Frequently Asked Questions

You can verify any Satvik Certified business by scanning the QR code displayed at the business, or by entering the certificate ID on our Verification Page. The result shows the business name, certification level, validity period, live status, and last inspection date.

You can file a complaint through our Contact Page or Complaints Policy page. We take every consumer concern seriously and investigate all valid complaints, which may trigger an additional unannounced inspection.

Certification verifies that the business has met our standards at the time of audit and during surveillance inspections. It does not guarantee perpetual, real-time compliance at every moment. However, with 4 inspections per cycle and consumer complaint mechanisms, we maintain strong ongoing accountability.

Yes! Browse our Certified Business Directory and filter by city, category (restaurant, sweet shop, caterer, etc.), and certification level. Each listing includes a verify button for real-time status checking.

We do not claim that uncertified food is unsafe or impure by default. Satvik Certification is a voluntary standard that businesses choose to adopt. Many excellent food businesses may follow great practices without being certified. Our certification simply provides independent, verified assurance for consumers who want that extra layer of confidence.

Our certification is about food preparation standards — ingredient verification, kitchen discipline, hygiene, and process controls. While the term "Satvik" comes from traditional Indian food philosophy, our framework evaluates processes and practices, not the religious identity or beliefs of any individual.

Certification fees vary based on the tier (Green/Gold/Premium), number of branches, and size of kitchen. Contact us for a detailed quotation. Fees cover the cost of audits, certificate issuance, QR verification setup, and directory listing — they are not a "pay to pass" arrangement.

Typically 6–8 weeks from application to certificate issuance, assuming your documentation is complete and the initial audit reveals no critical non-conformities. If corrective actions are needed, the timeline may extend by 2–4 weeks for re-inspection.

If your menu includes onion/garlic dishes, you can still apply for Satvik Green. However, for Satvik Gold or Sanatan Premium, your entire kitchen must be onion/garlic-free. There is no partial certification within a single kitchen for Gold/Premium tiers.

If the audit reveals non-conformities, you'll receive a detailed Corrective Action Report with specific issues and required changes. You'll have 15–30 days to implement corrections. A follow-up inspection is then scheduled. If critical issues are found, the application is deferred and you'll need to make fundamental changes before reapplying.

Yes, certified businesses can display the Satvik Certified badge on their online profiles, delivery platform listings, website, social media, and packaging — as long as it follows our Logo Usage Guidelines. The badge may only be used for the certified branch/products.

Absolutely. Cloud kitchens are evaluated on the same standards — ingredient purity, kitchen discipline, storage, hygiene, and compliance — regardless of whether they serve dine-in customers. The audit is adapted for delivery-only operations, including packaging and labeling standards.

Packaged food brands/manufacturers are audited at the production facility. The audit covers raw material sourcing, production processes, ingredient handling, packaging, labeling, and supplier declarations. Certification applies to specific product lines — not automatically to every product the company makes.

Yes. Caterers are audited at their primary kitchen facility. The certification applies to their Satvik menu offerings. They must maintain the same standards during events as they do in their base kitchen. Event-specific compliance may be spot-checked during the certification period.

Yes. Sweet shops, mithai stores, and namkeen producers are ideal candidates — especially for Gold and Premium tiers. The audit covers ingredient sourcing (ghee, sugar, milk, dry fruits), oil handling, cross-contamination prevention, and packaging standards.

Yes. Temple kitchens and prasad services are well-suited for the Sanatan Premium tier. The audit verifies traditional preparation methods, ingredient purity, kitchen environment, fasting food compliance, and supply chain integrity.

Yes. Each branch requires its own audit and receives its own certificate and QR code. Multi-branch applications may receive bundled pricing. Each branch is independently audited and must independently meet all requirements.

Absolutely not. Our certification is entirely process-based. We evaluate food preparation standards, kitchen practices, ingredients, hygiene, and documentation. We do not ask about, evaluate, or consider the religion, caste, ethnicity, or personal identity of the owner, staff, or customers. Any food business that meets our standards can earn certification.

Satvik Certified is a private, voluntary certification — similar to ISO, HACCP, or organic certifications. It is not a government-mandated requirement. It provides a market-recognized trust mark that businesses can voluntarily adopt and consumers can voluntarily look for.

No. The Satvik Certified mark is a protected trademark. Unauthorized use constitutes trademark infringement and may result in legal action. Only currently certified businesses may display the mark, and only for the specific branches and products covered by their certification.

Certification verifies compliance at the time of audit and during surveillance inspections. It does not constitute an absolute guarantee of real-time, continuous compliance. However, our recurring inspection framework — including surprise visits — is designed to maintain high ongoing accountability.

Yes. Businesses that disagree with an audit finding, suspension, or revocation can file a formal appeal within 15 business days. Appeals are reviewed by an independent panel. See our Appeals Policy for details.

Every Satvik Certification is valid for 24 months from the date of issuance. During this period, the business undergoes 4 inspections (1 initial + 2 scheduled + 1 surprise for Gold/Premium). The business must apply for re-certification before the expiry date to maintain their certified status.

When the 24-month validity ends, the certificate status changes to "Expired" in our system and on QR verification. The business must remove all Satvik Certified marks and is removed from the active directory listing. They can reapply through the standard process with a new initial audit.

Yes. Certification can be suspended if a business receives a critical non-conformity, fails to correct major non-conformities within the specified timeline, refuses an inspection, or is the subject of a substantiated consumer complaint. Suspended businesses have 30 days to resolve the issue and request re-inspection.

Yes, but only after a 12-month cooling-off period. The business must submit a completely new application, demonstrate significant changes, and undergo an enhanced initial audit. Previous non-conformity history is considered during the review.

All consumer complaints are logged, assigned an investigation reference, and reviewed within 5 business days. Valid complaints trigger an unannounced inspection. If the complaint is substantiated, the business faces corrective action requirements or suspension depending on severity. The complainant is informed of the outcome.

No. Certification fees cover the cost of the audit process itself — they are not dependent on the outcome. If the business does not pass, they can implement corrections and request a re-inspection (which may involve an additional fee). See our Refund Policy for details.