The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a central regulator of food safety and standards of food items in India. It was established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and its prime function is to protect public health by regulating the manufacturing, storage, sale and import of food. One of the key regulatory requirements is that all food business operators (FBOs), such as processors, producers, transporters, retailers and distributors, shall possess an FSSAI licence.
This official document attests to the adherence of a food business to hygiene, quality, and safety requirements prescribed by the FSSAI. It provides assurance that foods are safe for consumption and are in accordance with the rules of the authority regarding packaging and labelling. All the food chain organisations, ranging from tiny milk producers and street vendors to restaurant chains and milk chilling plants, are required to possess this licence, which is graded according to their capacity, turnover, and size. By making them mandatory, the FSSAI increases the level of consumer confidence, promotes industry transparency, and ensures the consistency of food safety laws in the nation.
What are Milk Chilling Units?
Specialised facilities called milk chilling units quickly chill and store raw milk at low temperatures right after farmers collect it.
Preventing bacterial development, spoilage, and quality deterioration before transport for more processing or distribution is their main goal; therefore, they reduce the milk’s temperature to 4°C or below.
These units have storage tanks, bulk milk refrigerators, and climate control systems. Usually operated by cooperatives, dairy farms, or independent milk collecting firms, milk chilling systems help to maintain the freshness, safety, and shelf life of milk along the dairy supply chain.
Eligibility for FSSAI License Registration
According to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, any individual, firm, cooperative society, dairy plant, or organisation that is engaged in the milk chilling operation, like receiving raw milk, cooling it, and storing it before further processing or distribution, must obtain an FSSAI license.
FSSAI licenses that can be obtained for milk chilling units:
1. FSSAI Registration (Form A):
- For chilling units having a capacity of up to 500 LPD.
- Of up to ₹12 lakh turnover per year.
- Suitable for rural or village-scale small units.
2. State FSSAI License (Form B):
- Relates to milk cooling plants having capacities from 500 LPD to 50,000 LPD.
- Between ₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore turnover each year.
- Suitable for dairies as well as mid-size cooperatives.
3. Central FSSAI License (Form B):
- For units chilling more than 50,000 litres of milk a day.
- For interstate business, export, or import of dairy products and milk.
- It is required by big dairy enterprises and export operations.
Important eligibility conditions:
- Under registration as a Food Business Operator (FBO), the applicant must be a lawfully permitted entity (such as a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLP, private limited company, co-operative society, or trust).
- According to FSSAI regulations, the building must be structurally sound, hygienic, well ventilated, and correctly drained, as well as pest management methods.
Technical Configuration:
- Milk chillers must follow safety and hygiene regulations.
- Temperature control and tracking systems should be implemented.
- Cold milk has to be stored and treated correctly to avoid contamination.
- Employees ought to follow the FSSAI individual hygiene guidelines.
- Environmental Compliance: Ought to follow local laws on waste management, pollution control, and environmental compliance.
Documents Required for FSSAI License Registration for Milk Chilling Units
Every document has to be legible, current, and understandable. During inspection or verification, FSSAI may request more paperwork. Scanned copies of all papers should be submitted when submitting via the FSSAI Food Licensing and Registration System (FLRS) or the FoSCoS portal.
1. Common Documents Required for All Sorts of FSSAI Licenses (Basic, State, and Central)
- Form B, Application Form: Correctly completed and signed.
- Photos, identity, and address proof, Aadhar, PAN, voter identification, are to be provided by the owners, partners, and directors.
- Business premise documentation is required.
- Rental deeds, lease agreements, and property deed documents are mandatory.
- Electricity bills and phone bills can be used as address verification.
- Declare the daily milk quantity in litres in Form IX if applicable.
- A list of machinery and equipment, together with cooling tanks, a compressor, and a storage tank specifications, is required.
- Mark chilling, storage, and handling areas clearly on the layout plan of the property.
- Obtain a water test report from a laboratory recognised by FSSAI or an NABL-accredited laboratory for cleaning or processing.
- Form IX allows assignment of a responsible individual if appropriate.
2. Other Documents for State and Central Licenses
- For businesses, LLPs, cooperatives, or societies, a Certificate of Registration/Incorporation.
- Partnership Deed or Memorandum and Articles of Association (MOA/AOA): if pertinent.
- Import-Export Code (IEC): If appropriate, for companies engaging in import/export activities.
- A letter of authorisation from the nearby civil authority or a NOC is needed.
- Particularly for separating State and Central licenses, an audited balance sheet or affidavit is crucial for turnover proof.
