on list of Standardized Food Products from the previous text box approach wherein applicant was required to enter the name of the product.

These Standardized Products may have variants (i.e types & subtypes) which may have different vertical standards. For administrative convenience and to facilitate food businesses the approach adopted is to grant license based on description of standardized product, including its variants (its types & subtypes) unless the FCS (food category system classification) is different or there is a need for administration reason. Such clubbing has been done in 101 cases. This will also avoid need for unnecessary modification requirements if FBO desires to manufacture another standard variant of the food product or standards for a new variant is added under the same rule with same FCS.

Thus, a food category for FSSAI license indicating the description of Product includes the variants. It needs to be ensured by FBO that the products are standardized. Any deviation from Standardized Food license category will have to be applied under other suitable categories such as Proprietary, Health Supplements & Nutraceuticals and Novel Foods etc as the case maybe.

e.g. FBO is manufacturing & granted License for Butter (FCS:2.2.1 and FSSR No. 2.1.9): It means she/ he can manufacture all it’s variants (i.e types & subtypes) i.e Table Butter, White Butter/cooking butter, Pasteurized butter etc. Further, if FSSAI notifies standards for any other kind of butter (variant) in addition to above 3 sub-types under the same rule and product, the FBO need not to apply for License provided the FCS remains the same.

ii. Chocolate (FCS:5.1.3, FSSR No. 2.7.4): FBO granted license for manufacturing of Chocolate under FCS No. 5.1.3 can manufacture all its variants (i.e types & subtypes) as described under the FSSR No. 2.7.4 i.e FBO can manufacture Milk chocolate, milk covering chocolate, plain chocolate, plain covering chocolate, blended chocolate, white chocolate, filled chocolate, composite chocolate, praline, couverture chocolate. Further, if FSSAI notifies standard for any other (type or subtype) of chocolate in addition to sub-types mentioned, the FBO need not to apply for License provided the FCS remains the same.

Step wise Procedure:

1. Go to https://foscos.fssai.gov.in/public/ 

2. Under the Small (Petty) FBO sign in click on "View all Eligibility Criteria Details".

3. You will get 2 search boxes in the middle of the Page.

4. In the left side box fill your Food Product and press enter.

5. You'll get the Food Category, Sub-Food Category, Product name as per FSSAI and FSSAI Product Code under the tab of Description.