Introduction

Dairy products and milk are an integral part of India's food basket, but they are very perishable and susceptible to contamination. To ensure safety, units that process, store, or distribute milk products shall comply with the FSSAI regulations. Acquiring a valid milk product license not only satisfies statutory requirements but also ensures consumer trust. Renewal of an FSSAI for milk products license guarantees ongoing compliance, while possessing a valid milk product license emphasizes quality and regulatory protection for companies.

WHY FSSAI COMPLIANCE MATTERS FOR MILK PRODUCTS

1. Consumer Safety: FSSAI regulations ensure the cleanliness and safety of milk and its products, and also test standards of Milk and its products it also safeguards the health of the public

2. Legal Requirement: Without a license for any unit of milk deal, according to the Food Safety Standards Act 2006, it is offense and punishable.

3. Market Access and Branding: For improving consumer confidence and brand image, you must have valid FSSAI license for the Manufacturing of any milk products

4. Revised Regulations: FSSAI keeps modifying standards, especially on labeling, analogues, and sanitation in dairy manufacturing. Remaining compliant prevents units from facing abrupt non-compliance dangers

FSSAI REGISTRATION VS. LICENSE FOR DAIRY PRODUCTS

Not all milk product companies require the same kind of permission. FSSAI segregates by turnover and size:

Basic Registration: It is for the vendor who has a small business whose turnover up to Rs.12 lakhs per year.
State License: It is for the medium-sized units whose turnover is between Rs.12 lakh and Rs.20 crores.
Central License: It is for the big dairy units whose turnover is between excess of Rs 20 crores.

Therefore, "FSSAI for milk products" may either be a license or registration, depending on the size and range of the unit.

ELIGIBILITY AND DOCUMENTATION FOR MILK PRODUCT FACILITIES

Prior to application, units are required to ensure eligibility and prepare documents.

Eligibility:

Nature of activity (chilling, pasteurization, value-added processing such as butter, cheese, yogurt, etc.).
Scale and turnover.
Daily volume of milk or milk solids handled.
Whether the business trades interstate or exports.

Documents Required:

Proof of identity and address of proprietor/partners/directors.
Business registration certificate (company/partnership/firm).
Premises layout and machinery details.
Water quality testing report.
List of products with description of process.
Food safety management plan or declaration.
Proof of ownership of premises (rent/lease/ownership).
NOC from local authorities when necessary.

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

1. Evaluate the Category: Determine whether you require basic registration, a state license, or a central license.

2. Online Application: Go to the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal.

3. Choose Form:

Form A – for basic registration.
Form B – for state or central license.

4. Enter Details: Business name, address, type of milk product activity, turnover, and list of products.

5. Upload Documents: Include identity proofs, layout, machinery details, and other compulsory documents.

6. Fee Payment: Pay the relevant government fee online.

7. Inspection: The premises can be inspected by authorities before issuing approval.

8. Grant of License: Upon verification, FSSAI provides a milk product license or registration certificate for 1–5 years.

PRODUCT-SPECIFIC STANDARDS: LABELING, PACKAGING, AND SAFETY

Labelling:

Express product name (milk, cheese, butter, ghee, yogurt, etc.) clearly.
State ingredients, nutritional value, net quantity, batch number, manufacturing/expiry date.
Show allergen information and fat/moisture content where necessary.
Prevent misleading use of dairy terms for non-dairy alternatives.

Packaging:

Use food-grade, non-toxic material.
Provide airtight sealing to avoid contamination.
Labels should be durable and readable.
Safety Standards:
Regulate cold chain from collection to distribution.
Test products for microbial and chemical safety.
Enforce employee hygiene and sanitation measures.

FEES, VALIDITY, AND RENEWAL TIMELINES

Fees:

Nominal fees for basic registration.
STATE AND CENTRAL LICENSES are charged more depending on scale and category.

Validity:

FSSAI licenses are issued between 1 to 5 years, depending on the period selected at the time of application.

Renewal:

Apply at least 30 days prior to expiry.
Delayed applications incur penalties (e.g., ₹100 per day).
If the license lapses, the unit has to shut down until the renewal.

COMMON VIOLATIONS IN MILK PRODUCT MANUFACTURING AND HOW TO AVOID THEM

Employment of non-potable water in processing.
Inadequate maintenance of refrigeration or cold storage.
Misbranding products or not declaring ingredients appropriately.
Employing unsafe packaging materials.
Disregard of hygiene standards for premises and workers.

Avoidance of these guarantees smooth audits and consumer protection.

AUDITS, INSPECTIONS, AND HOW TO PREPARE

Keep the premises clean, free of pests, and well-ventilated.
Have records: water tests, product test reports, cleaning schedules, and employee training logs.
You must ensure that staff adhere to hygiene standards (protective equipment, hand washing, etc.).
Be ready for sample taking and analysis during inspections.
Meet any non-compliance directly so that suspension or cancellation of license can be avoided.

COMPLIANCE CHECKLISTS AND BEST PRACTICES

Determine proper license category according to turnover and activities.
Keep current documents handy.
Have clean premises and safe hardware.
Adhere to the packaging and labeling guidelines strictly.
Provide regular training to employees on hygiene and safety.
Renewal should be applied in time.
Track FSSAI notifications regarding dairy standards and adopt them in advance.