FSSAI registration authorizes food businesses under Government of India guidelines, ensuring legal compliance, food safety, consumer trust, and nationwide credibility. Obtain basic, state or central license to elevate brand reputation.
Start Serving with FSSAI Compliance
FSSAI
Registration
IN INDIA
FSSAI registration is a mandatory compliance for anyone operating in India’s food sector—whether you’re launching a restaurant, bakery, hotel, cloud kitchen or a roadside food stall. Under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), every Food Business Operator (FBO)—including manufacturers, processors, distributors, transporters and retailers of food items—must secure this registration before commencing operations.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is an autonomous regulatory body set up by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Its core mission is to oversee India’s food supply chain, enforce uniform safety standards, and curb adulteration and sub-standard products through rigorous quality checks.
FSSAI Registration
All entities, whether individuals or businesses, involved in any area of the food trade (manufacturing, processing, storage, distribution, or sale) must get an FSSAI registration or license.
Depending on your turnover and company operations, you can register or receive an FSSAI license. Small-scale operators usually complete basic registration, whilst larger enterprises require a state or central license.
After approval, you will be assigned a unique 14-digit FSSAI number that must appear on all packaged food items. This number captures your jurisdiction and specific authorization information, ensuring responsibility and food safety compliance for each Food Business Operator (FBO).
The authority will review all submitted documents for accuracy and completeness.
If required, they may perform an on-site inspection of your food premises before approval.
Once satisfied that you meet all regulatory standards, you’ll receive a 14-digit FSSAI certificate—complete with your registration number, name, and photograph—which can be downloaded from the FoSCoS portal.
You must then prominently display this certificate at your business location during operating hours.
Food Business Operators (FBOs)
All Food Business Operators (FBOs) in the following categories must obtain FSSAI registration or a licence:
- Small retailers & shops: e.g., neighborhood grocery stores, bakeries, confectioneries, snack outlets
- Food stalls & kiosks: permanent or temporary units preparing and selling items like golgappa, chaat, samosas, pakoras, South Indian fare, sweets, juices, etc.
- Mobile hawkers: vendors plying packaged or freshly made foods via carts or on foot
- Dairy outfits: petty milk vendors, milk-chilling centres, and small dairy units
- Vegetable-oil processors
- Slaughterhouses & meat shops: mutton, chicken, lamb, etc.
- Meat & fish processing plants
- All food manufacturing/processing units—including those that simply re-package products
- Proprietary and novel food producers
Cold & refrigerated storage facilities
Food transporters using specialised vehicles (insulated vans, refrigerated wagons, milk tankers, food trucks, etc.)
Wholesalers, suppliers, distributors & marketers of food products
Hotels, restaurants & bars
Canteens & cafeterias, including school mid-day meal services
Catering agencies & mobile caterers
Roadside dhabas; PGs offering meals; banquet halls with in-house catering; home-based canteens; and temporary food stalls at fairs, festivals or religious venues
Importers & exporters of food items and ingredients
E-commerce food vendors, including cloud kitchens
Procedure for obtaining FSSAI registration online.
- FBOs can receive FSSAI registration online by completing and submitting Form A (application for Registration) or Form B (application for State and Central License) through the FoSCoS portal. FBOs can also register offline by submitting Forms A and B to the Food and Safety Department.
- The FSSAI registration form must be accompanied by all essential papers. The documentation must be uploaded electronically to the FoSCos portal during the application process or physically presented to the Food and Safety Department with the application.
- The FSSAI registration form can be accepted or refused by the Department within 7 days of receiving an application, either physically or online via the FoSCoS site. If the application is rejected, it must be communicated to the applicant in writing.
- The Department will scrutinise the documents submitted.
- If necessary, the Department may inspect the food facilities prior to issuing the FSSAI registration certificate.
If the Department is satisfied that the FBO meets all of the requirements, it will issue an FSSAI registration certificate containing the registration number and a snapshot of the applicant’s email ID. The applicant can also obtain the FSSAI registration certificate by logging onto the FoSCoS portal.
