The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the authority which is founded under the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006. FSSAI is an independent statutory entity. This authority manages food-related issues and works to develop good standards for food articles and to control their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import in a manner that is safe for consumption by the consumer. It also tries to provide standardized conditions or legislation for all issues relating to food safety and standards. Its headquarters is in Delhi. Moreover, the establishing authority of FSSAI is the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, which is the apex body that regulates FSSAI and it is the administrative Ministry for the implementation of FSSAI. It provides FSSAI License for every food owner to do the business regarding food. It basic purpose is secure food market. In this article, we will discuss about how to check FSSAI License Number online

 Where Do you Apply for FSSAI Licensing?

Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS), has been launched by the FSSAI to replace the Food and Licensing and Registration System (FLRS). Visit FoSCoS and log in using your existing user ID and password, or register if you’re a new user. Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) is an improved version of the Food Licensing and Registration System (FLRS), which was introduced in 2012 for the issue of FSSAI licenses and registrations across India. Every food license has a 14-digit FSSAI license number which has to be mentioned on every packaging of the food product along with the FSSAI logo.

 What is FSSAI License Number?

The Food Business Operators are required to display their 14-digit license number received at the time of the FSSAI license certificate for their food business at a prominent place in their business place or premises and on the packaging of the product. The FSSAI license number is divided into five sections and they are as follows:

• Section 1 – The first digit of the FSSAI number indicates whether the Food business has received registration/license. 

Note: FSSAI License number consists of 14 digits and starts with ‘1’ and the FSSAI registration number starts with ‘2’

FSSAI registration is for Petty food business operators who manufacture or sell any article of food themselves or any business that is small scale has an annual turnover of fewer than 12 lakhs. Any FBO not coming under petty FBO should obtain an FSSAI license for operating a food business in India.

• Section 2 – The second and the third digits of the license number indicates the state/Union territory/centre code in which the food business is registered and operational. 
• Note: Central licensing will be indicated by the number ‘00’
• Section 3 – The fourth and fifth digits of the license number the year in which the food business operator received the FSSAI license or started its business.
• Section 4 – The sixth, seventh and eighth digits of the license number signify the designated officer under whose jurisdiction the license is issued. 
• Section 5 – The last six digits of the license number indicate the serial number of the FBO.

Purpose of FSSAI Licence Number

To make it visible or available to consumers:-

FSSAI registration number of any food business operator was not easily visible and available to consumers. Moreover, no database could be created without a unique number. Here, the FSSAI number has made it easier for consumers.

Access information:-

It is mandatory to display the FSSAI licence number on packaged food labels because this will enable the consumers to have access to information about a particular food business through FSSAI’s portals. Consumers can visit the FSSAI’s portal by typing the 14-digit License/Registration number.

For expressing grievance:-

In case of any grievance, a consumer can give a complaint online against a food business using the License number. 

Improves the overall awareness of FSSAI

If the FBO mentions the FSSAI licence number, it brings awareness of FSSAI to the public. If it is not mentioned, then it will signify that the company has not taken any license or registration from the FSSAI.

Traceability of food products:-

When the FSSAI number is mentioned, it will help in improving the traceability of food products.

Requirement

The only requirement the user should have for checking the license number is the FSSAI License Number, which the user received after registering for the FSSAI license.

How to Check FSSAI License Number?

For the purposes of checking the license number, you need to follow the below-mentioned steps to know the details:- 

Step 1: Visit the FoSCoS website. 

The applicant has to visit the official website of FoSCoS ( https://foscos.fssai.gov.in/) to check the FSSAI license number.

 Step 2: Click on ‘FBO Search’

 Step 3: Enter the 14-digit license number mentioned in the FSSAI license certificate given to the applicant on successful registration for a license, fill out the captcha and click on the ‘Submit’. 

 Step 4: The FSSAI license details will appear as follows:

Details Mentioned in the FSSAI License Number

The following details are displayed when the user checks the FSSAI license number online:

• FBO/company name.
• Premises address.
• License number.
• License type (State License or Central License).
• Validity (active or inactive).
• List of products of the FBO:- This mentions the details of the product.

Conclusion

The food business is increasing and it is a necessity to ensure that safe and hygienic food is available to the consumers, this is ensured by the FSSAI. FSSAI license number is a unique 14-digit number issued when the FSSAI license application is approved. The process of checking FSSAI number is done online and it is easily done through the official website of the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS). It involves only 4 steps mentioned above. This number helps the consumer to know the product and express their grievance regarding the product consumed by them.

Read our article:Documents Required for FSSAI Registration