FSSAI Standards

Mandatory Compliance

Food Safety Act

Organic Certification

NPOP Standards

Voluntary Premium

AGMARK Grading

Quality Certification

Grade A, B, C

Animal Welfare

AWBI Standards

Ethical Farming

FSSAI Regulations for Poultry Products

Mandatory Food Safety Standards

As per Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, all poultry products must comply with these basic standards:

Microbiological Standards
  • Salmonella: Absent in 25g
  • E. Coli: Less than 100 CFU/g
  • Total Plate Count: Max 1,000,000 CFU/g
  • Coliforms: Less than 100 CFU/g
Chemical Residue Limits
  • Antibiotics: Zero tolerance
  • Heavy Metals: Within safe limits
  • Pesticides: Below MRL limits
  • Hormones: Strictly prohibited
Labeling Requirements
  • FSSAI License Number
  • Best Before Date
  • Storage Instructions
  • Nutritional Information

Complete FSSAI Compliance Checklist

Click items to mark them as completed for your farm setup.

1. Licensing & Registration

All poultry farms with turnover above ₹12 lakh require FSSAI license. Small farms need registration.

2. Hygiene & Sanitation

Regular cleaning schedules, pest control, waste management systems must be implemented.

3. Water Quality Testing

Drinking water for poultry must meet BIS standards and be tested quarterly.

4. Feed Quality Control

All poultry feed must comply with BIS standards and be free from contaminants.

5. Health Monitoring

Regular veterinary checks, vaccination records, and disease prevention protocols.

6. Traceability System

Maintain records from farm to market for complete product traceability.

Egg Quality Standards & Grading

AGMARK Grading System for Eggs

Grade Weight/Size Shell Quality Yolk Quality Albumen Quality Use
Grade A (Special) 60g+ (Extra Large) Clean, sound, normal shape Firm, centered, no defects Clear, firm, Haugh unit 72+ Direct consumption
Grade A 53-60g (Large) Clean, sound, normal shape Firm, centered, slight defects Clear, reasonably firm Direct consumption
Grade B 45-53g (Medium) Slightly stained, sound Fairly firm, may be off-center Weak, may be watery Processing
Grade C Below 45g (Small) Stained, slight abnormalities Weak, flattened, defects Watery, small Industrial use

Quality Testing Parameters

Physical Parameters
  • Egg Weight: Minimum 45g for table eggs
  • Specific Gravity: 1.080-1.095 for freshness
  • Shell Thickness: 0.33-0.36mm minimum
  • Shell Strength: 3.5kg force minimum
Internal Quality
  • Haugh Unit: Above 60 for Grade A
  • Yolk Index: 0.40-0.50 optimal
  • Albumen pH: 7.6-8.2 fresh eggs
  • Air Cell: Less than 5mm depth

Storage & Handling

1
Collection

3 times daily

2
Cleaning

Dry cleaning

3
Grading

Within 12 hrs

4
Storage

10-15°C, 70-80% RH

Temperature Control Critical

Egg quality deteriorates rapidly above 20°C. Maintain cold chain throughout distribution to retail.

Chicken Meat Quality Standards

Processing & Packaging Standards

Slaughterhouse Requirements:
  • AWBI approved design
  • Stunning before slaughter
  • Halal/Jhatka certification
  • Hygienic processing area
  • Waste treatment plant
Post-Slaughter Handling:
  • Immediate chilling (0-4°C)
  • Aging period 4-6 hours
  • Proper cutting techniques
  • Vacuum packaging
  • Cold storage maintenance

Meat Quality Parameters

Parameter Premium Standard Reject Limits
pH Value 5.8-6.2 6.3-6.8 Above 7.0
Color (L*) 50-55 45-50 Below 40
Water Holding 60-65% 55-60% Below 50%
Shear Force 2.5-3.5 kg 3.5-4.5 kg Above 5.0 kg
Drip Loss 1-2% 2-4% Above 5%

Microbial Standards

Microorganism Acceptable Limit Frequency
Total Viable Count ≤ 1×10⁶ CFU/g Daily
E. Coli ≤ 100 CFU/g Daily
Salmonella spp. Absent in 25g Weekly
Listeria monocytogenes Absent in 25g Monthly
Campylobacter ≤ 1000 CFU/g Monthly

Shelf Life & Storage Standards

Fresh Chicken (0-4°C)
  • Whole bird: 2-3 days
  • Cut pieces: 1-2 days
  • Minced meat: 1 day
Frozen Chicken (-18°C)
  • Whole bird: 12 months
  • Cut pieces: 9 months
  • Processed: 6 months
Packaging Rules
  • Food-grade packaging only
  • Date of packing & expiry
  • Storage temp instructions
  • Thawing instructions visible

Certification Process & Benefits

FSSAI License Roadmap

1
Application

Form A/B online

2
Documentation

Proofs & plans

3
Inspection

Site visit check

4
Approval

License issued

Required Documents:
  • Business address proof
  • ID proof of owner
  • Food safety management plan
  • List of machinery/equipment
  • Authorized water test report
Fees Structure:
  • Registration: ₹100 / year
  • State License: ₹2,000 - 5,000 / year
  • Central License: ₹7,500 / year
  • Renewal: Same as fresh application

Premium Certifications

Organic Certification

NPOP Standards: National Programme for Organic Production

Requirements:
  • Organic feed (100%)
  • No antibiotics/hormones
  • Free-range access
  • Natural disease prevention

Agencies: APEDA, Lacon, OneCert

AGMARK Grading

Quality Mark: Agricultural Marketing Grading Standard

Benefits:
  • Premium price (10-20%)
  • High market recognition
  • Export advantage
  • Consumer trust & safety

Validity: 1 year renewable

Animal Welfare

AWBI Standards: Animal Welfare Board of India

Requirements:
  • Adequate space per bird
  • Natural light access
  • Proper perches/nests
  • Humane handling & care

Market Premium: 15-25%

Quality Implementation Plan

A standard timeline to elevate your farm from basic setup to fully certified compliance.

Month 1-2
Assessment & Planning
  • Current status assessment
  • Gap analysis against standards
  • Action plan development and Budget allocation
Month 3-4
Infrastructure Development
  • Facility and Shed upgrades
  • Equipment installation (Graders, Coolers)
  • Quality control lab & Record keeping setup
Month 5-6
Process Implementation
  • Enforce Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
  • Staff hygiene and safety training programs
  • Active quality monitoring and Documentation
Month 7-8
Certification Process
  • Application submission to authorities
  • Pre-audit assessment by internal team
  • Official Certification audit and Corrective actions
Month 9-12
Continuous Improvement
  • Regular internal audits every quarter
  • Market feedback incorporation
  • Recertification preparation for next cycle

Need Help Implementing Quality Standards?

Our quality standards experts will guide you through complex certification processes and help implement international standards directly in your poultry farm setup.