+Getting HACCP and FSSAI certification is important for food companies to achieve food compliance and food safety standards in India. A food consultant or food technologist can make this easier by providing you with the guidance you require for documentation, audits and system execution. They also know whether your food business activities meet national and international regulations.
Introduction
The two important pre-requisites certifications to legally operate a food business in India are: FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) & HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) certifications. Both certificates protect food safety and develop consumer confidence and make your business exports ready. However, it is not a simple task to get certified. There are food compliance protocols to adhere to, documentation process to consider and inspections to undergo. A food consultant or food technologist will be your best friend in this situation. With their technical experience, commercial knowledge and their understanding of the compliance environment, they can help guide your certification process and reduce the potential for delays that may end up being costly.
What is FSSAI Certification?
FSSAI is India’s top regulatory body for regulating food enterprises and enforcing food safety standards, mandatory for food enterprises to manufacture, process, pack, distribute, and sell. Any food enterprise irrespective of their food items is mandatory to have an FSSAI license.
There are three types of FSSAI licenses based on the size of business:
• Basic Registration – for small food businesses (turnover < 12 lakh/year)
• State License – for medium-sized businesses (turnover 12 lakh – 20 crore)
• Central License – for large-sized businesses, and for export/import businesses.
To obtain an FSSAI license, food businesses must complete the following steps:
-Register their business
-Complete Form B
-Provide the layout of the premises and plan for equipment
-Provide a list of food products
-Provide a plan for a food safety management system
-Provide a declaration and affidavits.
A food consultant can assist you in gathering and preparing the documentation and can also identify the appropriate ‘category’ of registrations or licenses and submit the documents with no errors.
What is HACCP Certification?
Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) is a food safety management system that is recognized internationally, where hazards are identified and evaluated, and controlled. HACCP systems are not a legal requirement in India for all businesses, but ideally, HACCP is for businesses that want:
-Maintain greater levels of food safety
-Enhance their export opportunities
-Comply to global standards (in particular European, USA, and Gulf standards).
The steps involved with HACCP are:
-Hazard analysis
-Identifying critical control points (CCP)
-Establish monitoring procedures
-Maintain documentation and verification systems
A food technologist has been trained to deal with the technical aspects of HACCP and are able to visit your facility, assess the facility, help you implement preventative measures, train your staff, and prepare a SOP’s and manuals to suit your operations.
Why Work with a Food Consultant?
Here’s how a food consultant or food technologist can ease your certification process:
1. Gap Analysis
They will conduct an audit of your current systems to identify any deficiencies that would need to be addressed to be HACCP or FSSAI compliant.
2. Customized Documentation
The food consultant will prepare customized documentation, including hazard plans and SOPs, that are tailored to your business processes while allowing for compliance.
3. Support with Implementation
Not only will they support you in implementing necessary changes to your infrastructure but also meaningful hygiene practices, staff training, and sanitation practices essential for sustaining certification.
4. Preparing for Audit
Your food consultant will prepare your team and assist you with preparing for both internal and external audits to ensure you have minimized opportunities of non-conformance.
5. Compliance Support Post-certification
Food consultants can support with your annual renewals, upgrades, and continuous improvements of your food compliance standard.
Conclusion
Whether you are starting a new food business or scaling your existing food business, achieving food safety through HACCP and FSSAI certification should not be an option but a requirement. Using a food consultant or food technologist with experience in compliance will provide you with a time-efficient and less stressful way to make sure you achieve food compliance from day one.
Investing in support is not just about achieving legislation compliance – it is about ensuring the food compliance of your brand, protecting your customers, and ultimately your future in food.
FAQs
- Why do I need help of food consultant for both FSSAI and HACCP certification?
A food consultant helps you understand complex regulatory requirements, prepare appropriate documentation and they will provide steps for an audit, all to have complete food compliance to achieve a smooth and quick certification.
- How does a food technologist make a difference in helping me achieve food safety standards?
A food technologist uses their scientific and technical expertise to improve hygiene, identify hazards and implement the necessary food safety procedures (as needed for HACCP and FSSAI compliance obligated).
- Is HACCP obligatory for food businesses in India?
HACCP is inconsistent for all businesses under Indian law, as it is not obligatory, but many businesses involved in exports, large manufacturers and businesses wanting to demonstrate advanced food safety systems have access directly to HACCP standards recommended.
- What is the full process for obtaining FSSAI certification?
After you select the right licensing type, you will:
Fill out the documents: i.e. Form B, layout of the facility, list of products or food types, plan for food safety management, after this fill out all obligations for food compliance inspection.
