Across sectors, quality standards are employed to certify items. Food product licencing is controlled by regulations such as the Food Safety & Standards Act of 2006, among others. These guarantees that we are consuming high-quality, unadulterated goods. The most modern food safety regulations are the FSSAI licence and AGMARK.

The changing environment in the country caused several changes in food safety standards, and converting them into each act took a lengthy period, multiple resources, and a significant amount of effort. The remedy was the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006, which consolidated all prior statutes dealing with food under one roof. This reorganisation makes it much simpler for customers to keep track of standards and safeguard the country's food quality.

What is FSSAI License?
 

FSSAI or The Food Safety & Standards Authority of India is an independent government authority that was established in 2008 in accordance with the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006. This organisation's major goal is to control & supervise the quality of the food industry in India in order to assure the safety of food consumed inside the country. It validates and offers a foundation or standard for all food items, ensuring that they are sanitary and safe for ingestion.

The FSSAI certification operates in the same manner as a checkpoint does to ensure that the food is safe to consume. To operate in India, every food or food processing firm, including cold storage, production, distribution, and even packaging, must follow FSSAI licence process requirements and have a valid FSSAI licence.

What is AGMARK?
 

AGMARK is a quality certificate that designates a product as pure and of the required quality as established by a regulatory organisation. It works as a guarantor for agricultural goods used in India. The intrinsic merit of an agricultural item determines its quality, and these standards are developed with international rules and specifications in mind to ensure compliance with WTO regulations.

Functions of FSSAI

• Establish rules for certifying entities and oversee the certification system.
• Create regulations outlining the certification of food testing facilities.
• Provide technical assistance & advice to the government on food safety regulations.
• Gather information on food consumption, health risks, pollutants, and potential biological threats.
• Create a method for informing individuals about these dangers.
• Provide training for those working in the food industry.
• Increase food safety awareness.

Eligible Products of AGMARK

• Pulses
• Spices that are whole
• Oils derived from plants
• Products made from wheat
• Milk and milk products
• Honey
• Rice
• Sago tapioca
• Tamarind without seeds
• Gram flour.

Importance of FSSAI Licence Registration

• FSSAI licence Registration allows you to legally obey the norms and regulations of the government.
• By registering with the FSSAI, you can avoid penalties and sanctions.
• Acquiring an FSSAI Registration Certificate might help you build trust and reputation in the business.
• The FSSAI Registration logo on your food goods & the registration certificate on your company premises assists to build your company's brand image.
• When you export food, putting the FSSAI emblem on it helps your company gain the trust of abroad clients.

Importance of AGMARK Registration
 

• Feeling secure in the knowledge that your agricultural goods are legal.
• Products from agriculture can be exported to other nations.
• Businesses that sell AGMARK-certified products can benefit from a number of government initiatives and incentives.

Difference Between FSSAI Registration and AGMARK
 

There are some major differences between FSSAI Registration and AGMARK. The differences are as follows:

• The fundamental distinction between an AGMARK and an FSSAI licence is that the former is a certification and the latter is a government agency. AGMARK is an inspection stamp issued for the quality of agricultural products, whereas FSSAI Licencing applies to all food items, agricultural or non-agricultural. It comprises not only the Quality Standards of Food Products, but also all other operations such as production, preservation, re-labelling, import or export, sales, and food safety.
   
• FSSAI and AGMARK are governed by two independent pieces of legislation. FSSAI was formed by the Food Safety and Standard Act of 2006, whereas AGMARK is governed by the Agriculture Produce (Grading & Marking) Act of India, 1937. (amended in 1986).
   
• AGMARK certification is given to agricultural goods after they have undergone several tests such as chemical analysis, microbiological analysis, pesticide residual content, & aflatoxin analysis (for products like Ghee, spices, Honey, etc.). These tests/analyses are carried out at a number of state-owned laboratories. Regional Laboratories are also located in 11 nodal cities. The Central AGMARK Laboratory, on the other hand, is in Nagpur. However, it should be remembered that AGMARK is only granted for the Product. AGMARK accreditation now covers 213 agricultural goods.
   
• In the case of an AGMARK Certification, allotment is based on numerous analyses, but in the case of FSSAI, allotment is based on turnover and activity.
   
• In terms of scope, the current AGMARK standard includes quality recommendations for 205 distinct commodities, whereas FSSAI covers all food items and has some criteria in place.

The FSSAI licence is granted based on turnover & activity for a specific establishment. For example, although operating under the same brand name, each branch of X Canteen is needed to have its own FSSAI Licence. FSSAI has three types of licences: basic, state, and central.

