Introduction

Operating a home canteen or dabba service is very rewarding venture. But did you know that you can’t operate a home canteen or dabha without a legally acquiring an FSSAI for home canteen and dhaba licenses. This compliance guide goes through the cooking the food from your home to delivering daily meals, what you need to achieve, how to get it and how to comply with the regulations.

WHY FSSAI COMPLIANCE MATTERS FOR HOME-BASED CANTEENS

Your FSSAI for home canteen registration would help you in fending off potential lawsuits, facilitates customer confidence, and serves as a barrier to entry for food delivery services and future expansion.

It’s a lot easier to attract new customers if you find a way to prove that your meals are prepared in a safe and hygienic manner and your services meets - Indian food safety regulations.

FSSAI REGISTRATION VS. LICENSE FOR HOME KITCHENS

1.Basic Registration (For turnover up to ₹12 lakh/year)

Government fee: ₹100 per year

2.State License (For turnover between ₹12 lakh – ₹20 crore/year)

Government fee: ₹2,000 – ₹5,000 per year (varies by product category)
Non-manufacturing businesses (traders, transporters, etc.): ₹2,000 per year
Manufacturing/processing units: ₹3,000 – ₹5,000 per year (based on capacity/product type)

3.Central License (For turnover above ₹20 crore/year or businesses operating in multiple states/import/export)

Government fee: ₹7,500 per year

Smaller home-based businesses usually require no more than FSSAI license for home kitchens. However, businesses that are larger or growing in size are required to apply for a dhaba/ FSSAI for home canteen.

ELIGIBILITY AND DOCUMENTATION FOR SMALL-SCALE HOME-BASED CANTEENS

You should currently have the following in order to apply for FSSAI for home canteen.

Functioning home kitchen
Clean and sanitary surrounding adequate in potable water, waste disposal and sanitary facilities
Proof of proper identification and premises
Clean and sanitized waste disposal facilities
Documented tiffin menu or list of prepared meals

As required, the annual turnover can be maintained within the allowed parameters

Required Documentation

Address or premises verification document
Passport-sized photo
Aadhaar card or any form of identification
Food menu or list
Form A for registration or Form B for the license
NOC or required municipal permission

STEP-BY-STEP: HOW TO APPLY FOR FSSAI REGISTRATION OR LICENSE

1.Establish turnover: Registration for less than ₹12 lakh, and license for more than.

2.Make a FoSCoS account.

3.Select License and Registration: Form B for the license and Form A for the registration.

4.Complete the Form: Pay the fee, and upload the required documentation.

5.Complete payment of the fee and other costs.

6.Wait for the FSSAI Certificate: This can be a period of confirmation or inspection, which is required.

Getting started with an FSSAI license for home kitchens is that easy.

HOME KITCHEN STANDARDS: HYGIENE, FOOD HANDLING, AND DELIVERY

The compliance for FSSAI for home canteen operations and the hygiene and safety measures that need to be observed include the following:

The kitchen needs to be clean
Hands need to be washed and gloves+hairnets must be on
Raw and cooked food need to be kept in separate containers
Only potable water should be used
Food must be packed in food-grade containers
Delivery containers must be cleaned on a daily basis
Pest control must be observed and waste must be disposed properly

CLAIMS, NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION, AND LABELING REQUIREMENTS

When it comes to the labeling for your tiffin boxes or other food items, the following must be done:

State the FSSAI license or registration number
State the food name and quantity together with the ingredients and the “best before” date
Do not make claims such as “100 percent organic” that you cannot substantiate
If the item is pre-packed, you must state the required nutritional information
You need to pay attention to the labeling rules even with the FSSAI home kitchen license.

FEES, VALIDITY, AND RENEWAL TIMELINES

You can pay your dues to avoid any penalties that arise from failure to renew the FSSAI for home canteen license or registration.

COMMON VIOLATIONS IN HOME-BASED CATERING AND HOW TO AVOID THEM

Operating without any FSSAI for home canteen approval
Using unsafe water and unclean kitchen
Selling expired food
Using misleading packaging and claims
Letting license renewal lapse
Having untrained food handlers
All the points above can ensure a food business built on food safety and trust.

AUDITS, INSPECTIONS, AND HOW TO PREPARE

Foster smart kitchen rules
Maintain water testing schedules and cleaning reports
FSSAI number on food packaging
Proper training to all helpers and onsite staff
To document any planned
Aid officials during no-notice checks
Home kitchen inspections also can happen during FSSAI license for home kitchens.

COMPLIANCE CHECKLISTS AND BEST PRACTICES

Daily:

Clean kitchen surfaces
Wash hands before cooking
Check for expired ingredients

Weekly:

Deep clean kitchen
Check for pests
Clean delivery boxes and tools

Monthly:

Review hygiene log
Check water supply quality
Update food safety records

Following these steps helps maintain your dhaba/home canteen license FSSAI easily.

FINAL THOUGHTS

If you are running a Tiffin service, dabba delivery, or small home kitchen, you must appreciate the need of having FSSAI for home canteen registration or dhaba/home canteen license FSSAI. It also allows you the opportunity to lawfully grow your business and therefore, avoid penalties. At Lawfinity, we assist small and home-centered food enterprises in achieving their compliance objectives. To simplify registration and renewal processes, contact our specialists without hesitation.