FBOs should publicly display their FSSAI registration certificate during business hours.
FSSAI Registration Eligibility
FSSAI Registration is a basic license that is necessary for all FBOs operating in the small-scale food business. This category applies to the following businesses:
- Any FBO having an annual turnover of no more than Rs 12 lakh.
- Small-scale retailer selling food products.
Anyone who manufactures or sells food on their own. - Food is sold by the temporary stall holder.
- Any person who distributes food during a religious or social function, excluding a caterer.
- Small-scale or cottage industries involved in the food business.
- Small enterprises have the following food capacity limits:
FSSAI License Eligibility
All other FBOs, save small-scale firms, must get an FSSAI license. FSSAI Licenses are divided into two categories: State FSSAI Licenses and Central FSSAI Licenses, depending on whether the business is medium-sized or large-scale.
State FSSAI License
FBOs with medium-sized production operations, as well as transporters, marketers, and merchants, must obtain State FSSAI registration from the state government. This category applies to the following businesses:
FBOs must have a turnover of Rs 12 lakh to Rs 20 crore (Rs 30 crore for transportation and wholesalers).
All grains, cereals, and pulses milling operations have unlimited production capacity.
.Medium-scale firms have the following food capacity constraints.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is FSSAI Registration?
FSSAI Registration is a government-issued certification mandatory for food businesses in India. It ensures the business complies with food safety laws under the FSS Act, 2006, and promotes consumer trust by certifying hygiene and quality standards.
Who needs FSSAI Registration?
All food-related businesses—such as food manufacturers, processors, transporters, storage units, sellers, and even home kitchens—require FSSAI Registration or License, depending on turnover, business scale, and operations, to legally operate in India.
Why is FSSAI Registration important?
It legally authorizes your food business, ensures food safety standards are met, builds customer confidence, and is often required for partnerships, funding, online listings, and large-scale business operations.
Is FSSAI Registration mandatory?
Yes, it is compulsory for all food businesses. Running a food business without FSSAI registration is illegal and can attract fines, legal action, or business closure by food safety authorities.
What are the types of FSSAI Licenses?
There are three types: Basic Registration (turnover under ₹12 lakhs), State License (₹12 lakh–₹20 crore), and Central License (over ₹20 crore or inter-state operations). Choose based on your business scale.
What is the FSSAI 14-digit number?
It is a unique number issued upon registration, used to track food products. This number must be printed on food packages to indicate safety approval and compliance with FSSAI norms.
How to apply for FSSAI Registration?
You can apply online at https://foscos.fssai.gov.in by filling out the form, submitting required documents, and paying the registration fee based on your selected license type and duration.
What is the validity of an FSSAI License?
The license is valid for 1 to 5 years, based on what you choose during application. Renewal should be done at least 30 days before the license expires to avoid penalties.
Do home food businesses need FSSAI?
Yes, even if you are a small-scale food seller or home baker, FSSAI Basic Registration is mandatory if your turnover is below ₹12 lakhs annually. It adds legitimacy and customer trust.
How much does FSSAI Registration cost?
Fees vary: ₹100/year for Basic, ₹2,000–₹5,000/year for State, and ₹7,500/year for Central Licenses. Additional consultant or documentation fees may apply depending on how you apply.
What documents are required?
Basic registration needs ID proof, passport-size photo, business address proof, food category, and Form B. Higher licenses may need additional documents like utility bills, NOC, layout plan, etc.
Is FSSAI mandatory for online food delivery?
Yes, if you sell food through online platforms like Zomato, Swiggy, or Amazon, you must have a valid FSSAI License as per their platform policies and FSSAI guidelines.
Is food labelling required with FSSAI?
Yes, every food package must display the FSSAI 14-digit license number, product name, ingredients, nutritional value, and expiry. This assures buyers of safety, compliance, and quality standards.
How long does it take to get FSSAI registered?
Basic Registration usually takes 7–10 days. State and Central Licenses may take 30–60 days depending on document verification, inspections, and approval from the Food Safety Department.