Applicable Act/Regulations | |
Food Safety and Standards Act,2006 | Section 31 |
Background
The Food Standards and Safety Authority of India (FSSAI) is the primary authority in charge of regulating and supervising food safety. Under the direction of the FSSAI, all organizations engaged in the food industry in India from production and processing to distribution and retailing must obtain an FSSAI license or registration. FSSAI Registration differs from FSSAI License based on the size and nature of the firm. Food Business Operators (FBOs) should obtain the appropriate registration or license based on the size of their business. Basic registration is for small businesses with annual turnover up to ₹12 lakhs. State license applies to medium-sized businesses with turnover between ₹12 lakhs and ₹20 crore. For large businesses making over ₹20 crore a year like importers or those operating in special government notified areas a Central license is needed.
Registration under FSSAI
a. 1st-2nd digit – State code (where license is issued)
b. 3rd-12thdigit – System-generated registration/license number
c. 13th-14thdigit – Check digits (used to validate authenticity of the number)
Who Is Required To Register Under FSSAI?
FBOs involved in the following activities are mandatorily required to obtain an FSSAI Registration or License, depending on their eligibility:
Types of FSSAI Registration:
a) FBOs with an annual turnover not exceeding ₹12 lakhs.
b) Small retailers engaged in selling food items.
c) Individuals who prepare or sell food on their own.
d) Food sold through temporary stalls or roadside vendors.
e) Persons distributing food at religious or social gatherings (except caterers).
f) Cottage or small-scale food businesses.
g) Units involved in food production (excluding milk/meat) up to 100 kg/ltr per day.
h) Units handling or collecting up to 500 litres of milk per day.
i) Slaughtering units with up to 2 large animals / 10 small animals / 50 poultry birds per day.
j) Food transporters operating with a single vehicle.
k) Vending machine operators running up to 12 machines in one state/UT.
2. State License:
a) Food businesses with annual turnover between ₹12 lakhs and ₹20 crore.
b) Food manufacturers producing 1 MT of food per day or 10,001 to 50,000 LPD of milk
c) Dairy units handling 501 to 2500 MT of milk solids per annum.
d) Slaughterhouses processing up to 50 large animals or 1,000 poultry birds per day.
e) Mid-sized storage and transportation units operating within a single state.
f) Hotels 3 star or above and food vending businesses exceeding basic limit.
a) FBOs with an annual turnover exceeding ₹20 crore.
b) Dairy units handling more than 50,000 litres of milk/day or 2,500 MT of milk solids per year.
c) Vegetable oil units (including refineries and expellers) with capacity over 2 MT/day.
d) Slaughterhouses processing over 50 large animals, 150 small animals, or 1,000 poultry birds/day.
e) Meat processing units handling more than 500 kg of meat/day or 150 MT/year.
f) Food processing units (including relabellers and repackers) with capacity above 2 MT/day (excluding grains, cereals, pulses).
g) Units engaged in 100% food exports.
h) Importers bringing in food products, ingredients, or additives for commercial purposes.
i) FBOs operating in more than one state.
j) Food catering services operating under Central Government agencies like Railways, Airports, Seaports, or Defence units.
Requirements for FSSAI Registration and License
Category | Basic Registration | State License | Central License |
Procedure | Apply through FoSCoS portal by filing Form A under Schedule 2 and uploading basic documents (Each operator of petty food business must register by submitting an application to the Registering Authority.) (Reg. 2.1.1) | Apply through FoSCoS portal by filing Form B under Schedule 2 and uploading basic documents (To be submitted to the State Licensing Authority.) (Reg.2.1.3) | Apply through FoSCoS portal by filing Form B under Schedule 2 uploading basic documents (To be submitted to the Central Licensing Authority.) (Reg.2.1.3) |
Fees | Fees for Registration Rs 100 per annum (Schedule 3) | As Specified under Schedule 3 of FSS Regulations, 2011 | Fees for License issued by Central Licensing Authority Rs 7,500 per annum (Schedule 3) |
Processing Timeline (Max. time to be taken by the authority to process a complete application) | Registration is granted within 7 days of receipt of an application for registration. | License shall be granted within a period of 60 days from the date of issue of an application ID number | License shall be granted within a period of 60 days from the date of issue of an application ID number |
Documents required | Supporting 10Documents: · Photo I.D proof like Driving License, Passport, Ration Card or Election ID card · Photograph of the Applicant · Business name and address · Nature of business details · Self-declaration in Annexure-1 under Schedule 2. | Supporting Documents: · Photo ID proof of the FBO · Proof of premises (e.g., rent agreement) · Business registration documents (Partnership Deed, Certificate of Incorporation, AOA, etc.) · List of food products · Food Safety Management System (FSMS) plan · Self-declaration in Annexure-1 under Schedule 2. Know More: A list of documents required has been released by FSSAI | Supporting Documents: · Photo ID proof of the FBO · Proof of premises (e.g., rent agreement) · Business registration documents (Partnership Deed, Certificate of Incorporation, AOA, etc.) · List of food products · Food Safety Management System (FSMS) plan · Import Export Code (IEC) Certificate – mandatory for businesses involved in import or export of food products. · Self-declaration in Annexure-1 under Schedule 2. Know More: A list of documents required has been released by FSSAI |
Validity | 1 to 5 years from the date of issue of License as chosen by the Food Business Operator from the date of issue of registration. | 1 to 5 years from the date of issue of License as chosen by the Food Business Operator from the date of issue of registration. | 1 to 5 years from the date of issue of License as chosen by the Food Business Operator from the date of issue of registration. |
Note: All Food Business operators shall ensure that the some conditions are complied with at all times during the course of its Food Business
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Penalties
Punishment for carrying out a business without license (Section 63):
Conclusion
Understanding and adhering to FSSAI registration and licensing requirements is not just a legal obligation—it is a responsibility to consumers and a commitment to food safety. Whether you’re running a cloud kitchen from your home, operating a food truck, managing a hotel kitchen, or building a pan-India FMCG brand, compliance with FSSAI norms is foundational to sustainable and ethical food business in India.
With the growing emphasis on transparency, traceability, and hygiene, the FSSAI regime offers a streamlined path for food businesses to grow responsibly while safeguarding consumer health. Ensuring proper registration or licensing is the first step toward building consumer trust and legal credibility in the Indian food market.
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