Central FSSAI License for Nutraceuticals and Health & Food Supplements Business

In a landmark decision facilitated by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the regulation of the nutraceuticals and health supplements sector is bound to change for the better. This order brings all food business operators engaged in the enhancement of such food products under Central Licensing Authorities irrespective of their turnover.

As an entrepreneur or business owner in this dynamic sector, the consequences of this change and the actions you must take should be well understood. This article will explain the most important aspects of the Central FSSAI License for Nutraceuticals and Health Supplements Business allowing you to wade through several regulatory requirements with ease.

The New FSSAI Registration and Central Licensing

Over the past few weeks, it has become apparent that the FSSAI is actively working towards modifying and standardizing the licensing of individuals or firms working in the nutraceuticals and health supplements manufacturing industry. This was formerly the production-based licensing approach whereby state-based regulatory bodies managed concerns with a production capacity of 2 metric tons per day and the central authority production of others.

Nonetheless, the new directive provides that all previously licensed entities involved in the manufacturing of food supplements and nutraceuticals in the state must migrate into the Central FSSAI License by the 31st day of December 2021. Additionally, after 1st January 2022, such products’ state licenses will not be renewed in the future.

This corresponds with the FSSAI’s functional “Nutraceuticals Regulations,”. It entails a wide range of functional foods including health supplements, nutraceuticals and foods of novel ingredients, formulated through production and labelling standards.

The Central FSSAI License: Streamlining the Process

The movement from the state licensing to the Central Assist FSSAI License for businesses has great prospects. Centralization of the licensing authority with the FSSAI, the controlling authority, was in line to improve control of the market, within the trade.

For an applicant to obtain the Central FSSAI License, the process is not complex. This includes requesting the change of the existing state license into the central license and submission of all the required documents and administrative costs. The notification has already been made by FSSAI to assist the food business in an orderly transition process.

More importantly, the Central FSSAI License in India option is available only to those who manufacture products published in FSSAI Licensing under “Nutraceuticals Regulations”. This covers a lot of food useful categories such as:

1. Health Supplements
2. Nutraceuticals
3. Food for Special Dietary Use
4. Food for Special Medical Purpose
5. Specialty food containing plant or botanicals
6. Foods Containing Probiotics
7. Foods Containing Prebiotics
8. Novel Foods

Understanding the Nutraceuticals and Health Supplements

Before getting into the Central FSSAI License in India, it is important to understand the basic notions of nutraceuticals and health supplements.

Nutraceuticals are products which can be described as food on one side yet have similar usages with drugs on the other side. They are said to have physiological health benefits. Likewise, nutritional supplements are defined as products capable of deep concentrations of one or more nutrients or body-originated substances which has known nutritional or positive physiological performance effects.

The FSSAI's "Nutraceuticals Regulations" provide a comprehensive framework for the production, labelling, and sale of these specialized food items, ensuring quality, safety, and compliance.

The Transition to the Central FSSAI License

In the case of food businesses engaged in the manufacture of nutraceuticals and health supplements, which are state-licensed at present, the Central FSSAI License transition is important and urgent because there is a deadline. Hence by the end of the year 2021, these enterprises must finalize the amendment procedure to relocate the licensing of the business because the licensing authority is shifting from state to central.

The FSSAI has outlined a clear procedure for this transition. This procedure includes submitting the necessary documents and paying the required fees. You must note that the fee structure for the FSSIA License in India may differ from the previous state-level licenses. As a business, you should be prepared to pay different amounts for the remaining validity for your existing licenses.

Seeking the Expertise of an FSSAI Registration Consultant

Complying with statutory provisions is never easy when you are starting a new business with the new nutraceuticals and health supplements industry changes. In these events, it can be very useful to have the services of an FSSAI Registration Consultant.

The FSSAI Registration Consultant have deeper knowledge of the FSSAI policies and they are updated with Recent Central FSSAI License changes. They will help you with the application process, and assist you transfer from state to central license.

Conclusion

The FSSAI's decision to place all food businesses manufacturing nutraceuticals and health supplements under the purview of Central Licensing Authorities represents a significant shift in the regulatory landscape. As an entrepreneur or business owner in this dynamic sector, it's crucial to stay informed and proactive in adapting to these changes.

By understanding the nuances of the Central FSSAI License, complying with the Nutraceuticals Regulations, and seeking the expertise of FSSAI registration consultants, you can position your business for long-term success. Embrace this transition as an opportunity to strengthen your operations, ensure product quality, and unlock new growth potential in the ever-evolving world of nutraceuticals and health supplements.