Every food business operator must ensure the protection of human life, health, and consumer interests, maintaining fair practices in all food-related activities. Selling, storing, or distributing unsafe food is strictly prohibited. If any food in a consignment is found unsafe, all foods in that consignment are presumed unsafe. The manufacturer or packer is held liable for the entire consignment, and the seller is also responsible if they sell expired, improperly stored, misbranded, or inadequately labelled food.
No person is allowed to initiate or conduct any food business without an FSSAI license. Those wishing to start a food business must submit an application through Solubilis to the designated authority in the prescribed format and along with the required fees. A single license may cover one or more products and multiple establishments or premises in the same area. Separate licenses are needed if food is sold, stored, or manufactured in different premises.
The designated officer has the authority to issue or cancel online FSSAI licenses for food business operators. According to the act, if a license is not issued within two months, the applicant can commence their food business after the expiry of the said period.