FSSAI Food License for Ecommerce - Registration Process, Documents Required, Fees

India's Food Safety and Standard authority are solely responsible for food safety and standards, rules and regulations, and guidance of the e-commerce food industry in India. According to FSSAI, those who carry out their businesses through online portals are classified as E-commerce food business operators in India, such as zomato, swiggy, grofers.

FSSAI has defined online business models as follows:

Such as;

1. Inventory-based model:

It is a business model that manages the inventory themselves, i.e., they buy from manufacturers and sell it directly to customers. This model has an advantage as it gives complete control over product quality and delivery time.

2. Marketplace-based model:

An e-commerce marketplace model commonly used by big food and grocery stores. The platform will only provide essential services like payment, logistics, and customer support, while all other operations related to food products are managed directly by the vendors.

3. Hybrid model:

In this business model, you can sell your food products directly through your website without using third-party websites or platforms like Amazon or Flipkart. This business model provides full control over pricing and marketing strategies by which one can also set up their brand name in the market.

E-Commerce refers to the sale of food products online, but it can also be described as any commercial transaction that happens online.

Such as;

• Ecommerce businesses that provide storage facilities to their sellers for their food products, such businesses are required to have an FSSAI license.
• Online businesses such as zomato and swiggy, which provide listing facilities to dhaba owners, hotels, or any such food manufacturers such online platforms are also required to have Fssai registration.
• Individual food manufacturers sell their products on their online portals. Such businesses are also termed E-Commerce food businesses, such as BurgerFi.
• Businesses that provide transportation facilities to their sellers and vendors, and manufacturers.

All E-commerce food operators must get a central license irrespective of their limits and turnover.

Shall provide mandatory food information mentioned by FSS Act rules and regulations made thereunder be provided to the consumers without charging any supplementary cost.

Any food article delivered to consumers must have a shelf life of upto 30% or 45 days before expiry.

Online FBOs are required to comply with these guidelines.

• E-commerce FBOs must take queries of their customers on an urgent basis if the consumers register any complaints regarding their services and Food product.
• All the products must be printed with visible and readable license numbers.

All online FBOs, including catering businesses, dhabas, hotels, petty food sellers, hawkers, and vendors, must follow these guidelines of FSSAI for E-commerce businesses.

• Maintain hygiene and standards laid down by FSSAI for E-commerce.
• Food Business operators selling cooked or prepared food online shall display a notice board containing the nature of articles being exposed for sale.
• E-commerce to make mandatory declarations Rule 10 of the Amended legal metrology rules requires e-commerce entities to make declarations mandatorily.
• Food products offered for sale by Ecommerce FBO shall be liable to sampling at any supply chain point.
• Ecommerce FBO must ensure that there must be no mislabelling or misbranding of the food product.
• The Ecommerce entity shall immediately delist any food products listed on their platforms that are not in compliance with FSS Act.

1. Import-Export code issued by DGFT
2. NOC from the municipality or panchayat
3. Proof of ownership of premise
4. NOC from the owner of the rented premise
5. Authorized Photo identity proof of E-commerce FBO
6. Partnership deed, declaration of proprietorship or certificate of incorporation
7. Food safety management plan for E-commerce warehouse
8. List of companies' directors
9. Trade license certificate