What is FSSAI Licence?
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is an autonomous body established under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, through the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. FSSAI is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through regulation and supervision of food safety.
Every Food Business Operator (FBO) in India — anyone involved in manufacturing, processing, packaging, storing, distributing, transporting, importing, or selling food — must obtain a valid FSSAI registration or licence before commencing operations. The type of licence depends on annual turnover and scale of operations.
FSSAI issues three types of registrations/licences: Basic Registration (for small-scale businesses), State Licence (for medium-scale businesses), and Central Licence (for large-scale manufacturers, importers, and businesses operating across states). All applications are processed through the FoSCoS (Food Safety Compliance System) portal.
Which FSSAI Licence Do You Need?
| Annual Turnover / Scale | Licence Type | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Up to ₹12 lakh / year | Basic Registration | Home baker, petty food vendor, small chai shop, small retailer |
| ₹12 lakh – ₹20 crore / year | State Licence | Restaurant, mid-size manufacturer, caterer, food processing unit |
| Above ₹20 crore / year | Central Licence | Large manufacturer, importer, all-India supply chain, exporter |
| Food Importer (any scale) | Central Licence | Mandatory for all importers regardless of turnover |
| Multi-state Operations | Central Licence | Businesses operating in more than one state or union territory |
| Railway / Airport / Port | Central Licence | Food stalls / caterers at railway stations, airports, seaports |
Penalties for FSSAI Non-Compliance
Operating any food business without a valid FSSAI licence or registration
Selling substandard food articles that don't meet FSSAI quality standards
Manufacturing, selling or distributing food causing death due to adulteration
Misleading advertisements or false labelling on food products
Late renewal penalty per day after expiry of FSSAI licence
FSSAI food safety officers can seal and shut down non-compliant food premises
FSSAI Basic Registration — Small Food Businesses
FSSAI Basic Registration is for small-scale food businesses with an annual turnover of up to ₹12 lakh. It is the entry-level FSSAI compliance, applicable to home bakers, petty food vendors, small retailers, and micro food processing units. Basic registration must be obtained before commencing any food business activity.
Who Should Apply: Home bakers, tiffin service providers, small dhabas, street food vendors, small grocery shops, petty food retailers, homemade pickle / jam / preserve makers, and small-scale food processors with annual turnover below ₹12 lakh. Even businesses just starting out should register before their first food sale.
Who Needs Basic FSSAI Registration?
- Home Bakers & Home Chefs: Anyone selling homemade food online (Zomato, Swiggy, Instagram, WhatsApp) or offline needs FSSAI Basic Registration.
- Small Food Retailers: Kirana stores, small grocery shops, and petty food sellers with turnover under ₹12 lakh.
- Tiffin Services: Home-run tiffin and meal delivery services operating locally.
- Street Food Vendors: Mobile food carts, food stalls at markets, and roadside vendors.
- Small Food Processors: Micro-units making pickles, papads, masalas, dairy products for local sale with turnover below threshold.
- Cottage Industry Units: Small-scale food production under cottage industry classification.
Documents for Basic FSSAI Registration
| # | Document | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Photo ID Proof | Aadhaar Card / Voter ID / Passport / Driving Licence of proprietor | Mandatory |
| 02 | Passport-size Photograph | Recent photograph of the FBO owner / proprietor | Mandatory |
| 03 | Business Address Proof | Rent agreement / Electricity bill / Ownership deed of the premises | Mandatory |
| 04 | List of Food Products | Complete list of food products to be manufactured / traded / sold | Mandatory |
| 05 | Declaration Form — Form A | Duly filled FSSAI Form A (Registration Form) with self-declaration | Mandatory |
| 06 | Mobile Number (OTP) | Registered mobile for FoSCoS portal OTP verification | Mandatory |
Basic FSSAI Registration — Process
FSSAI State Licence — Medium-Scale Food Businesses
FSSAI State Licence is required for medium-scale food businesses with an annual turnover between ₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore, operating within a single state. It is issued by the State Food Safety Authority and covers restaurants, mid-size manufacturers, caterers, food processing units, and storage facilities.
Who Needs FSSAI State Licence?
Restaurants & Hotels
All restaurants, cafes, cloud kitchens, QSR chains, and hotels serving food to customers.
Food Manufacturers
Mid-size food processing and manufacturing units with turnover between ₹12L–₹20Cr.
Caterers & Events
Catering companies, event food services, wedding caterers, and institutional canteens.
Cold Storages & Warehouses
Food storage facilities, cold chain operators, and food warehousing businesses.
Food Distributors
Wholesale distributors, C&F agents, and food distribution businesses operating within a state.
Supermarkets & FMCGs
Medium-scale supermarkets, departmental stores, and FMCG distributors with food products.