- One must provide a duplicate of the current Trade License or Industry Registration Certificate.
Online Application Process to Obtain FSSAI License for Milk Chilling Units
1. Identify the Proper Kind of License Required
- Milk chilling capacities of up to 500 litres per day need fundamental FSSAI registration.
- Chilling capabilities ranging from 501 to 50,000 litres daily require a State FSSAI License.
- Capacities exceeding 50,000 litres per day, or for interstate trade/export, require a Central FSSAI license.
2. Gather the Paperwork Needed in Step Two
Gather the required papers as formerly indicated: evidence of identity, evidence of property ownership, a layout plan, a list of equipment, and a Food Safety Management System (FSMS) plan. Confirm the accuracy of all information and its distinctness.
3. Finish an Online Application on the FoSCoS Portal
Go to the FSSAI FoSCoS website at https://foscos.fssai.gov.in. Make a login ID and complete either Form A (Basic) or Form B (State/Central). Upload scanned copies of the relevant papers. Remit the licensing fee online.
4. Application Review and Inspection
The FSSAI authority evaluates the submission and could conduct a visit to the milk cooling plant. Evaluations of sanitary conditions, equipment standards, and compliance with food safety rules are part of inspections.
5. License Grant
Depending on the application’s needs, FSSAI issues licenses with validity ranging from 1 to 5 years. The business must prominently display the license number.
Benefits of FSSAI License for Milk Chilling Units
Legally allows food companies to guarantee compliance with India’s food safety criteria through an FSSAI license. It helps milk chilling systems and companies keep cleanliness, quality, and customer trust in check. The license helps business growth, boosts organisational legitimacy, and opens doors to governmental initiatives and financing. Holding an FSSAI license guarantees public health and encourages the sustainable growth of the food sector.
- Legal operating permission: Acquiring an FSSAI licence is required under the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006. Operating inside the specified legal structure shields milk chilling units from legal action in terms of fines, closure, or legal action owing to default, therefore giving them the legal authority to function.
- Guarantees consumer trust and food safety: Milk is a perishable item; handling it carelessly might lead to contamination. Milk chilling units adhering to FSSAI norms guarantee food-grade material use, sanitation, and safety. This builds confidence with buyers, dairy farmers, and consumers.
- Market Access and Company Expansion: Milk chilling units can deal with big dairies, cooperatives, retail stores, and even export markets based on an FSSAI licence. As a condition of enrolling on supply contracts, some customers require evidence of FSSAI licensing.
- Brand Credibility and Competitive Advantage: Purchasing an FSSAI license enhances the reputation and trustworthiness of the milk cooling company. It reflects a commitment to food safety that can assist in meeting alliances and contracts, hence attaining a competitive edge in the market.
- Government Programs and Financial Aid: Government schemes, subsidies, and bank loans are available for licensed milk chilling centres to avail through schemes like PMFME (Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises) and other dairy development schemes.
- Quality Control and Standardisation: A FSSAI license ensures that certain operating, infrastructural, and equipment standards are met. This helps to guarantee consistent product quality, therefore reducing losses brought on by noncompliance or spoilage.
Consequences Of Non-Compliance
Compliance with the FSSAI’s licensing regulations for milk cooling plants may have extremely adverse monetary, public relations, and legal consequences. Operation without a proper FSSAI license is a serious offence under the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006. Penalties for noncompliance with food safety orders can range from monetary penalties up to ₹5 lakh to imprisonment for severe violators. Licenses of illegal units might be cancelled, their operations closed, or their permits revoked.
Moreover, consumers, cooperatives, or export agencies can refuse to accept unlicensed chilling unit items, therefore causing major financial harm. Legal warnings or product recalls, as FSSAI regularly inspects and audits to verify compliance, may result from failure to fulfil hygiene standards, poor labelling, or use of nonfood-grade ingredients. Customer confidence could fall, hence undermining long-run market legitimacy. Noncompliance essentially hurts public health, financial stability, brand reputation, and corporate operations.
Conclusion
It is not only a question of legal compliance but also an important measure to guarantee food safety, quality control, and corporate ethics to get an FSSAI licence for milk chilling machines.
Milk chilling units are the backbone of the dairy supply chain since they store milk refrigerated and free from contamination. Without a valid FSSAI licence, such units risk legal penalties, operational shutdowns, and forfeited market gains.
At last, an FSSAI licence means that a milk chilling unit is dedicated to ensuring consumer health and establishing a sustainable and reputable business in India’s burgeoning dairy sector.
Stressing compliance not only serves the business but also gives the consumer confidence that their milk will be safely distributed.
