How to FPO (Food Process Order) Certification?

In India, all processed and packaged fruit products are mandated to be certified with FPO Mark. But discuss regarding FPO registration, we must know about FPO.

What does FPO mean?

FPO stands for Fruit Products Order. Food process order or FPO mark is issued by the Ministry of Food processing Industry which also develops the standards for this mark. The mark was named after the law called Fruit Products offer. FPO mark guarantees that the product was manufactured in a hygienic environment and to the specifications and quality control requirements, thus ensuring that the product is fit for consumption.

Let’s know about FPO Certification

FPO mark is a certification mark mandatory on all processed fruit products sold in India such as packaged fruit beverages, fruit-jams, crushes and squashes, pickles, dehydrated fruit products, and fruit extracts, following the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006. FPO certification India is effective since 1955, but became mandatory only in 2006 after Food Safety and Standards Act, promulgated under Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act – 1955, with an objective to regulate the fruits and vegetable processing sector.

The Ministry has launched many publicity campaigns to educate public as well as fruit processors to understand its necessity and mandate. All food processors are mandated to have an FPO license and carry out their operations abiding by the guidelines in order to be able to continue the business.

FPO certification is mandatory for all food processing industries and it includes:-

Synthetic beverages, Syrups and sharbat
Vinegar whether brewed or Synthetic
Pickles, Dehydrated fruits and vegetables
Squashes, crushes, cordials, barley water
Jam, jellies and marmalades, Chutneys
Tomato products, ketchup and sauces
Preserved, candied and crystallised fruits and peels
Canned and bottled fruits, juices, pulps and vegetables
Frozen Fruit and vegetables
Sweetened aerated water with or without fruit juices and pulp
Fruit cereal Flakes

FPO certification is a process and one should follow each and every step while applying for FPO registration or certification. FPO certification in India also applies to few more fruit products including Tomato products like tomato ketchup, tomato sauce and other vegetable juices.

Filing application for FPO to the Ministry of Food Processing in India

The following important documents are needed to be submitted to the Ministry of Food Processing in India at the time of filing application and Documents for FPO Certification:-