Documents for FSSAI State Licence
| # | Document | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Form B — Licence Application | Duly filled FSSAI Form B with all business details | Mandatory |
| 02 | Photo ID & Address Proof of Proprietor | Aadhaar / Passport / Voter ID | Mandatory |
| 03 | Business Registration Certificate | GST / Shop Act / Partnership Deed / CoI | Mandatory |
| 04 | Premises Address & Ownership Proof | Rent agreement / property ownership / utility bill | Mandatory |
| 05 | Food Safety Management Plan | FSMS / HACCP / hygiene plan for the food premises | Mandatory |
| 06 | List of Machinery & Equipment | For manufacturing units — complete machinery list with capacity | Mandatory |
| 07 | List of Food Products | Detailed product list with HS code and food category classification | Mandatory |
| 08 | Water Testing Report | Potability test report from accredited lab (for manufacturing units) | Mandatory |
| 09 | Layout Plan of Premises | Scaled floor plan showing manufacturing, storage, and utility areas | Mandatory |
| 10 | NOC from Municipality / Panchayat | No-objection certificate from local body for food business | If Required |
| 11 | IEC (for exporters) | If the FBO is also engaged in food exports | If Applicable |
Physical Inspection: State FSSAI licence applications may require a physical inspection of the food premises by a designated Food Safety Officer before the licence is granted. JDN CORPORATE prepares a complete compliance report and assists you in making your premises inspection-ready — maximizing the chance of first-attempt approval.
State Licence Application — Process
FSSAI Central Licence — Large-Scale Food Businesses
FSSAI Central Licence is required for large-scale food businesses with an annual turnover above ₹20 crore, food importers, multi-state operators, and businesses operating at railway premises, airports, seaports, and defense establishments. It is issued by the FSSAI Central Licensing Authority, New Delhi.
Mandatory for All Food Importers: Regardless of turnover, every business importing food products into India requires a Central FSSAI Licence. The licence must be obtained before the first import shipment arrives. Port of Entry (PoE) clearance by FSSAI is mandatory for all food imports.
Food Business Categories (by Licence Type)
Documents for FSSAI Central Licence
| # | Document | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Form B — Central Licence Application | Duly filled FSSAI Form B for Central Licence with DSC | Mandatory |
| 02 | Certificate of Incorporation / CoI | For Pvt Ltd / LLP / OPC companies | Mandatory |
| 03 | PAN Card of Entity | Company / LLP / Firm PAN | Mandatory |
| 04 | GST Registration Certificate | Current GSTIN of the entity | Mandatory |
| 05 | List of Directors / Partners | With ID proof of all directors (Aadhaar / Passport) | Mandatory |
| 06 | Premises Address & Ownership Proof | For each manufacturing / processing / storage location | Mandatory |
| 07 | Blueprint / Layout Plan | Scaled architectural drawing of food premises | Mandatory |
| 08 | List of Machinery & Equipment | With installed capacity and model numbers | Mandatory |
| 09 | Food Safety Management System (FSMS) | Complete HACCP / GMP / GHP documentation | Mandatory |
| 10 | Water & Environment Test Reports | Potability reports from accredited labs; effluent disposal plan | Mandatory |
| 11 | Product Analysis / Lab Test Reports | For key products as per FSSAI product-specific standards | Mandatory |
| 12 | IEC Certificate | Mandatory for food importers and exporters | If Importer |
| 13 | NOC from State Pollution Control Board | Environmental clearance for large manufacturing plants | If Required |
Central Licence Application — Process
Detailed Comparison — Basic vs State vs Central
| Parameter | 🟢 Basic Registration | 🟠 State Licence | 🔵 Central Licence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Turnover | Up to ₹12 lakh | ₹12 lakh – ₹20 crore | Above ₹20 crore |
| Issuing Authority | Local FSSAI Registrar | State Food Safety Authority | FSSAI Central Licensing Authority |
| Form Required | Form A | Form B | Form B (Central) |
| Government Fee | ₹100/year | ₹2,000–₹5,000/year | ₹7,500–₹15,000/year |
| Validity | 1–5 years | 1–5 years | 1–5 years |
| Processing Time | 7–10 days | 30–60 days | 30–60 days |
| Physical Inspection | Usually not required | May be required | Mandatory |
| FSMS / HACCP Plan | Not required | Required | Mandatory (detailed) |
| Water Test Report | Not required | Required for manufacturing | Mandatory |
| DSC Required | Not required | May be required | Mandatory |
| Multi-State Operations | Not covered | Single state only | Pan-India coverage |
| Import / Export Allowed | No | No (domestic only) | Yes — mandatory for importers |
| Renewal Requirement | Annual renewal | Annual renewal | Annual renewal |
Frequently Asked Questions — FSSAI
Apply for FSSAI Licence
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