Every food business owner including a petty vendor/ hawker needs to obtain a Food license from FSSAI. FSSAI stands for the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
It is not legal for street vendors in India to operate without a license or proper permits, and those who do so may be subject to fines or other legal penalties.
What documents are necessarily required for the Clean Street Food Hub certification? A copy of valid FSSAI registration/license of all the vendors in the hub, FoSTaC trained food safety supervisors certificates are some of the important documents required for the certification purpose.
Street food vendor must have registration or license from Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) before starting their business. The certificate of registration and Food Safety and Display Board (FSDB) issued by the Food Authority shall be displayed on the kiosks/carts.
Short Film on Food Safety Requirements for Street Food Vendors
Do I need a license to sell homemade food in India?
All businesses involved in selling homemade foods must register with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) or obtain basic FSSAI registration. If your annual revenue exceeds Rs. 12 Lakh, you are required to obtain an FSSAI Licence.
The Constitution of India also contains provisions for the protection of street vendors in India. Article 14 of the Constitution deals with equality before the law and thus even the vendors possess the right just like any other persons and they will be protected by the law of the country without any discrimination.
Infrastructure cost : very low cost of infrastructure as most of the shops are build on the road side with temporary structures eg bamboo tin covered with polythene sheets etc. Government: cost of establishment is almost nil : No gst and other government hassels nil food license etc.
Don't be horrified if a vendor tosses a partially cooked item back into a wok of hot oil. Food that is heated to high temperatures kills bacteria, so fried food is an excellent choice if you are in any doubt. The basic rule is to eat hot, cooked food and you should be safe.
A hawker is a vendor of merchandise that can be easily transported; the term is roughly synonymous with costermonger or peddler. In most places where the term is used, a hawker sells inexpensive goods, handicrafts, or food items.
Anyone in India requires a basic FSSAI registration to sell homemade food for upto 12 lakh per annum in revenue. You can get one through the government portal here: https://foodlicensing.fssai.gov.in. This can take upto a month though. If you like to get it faster, we recommend doing it via an agency.
Some Indian federations of traders have opposed the law, arguing that street vendors are able to supply goods and services at a cheaper rate because they don't pay taxes. But street vendors do pay a kind of tax, only these levies don't go into state coffers.
The right to freedom of profession and trade under Art 19(1)(j) allows a citizen of India to engage in a trade or profession of his choice. While an individual is not allowed to vend on streets to earn a livelihood with minimum investment, the law is curbing the fundamental right entrusted by the Indian Constitution.
What is the difference between a hawker and a street vendor?
Hawker is a person who offers goods for sale in the market, e.g., newspaper hawker. Vendor is a person who sells things that are often prepared at home by their families, who purchase, clean, sort and make them ready to sell, e.g., those who sell food or snacks on the street, prepare most of them at home.
Kolkata. Popularly called the 'City of Joy', Kolkata is considered as the best place for budget-friendly street foods. It's known for amazing Jhalmuri and Ghugni Chaat, and one can also get Singhara (Bengali Samosa), Telebhaja and many more delicious dishes.
Delhi. The country's capital is also known as the food capital of India. Delhi has some of the best street food cities in India, widely known for the diverse choice of street cuisine like chaat and chhole bhature.
Delhi. The capital of the country is also known to be the food capital of India for food lovers. They have some of the best street food city in India, widely famous for its range of street food like Chaat, Chhole Bhature, to the amazing Butter Chicken.
All vendors in each city should be registered at a nominal fee to be decided by the ULBs based on any reliable means of identification. There should preferably be no numerical restriction or quotas, or prior residential status requirements of any kind.
The Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014: It was enacted to regulate street vendors in public areas and protect their rights.
What is the national policy for street vendors in India?
The National Policy on Urban Street Vendors was launched in 2004 and revised in 2009. Article 19(1)(g) of the Indian Constitution gives the Indian citizen a fundamental right to practice any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business.
Form B is the FSSAI registration form the applicant must fill out to get an FSSAI state license. Food business operators like small to medium-sized manufacturing units, storage, transporters, retailers, marketers, distributors, etc., need to take FSSAI registration from the state government.
Apply online for licence and registration with Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) through Licencing and Registration System. Users can apply for licence and registration by selecting the state in which they are operating their premises.
Ans. Yes, you must get a business license and important permits from your state's food safety organisations. You should obtain a food license from FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India). You can register to get it online or offline at your convenience.
