At a minimum, an Indian frozen food exporter needs an FSSAI licence and an IEC (Importer Exporter Code). A plant that sells to retailers or large food companies abroad should also hold a recognised food safety certification, most often BRCGS, FSSC 22000 or IFS, built on HACCP.
Which certificates you need depends on your market and your customers. A certificate is also only a starting point. It shows a system exists, not that every lot is right.
Licences and registrations
- FSSAI licence: required for food businesses in India, including manufacturers and exporters. See what FSSAI is and whether it matters for export.
- IEC from DGFT: needed by any Indian business that exports.
- APEDA registration (RCMC): processed vegetable products generally fall under APEDA, so exporters usually register. Confirm the current scope with APEDA.
- US FDA food facility registration: required for plants whose food is exported to the US. See US FDA facility registration.
- Market listings: some destinations require the plant to be listed or approved by their own authority. Check with your import authority.
Food safety certifications
Most international buyers ask for a scheme recognised by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). These include BRCGS, FSSC 22000 and IFS. ISO 22000 on its own is not GFSI-recognised, although FSSC 22000 builds on it. Check which version and scope a supplier actually holds, since the names are easy to confuse.
UK retailers often expect BRCGS, while many European and multinational buyers accept FSSC 22000 or IFS. Smaller importers may accept HACCP certification plus their own audit. Ask your customers what they require before you shortlist.
Other certificates buyers ask for
- Halal: often required for the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and issued by a body your market recognises.
- Kosher: requested by some US and European buyers.
- Organic: only if you sell organic, and only under the scheme your market recognises.
- Social or ethical audits: requested by some retailers.
- Lab accreditation: in-house labs are useful, but release tests should also be done at an accredited external lab.
How to check certificates
Ask for copies and check each one directly with the issuing body or its public database. Do not rely on a PDF alone, as copies can be edited. Confirm the plant address, the scope, which should name frozen products, and the expiry date. A certificate for a sister plant or for dry products does not cover your frozen line.
Ask for the latest audit report and any non-conformities, not just the certificate. Recurring issues with cold store temperature, pest control or Listeria monitoring are warning signs. Then visit, as covered in how to audit a frozen food factory.
How we help
We verify each plant's licences and certificates against the issuing bodies, read the latest audit reports and check that the scope covers your product. Then we audit the plant ourselves. Ask for a free sourcing review.