Does an Industrial Canteen need FSSAI license?

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) plays a crucial role in making sure the food you consume is safe, hygienic, and meets quality standards. This not only applies to restaurants and food outlets but also to industrial canteens that serve meals to employees in factories, offices, and large institutions.

Since these canteens handle food for a large number of people every day, maintaining the food quality and safety is necessary. FSSAI registration ensures that the canteen follows the necessary hygiene practices, legal standards, and responsible food handling. In this article, you will learn about the FSSAI certificate and whether the industrial canteen needs one.

What is an Industrial Canteen?

An industrial canteen is a food service facility set up within a factory, manufacturing unit, or large corporate office to provide meals and refreshments to workers and employees during work hours. These canteens are usually run by the company itself or outsourced to a catering agency. Their main purpose is to ensure that employees have access to nutritious, hygienic, and affordable food without leaving the workplace.

Industrial canteens are commonly found in factories, government institutions, hospitals, IT parks, railways, defense units, and large office campuses. In some sectors like manufacturing, running a canteen is also a statutory requirement under the Factories Act, 1948, especially if the number of workers exceeds a specified limit.

Since these canteens serve food to a large group of people every day, they are considered food business operators (FBOs) under the FSSAI guidelines. This makes it mandatory for them to follow food safety norms and get a valid FSSAI registration or license, which depends on the scale of operation.

Is an FSSAI Mandatory for Industrial Canteens?

Yes, obtaining an FSSAI is mandatory for industrial canteens in India. Whether a canteen is operated inside a factory, PSU, hospital, or corporate office, it is considered an FBO under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

It doesn’t matter if the food is sold for a price or served as part of employee welfare. The nature of food handling remains the same, which makes hygiene, safety, and quality essential. This is where the FSSAI license plays an important role. It ensures that the canteen follows the prescribed standards for cleanliness, storage, cooking practices, and food safety audits.

FSSAI licenses are issued based on the size and scale of the operation. For small-scale canteens, a basic registration may be enough, while larger canteens or those with high turnover may require a state or central license. Ensuring compliance not only avoids legal penalties but also builds trust among employees who rely on the canteen for daily meals.

Steps to Get an FSSAI Certificate for Industrial Canteen

Getting an FSSAI license for your industrial canteen is a simple but important step to ensure food safety and legal compliance. The following details include the process to get an FSSAI for an industrial canteen:

Step 1: Determine the Type of License

Identify whether your canteen needs a Basic Registration, State License, or Central License:

• Basic Registration: For annual business turnover up to Rs. 12 lakh
• State License: For business turnover between Rs. 12 lakhs and Rs. 20 crore
• Central License: For business turnover above Rs. 20 crore or operating in multiple states/ seaports/ airports.

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

• Collect all the relevant documents needed for filing an FSSAI, such as the photo ID and address proof of owner, proof of premises, food safety management plan, canteen layout plan, and NOC from employer or factory.

Step 3: Apply Online via FoSCoS FSSAI Portal

Go to the official FoSCoS FSSAI (Food Safety Compliance System) portal:

• Register your business and fill out the application with Form A or B, depending on the type of license. Upload documents and pay the required fees.

Step 4: Inspection and Approval

• Once you have submitted the application, FSSAI authorities may inspect the canteen to check hygiene and food safety practices.

Step 5: Get Your License

• If everything is in order, your FSSAI license will be issued within 7–30 working days. Make sure to always display it clearly in your canteen.

Documents Required for an Industrial Canteen

Here is the list of documents needed for different types of FSSAI:

Documents Required for Basic FSSAI Registration

• Photo ID proof of the food business owner, such as Aadhaar, Voter ID, or PAN
• A passport-sized photograph of the owner
• Address proof of the business premises, such as rent agreement or electricity bill
• Details of the food items being served
• Declaration Form A

Documents Required for State FSSAI License

All documents required for basic registration along with the below-mentioned documents:

• Form B duly completed and signed
• Blueprint or layout of the canteen premises
• Proof of business turnover, like a balance sheet
• List of food products to be served
• NOC from local authority or employer if inside a factory or office
• Food Safety Management System (FSMS) plan
• Identity and address proof of partners or directors
• Proof of ownership or tenancy

Documents Required for Central FSSAI License

All documents required under State License along with the below-mentioned documents:

• Import export code if applicable
• NOC from the Ministry of Commerce if required
• Certificate of incorporation
• Water testing report from an NABL-accredited lab
• Authority letter with the name and address of the responsible person

Why Is an FSSAI Certificate Important for an Industrial Canteen?

If you run an industrial canteen, you must get an FSSAI certificate, and not only for legal requirements. It is a smart way to build trust and run a safe professional food service. Let us discuss why it is important to get an FSSAI certificate for an industrial canteen:

• Legal Requirement: The FSSAI has made it compulsory to have a register or get a license for all food-related businesses under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. This includes the industrial canteen as without the certificate your canteen could face penalties or even be shut down.
• Builds Trust and Credibility: An FSSAI certificate shows that your canteen uses safe ingredients, follows hygiene standards, and operates responsibly. Employees and workers who eat daily from the canteen will feel safer and more confident when they know the food is FSSAI certified.
• Improves Food Quality and Hygiene: Your canteen must follow certain food safety practices to get the certificate. This will encourage clean kitchens and storage areas, proper handling and preparation of food, and safe packaging and serving methods. The certificate will help you maintain food and hygiene standards consistently.
• Boosts Brand Image: Even if your canteen is part of a large company, having an FSSAI certificate will show your commitment to employee welfare. It gives your brand a professional edge and makes your canteen stand out in inspections and audits.
• Allows Business Expansion: If you ever want to expand your canteen, such as supplying to nearby offices or opening more canteens, you will need an FSSAI license. It will help you grow legally and smoothly without any hassle.
• Avoids Legal Trouble: Under Section 63 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, running an industrial canteen without an FSSAI certificate can result in fines that can go up to Rs. 5 lakhs and imprisonment.

Penalties for Non-Compliance by Industrial Canteens

Every industrial canteen that prepares and serves food, whether it's free for employees or sold to them, must follow the food safety laws under the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSS Act), 2006. If these rules are ignored, the canteen can face serious consequences.

Not having an FSSAI license is considered a legal offense. According to Section 63 of the FSS Act, anyone running a food business without a valid license can be fined up to Rs. 5 lakhs and may even face imprisonment for up to 6 months.

Some other penalties include:

• Rs.1 lakh fine for serving low-quality or substandard food under Section 51.
• Rs. 5 lakhs fine for unhygienic food handling or poor kitchen conditions under Section 56.
• Rs. 10 lakhs fine for false advertising or misleading food claims under Section 53.

According to Section 59, if an unsafe food leads to illness or injury, the punishment can include both a fine and jail time, which depends on the harm caused to the victim. Repeated non-compliance may also lead to suspension or cancellation of the FSSAI license, which can force the canteen to shut down temporarily or permanently. This is why canteens must maintain proper hygiene, keep records, renew their licenses on time, and follow food safety norms.

Getting an FSSAI certificate for an industrial canteen is not only about following rules but also about caring for the people you serve. It ensures that the food you are serving is safe, clean, and prepared under proper hygiene standards. An FSSAI certificate also protects your business from any kind of legal trouble and builds a reputation of trust and responsibility.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a big or small industrial canteen, all of them need to get an FSSAI certificate/license to meet the legal requirements. This article provided you with a detailed explanation of getting an FSSAI certificate/license for an industrial canteen. Contact Online Legal India to get assistance from professional experts in filing an FSSAI for your industrial canteen.