Who needs an FSSAI license?
Every food business operator (FBO) in India — manufacturer, storage, distributor, retailer, caterer, transporter, importer, exporter — needs an FSSAI registration or license. It is mandatory under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The three types
1. Basic FSSAI Registration
- For FBOs with annual turnover up to ₹12 lakh
- Small retailers, petty manufacturers, tiffin services, hawkers
- Issued by the State / UT authority
- Valid for 1 to 5 years
2. State FSSAI License
- For FBOs with turnover between ₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore
- Mid-sized manufacturers, processors, storage units, restaurants
- Operations within a single state
3. Central FSSAI License
- For FBOs with turnover above ₹20 crore
- Importers, exporters, 100% EOUs, operators across multiple states
- Airport / seaport / railway catering
- Issued by the Central Food Safety Commissioner
Documents required
Basic registration:
- Form A
- Photo ID (Aadhaar / PAN / voter ID / DL)
- Address proof of premises
- Passport-size photo
State / Central license (additional):
- Form B
- Blueprint / layout of the premises
- List of directors / partners / proprietors with ID and address
- Water test report (for manufacturing)
- List of food categories to be dealt with
- Supporting documents for proof of possession (rent agreement / ownership)
- NOC from municipality (for manufacturers)
- Partnership deed / incorporation certificate (if applicable)
- Food Safety Management System (FSMS) plan
Online application process
- Visit the FoSCoS portal (
foscos.fssai.gov.in) - Check eligibility based on turnover and nature of business
- Register a new user account
- Fill the appropriate form (A or B)
- Upload documents and pay the fee
- Submit — you receive an application reference number
- Inspection may be scheduled for state / central licenses
- License is issued on approval — downloadable as PDF
Validity and renewal
- Licenses are issued for 1 to 5 years
- Apply for renewal at least 30 days before expiry to avoid penalties
- Late renewal attracts ₹100 per day
Penalties for operating without FSSAI
- Operating without license: up to 6 months imprisonment and ₹5 lakh fine
- Selling sub-standard food: ₹5 lakh fine
- Misbranding: ₹3 lakh fine
Displaying the FSSAI number
Once issued, you must display your 14-digit FSSAI number on all packaged products, menus, invoices, and at the premises. This is not optional.
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