Why Do Cafés Need a Food License?

1. Legal Requirement

According to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, any
business involved in preparing, handling, or selling food must obtain a Food
Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) license or registration.
A café falls under this category, making the license mandatory.

2. Consumer Trust

Displaying an FSSAI license number on your café’s premises and menu builds
credibility. Customers feel more confident knowing the food they consume meets
quality and hygiene standards.

3. Avoiding Penalties

Operating without a valid license can attract heavy penalties or even lead
to the closure of your café. The penalties may range from ₹25,000 to ₹5 lakhs
depending on the violation.

4. Brand Growth and Expansion

If you plan to expand your café into multiple branches, collaborate with
delivery apps like Zomato or Swiggy, or export products (like baked goods or
packaged coffee), an FSSAI license is essential.

Types of Food Licenses for Cafés

Cafés can apply for different types of food licenses depending on turnover,
size, and scope of operations:

1.      Basic
FSSAI Registration

o   
For small cafés with an annual turnover of up
to ₹12 lakhs.

o   
Suitable for startups, home cafés, or kiosks.

o   
Registration is done through Form A.

2.      State
FSSAI License

o   
For medium-sized cafés with turnover between ₹12
lakhs to ₹20 crores.

o   
Required if you operate in one state only.

o   
Registration is done through Form B.

3.      Central
FSSAI License

o   
For cafés with turnover above ₹20 crores
or if operating in multiple states.

o   
Mandatory if you import/export food products or
supply to government institutions.

o   
Registration is also through Form B but
processed at the central level.

Documents Required for Café Food License Registration

Here’s a comprehensive list of documents usually required for FSSAI
registration:

·        
Identity Proof of business
owner (PAN, Aadhaar, Voter ID, Passport).

·        
Address Proof (electricity
bill, rental agreement, property papers).

·        
Business Registration Certificate
(Partnership deed, LLP agreement, or Company incorporation certificate).

·        
Proof of Premises (rent/lease
agreement or property tax receipt).

·        
List of Food Items to be prepared
and served.

·        
NOC from Municipality or Panchayat.

·        
Kitchen Layout and Equipment List.

·        
Food Safety Management System (FSMS)
Plan.

·        
Employee Medical Certificates
(for larger cafés).

·        
Passport-sized photographs of
owners or partners.

Tip: Keep both hard and soft copies of documents ready as the application
is primarily online.

Step-by-Step Process for Food License Registration for a Café

Step 1: Determine License Category

Decide whether your café qualifies for Basic Registration, State
License, or Central License based on turnover and operations.

Step 2: Prepare Documents

Collect all necessary documents like ID, address proof, business
incorporation certificate, and FSMS plan.

Step 3: Apply Online via FoSCoS Portal

·        
Visit the official FoSCoS (Food Safety
Compliance System) website.

·        
Create an account, log in, and fill out Form A
(for registration) or Form B (for license).

·        
Upload the documents and pay the applicable
fees.

Step 4: Verification by FSSAI

The FSSAI department may conduct a physical inspection of your café kitchen,
storage area, and premises to ensure compliance with hygiene and safety
standards.

Step 5: Issuance of License

If approved, you will receive a 14-digit FSSAI license number,
which must be displayed at your café premises and printed on packaging,
invoices, and menus.

Cost of Food License for Cafés

The cost depends on the type of license:

·        
Basic Registration: ₹100–₹500
per year

·        
State License: ₹2,000–₹5,000
per year (varies by state)

·        
Central License: ₹7,500 per
year

Additionally, there may be charges for consultancy, document preparation,
and professional assistance.

Validity and Renewal of Food License

·        
A café food license is valid for 1–5
years, depending on the tenure you choose at the time of registration.

·        
Renewal must be done before the license expires;
late renewal can attract penalties of ₹100 per day.

·        
Always apply for renewal at least 30
days before expiry.

Common Challenges Café Owners Face in Food License Registration

1.      Document
Errors – Missing or incorrect documents often delay approvals.

2.      Category
Confusion – Many café owners mistakenly apply for the wrong license
type.

3.      Delayed
Inspections – Sometimes FSSAI inspections take longer than expected.

4.      Lack
of Awareness – Small café owners often skip registration, risking
penalties.

Solution: Hiring a professional consultant can make the process smoother and
error-free.

Compliance After Getting Food License

Getting a food license is just the beginning. As a café owner, you must
comply with FSSAI regulations such as:

·        
Maintaining hygiene standards
in kitchen, storage, and serving areas.

·        
Employee training on food
safety and handling.

·        
Pest control and waste disposal
management.

·        
Quality testing of ingredients
if you’re into large-scale café operations.

·        
Display of FSSAI license number
prominently at the café.

·        
Annual returns filing for state
and central licenses.

Benefits of Food License for Cafés

1.      Legal
Recognition – Your café is officially recognized as a safe food
business.

2.      Customer
Confidence – Customers trust licensed establishments more.

3.      Business
Expansion – Easy collaboration with aggregators like Swiggy, Zomato,
or online platforms.

4.      Access
to Funding – Banks and investors prefer businesses with legal
compliance.

5.      Competitive
Advantage – Differentiates your café from unlicensed competitors.

Expert Tips for Smooth Café Food License Registration

·        
Start Early: Apply for your
food license as soon as you finalize your café location.

·        
Stay Organized: Keep digital
copies of all documents in one folder for easy uploading.

·        
Choose Validity Wisely: Opt for
a longer validity (3–5 years) to save time and money on renewals.

·        
Hire a Consultant: If you’re
short on time, a consultant can handle the end-to-end process.

·        
Keep Updated: FSSAI regulations
may change—stay updated through the FoSCoS portal.