FPO Mark Certification

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FPO Mark Certification

Overview
What is FPO Mark?

The Food Products Order, 1955 was promulgated under Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. The FPO mark full form is the Food Products Order (FPO) mark applied to food products sold in India. The FPO mark is a mandatory certification mark for all processed fruit products sold in India, such as fruit jams, packaged fruit beverages, crushes and squashes, dehydrated fruit products, pickles, and fruit extracts.
The FPO Mark guarantees that the food products are manufactured in a hygienic and food-safe environment, ensuring that the product is fit for consumption. The Ministry of Food Processing Industries develops food safety hygiene standards and issues the FPO mark certification to processed food manufacturers. The FPO mark for food products was followed by the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act of 2006.

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Types of FPO

Different types of FPO certification in India are as follows:

Fruit-Based Products Certification
Vegetable-Based Products Certification
Beverages Certification
Canned Fruit Products Certification
Frozen Fruit Products Certification
Dehydrated Products Certification
Edible Oils and Fats Certification
Honey Certification
Dairy Products Certification
Miscellaneous Processed Food Certification

Documents Necessary

The documents needed for verification of an FPO mark certification include the following:

·        Application form

·        Business Registration Certificate

·        PAN Card & GST Registration

·        FSSAI License

·        Food Safety Management Plan

·        Manufacturing Facility Details

·        List of Equipment & Machinery

·        List of Ingredients

·        Product Details

·        Quality Control Reports

·        Quality Assurance Plan

·        Labelling Details

·        Ownership or Lease Documents of the facility

·        Employee Health Certificates

·        Trademark Registration (if applicable)

Apply for FPO

1.1. Determine Eligibility
a.   The first step in the process of FPO mark certification is to meet the eligibility criteria, such as business registration, FSSAI license and fulfilling hygiene and safety norms.

2.   Prepare Required Documents
a.   The next step involves collecting the necessary paperwork, such as application forms, business registration certificates, FSSAI licenses, manufacturing unit details, etc.

3.   Online Registration
a.   Once documents are collected, the next step comprises visiting the official website of FSSAI to commence the online FPO products certification application process.

4.   Fill Application Form
a.   Next, you must fill out the application form and ensure it contains no mistakes and fix any discrepancies. Filling in accurate details saves time and helps you manage quick approvals.

5.   Submit Documents
a.   Once you have filled out the application form, upload the documents for submission along with the form and ensure that all the details are filled in as per the FSSAI guidelines.

6.   Pay the Fee
a.   You must pay the prescribed fee along with the online application or as per the instructions mentioned by the certification authority, and save the payment receipt.

7.   Facility Inspection
a.   Once the application is submitted and the fee is paid, FSSAI officially schedules the inspection of your manufacturing unit to validate its compliance and safety for consumption.

8.   Product Testing
a.   You must submit some product samples for testing at the labs approved by FSSAI. This is necessary to ensure hygiene compliance with the required hygiene and safety norms.

9.   Verification and Approval
a.   Once the above steps are complete, FSSAI reviews the application, inspection reports and test results to determine if your manufacturing unit is fit to produce food items.

10.  Receive Certification
a.   Once your application is approved, FSSAI issues an FPO certification, making it eligible for you to officially use the FPO mark on your fruit products.

11.  Renew Certification
a.   You need to ensure the validity of your FPO certification. You must renew the application as per the renewal guidelines to stay compliant and use the FPO mark without              legal issues.a

Products Typically Require

·        Fruit syrups, beverages, and squashes

·        Jams, jellies, marmalades

·        Pickles and chutneys

·        Dehydrated/dried fruits and vegetables

·        Canned and bottled fruit products

·        Fruit juices, pulps, nectars

·        Tomato products (e.g., ketchup, sauces)

·        Frozen fruits/vegetables

·        Sweetened fizzy drinks containing fruit content

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants are mandated to fulfil various criteria for FPO certification in India, including the ones mentioned below:

1.   The applicant should be a registered business entity to be eligible for FPO certification.

2.   Applicants must first apply for an FSSAI license, as it is a mandatory prerequisite.

3.   Applicants must own or lease a manufacturing facility equipped to produce processed fruit products.

4.   The applicant must ensure robust quality assurance measures are in place, such as regular testing.

5.   The workers involved in production must maintain valid health certificates as mandated.

6.   The applicants must maintain proper records of their operational dealings & test reports.

Summary

Aspect                          FPO Mark Certification

Full Form                       Fruit Products Order

Issued By                     Ministry of Food Processing Industries (Govt of India)

Purpose                        Certify safety, hygiene & quality for processed fruit products

Mandatory For              Processed fruit/vegetable products sold in India

Key Steps                    Application → Inspection → Testing → Approval

FAQ

  • Is FPO Mark mandatory for all food products?

    No. FPO Mark is only mandatory for processed fruit and vegetable products such as jams, juices, squashes, pickles, canned fruits, dehydrated fruits, and similar items. Other food products may require FSSAI certification instead.

  • How long does it take to get FPO Mark?

    Typically 30–60 days, depending on the completeness of documents, inspection schedules, and lab testing timelines.

  • Can a small-scale manufacturer get FPO certification?

    Yes. Both small and large businesses can apply for FPO certification as long as they meet hygiene, safety, and quality standards. There are simplified procedures for small-scale units under the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.

  • Can FPO certified products be exported?

    Yes. Having FPO certification enhances export credibility, as it assures foreign buyers that the products meet hygiene and safety standards. Some importers may also specifically require FPO-certified products.

  • Who issues the FPO certificate?

    The FPO certificate is issued by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, after verification of documents, inspection, and product testing.