Understanding the Concept of FSSAI Licence & AGMARK Certification
 

• The Food Safety & Standards Authority is abbreviated as FSSAI. It is an independent authority established in 2008 under the Food Safety & Standards Act of 2006 to oversee the safety & quality of food businesses in India. Its major goal is to certify or offer a foundation for all food items while also ensuring that the food products are safe for ingestion. The FSSAI Licence serves as a checkpoint or acid test, determining if the food product meets the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare's food standards. An FSSAI licence process is required for every firm that stores, manufactures, distributes, packages, relabels, imports, or exports food products.
   
• AGMARK is an abbreviation for Agricultural Mark, which is a certification granted by The Directorate of Marketing & Inspection for all agricultural products. AGMARK is a passing mark awarded by The Directorate of Marketing & Inspection to agricultural products that pass the requisite grading and certification tests. People frequently mistake FSSAI Licence & AGMARK (FSSAI Licence vs AGMARK) and believe they are the same thing. However, they are not the same, and there's a distinction between them.
   
• The FSSAI Authority conducts a variety of duties, including creating rules governing food standards, establishing procedures and guidelines for laboratory accreditation, and so on. The Directorate of Marketing & Inspection for Agricultural Produce ensures the product's quality and purity, as well as setting quality standards for agricultural commodities.

AGMARK Registration Process
 

• To get the relevant application form, the individual/company may visit the website https://dmi.gov.in or the nearest office of the Directorate of Marketing & Inspection (DMI). Form A is used to apply for a Certificate of Authorisation for Grading & Marking of Commodities for the Domestic Market.
   
• The appropriate documentation, as well as the prescribed application fee, must be affixed to & have with the concerned application form, depending on the type of commodity for which the application is being made. The registration cost must be given in the form of a demand draught and will vary based on numerous independent variable criteria as indicated in the forms and annexures, such as grading charges, processing fees, and so on.
   
• To be eligible for Agmark grading and certification of a notified commodity:
   
• The individual must have the required infrastructure in place to process the item.
   
• The individual must have access to or own a laboratory that is approved for grading.
  
  Only if these prerequisites are satisfied may the individual apply to the DMI office for a Certificate of Authorisation, which will be provided once the verification procedure is completed, which usually takes thirty-forty days (approx).
   
• If the individual is permitted access to an Agmark-approved laboratory, the consent letter from the laboratory must also be provided in Form A-3.
   
• A certified Chemist will test the raw material & the processed commodity prior to putting the commodity in containers.
   
• The DMI's field officers will perform regular inspections on the product graded & certified by correlating samples from the packer's premises with those in the market.
   
• Form A-4 can be used to renew the Certificate of Authorisation for Rs. 5000.

FSSAI Licence Registration Process
 

The FSSAI Licence process involves the following steps:

• FBOs can receive FSSAI registration online by completing and submitting Form A (application for basic Registration) or Form B (application for Central and State Licence) on the FoSCoS site. Offline registration is also possible for FBOs by submitting Form A or Form B to the Food & Safety Department.
   
• The relevant documentation must be submitted with the FSSAI registration form. The papers must be posted electronically on the FoSCos site at the time of application submission or physically provided to the Food & Safety Department together with the application.
   
• The Department has seven days from the issue of the receipt of an application, either physically or electronically through the FoSCoS site, to approve or reject the FSSAI registration form. If the application is refused, the applicant must be notified in writing.
   
• The papers provided will be reviewed by the Department.
   
• If required, the Department may undertake an examination of the food facilities before issuing the FSSAI registration certificate.
   
• If the Department decides that the FBO fits all of the specified needs, it will grant an FSSAI certificate with the registration number & the applicant's email ID photo. Connecting to the FoSCoS portal allows the applicant to get the FSSAI registration certificate.
   
• During business hours, the FSSAI registration certificate shall be conspicuously displayed at the FBO.

Conclusion

There is no scarcity of certificates in our country. There are several Acts that are legally obligatory on company owners; two of the most important ones pertaining to food are FSSAI & AGMARK. Food regulations are extremely significant since they regulate one of the most crucial areas - health and cleanliness. However, government institutions must guarantee that laws are effectively implemented. You should have guessed by now that both of these criteria are intended to ensure excellent health and hygiene.

Online legal India provides a comprehensive food licencing and FSSAI registration service. Our overarching goal is to get your food company up and running as fast as feasible and as easily as possible. Speak with one of our specialists to learn more.