The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) was established under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 with two primary goals.
First, it aimed to unify and streamline the various food-related laws and regulations that were previously administered by different ministries and departments. Second, it was created to introduce science-based standards for the manufacture, processing, storage, distribution, import, and sale of food products, ensuring that food meant for human consumption is safe and of good quality.
FSSAI functions as the central authority for framing food safety standards, rules, and regulations in India and operates under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. By bringing multiple food laws under one framework, it established a single regulatory body responsible for overseeing food safety across the country.
As a result, all food business operators are required to follow the guidelines prescribed under the Act and obtain FSSAI registration or license, depending on the nature and scale of their operations.
Professional FSSAI registration consultants can assist businesses in obtaining the required food license quickly and ensure that all documentation and compliance requirements are properly fulfilled.
An FSSAI Registration Certificate is mandatory for certain categories of Food Business Operators (FBOs) whose annual turnover exceeds ₹12 lakhs.
The following entities are required to obtain registration:
Individuals or businesses involved in the manufacture or sale of food products
Food retailers, itinerant vendors, and hawkers
Operators of temporary or permanent food stalls
Medium and large-scale food processing or manufacturing units
Any food business operator whose annual turnover crosses ₹12 lakhs
Apart from turnover criteria, registration or licensing under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is also determined based on production or procurement capacity. It becomes compulsory in the following cases:
When daily production of food items exceeds 100 kg or 100 litres
When daily procurement, handling, or collection of milk is more than 500 litres
When slaughtering capacity per day exceeds 2 large animals, 10 small animals, or 50 poultry birds
However, small food businesses with an annual turnover below ₹12 lakhs are generally not required to obtain an FSSAI license, though basic registration may still be advisable depending on the nature of their operations.
Once a food license is successfully obtained, a unique 14-digit registration or license number is issued by the concerned authority. This number is usually displayed on food packaging along with the FSSAI logo, indicating that the product complies with regulatory standards.
Obtaining a food license under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India ensures compliance with government norms and significantly enhances consumer confidence in the brand. Some of the key advantages of FSSAI registration are outlined below:
Modern consumers are more conscious about food quality, ingredients, and safety standards. When a product carries an FSSAI registration number, it reassures customers that the food meets prescribed safety guidelines. This trust factor helps attract and retain a larger customer base.
Displaying the FSSAI license number on food products strengthens the brand’s credibility. It reflects quality assurance and regulatory compliance, giving registered businesses a competitive advantage over unregistered operators. This official recognition helps position the brand as reliable and trustworthy in the market.
An FSSAI license contributes to building a strong reputation, which supports business expansion. Registered and reputed food businesses often find it easier to obtain financial assistance from banks and investors for scaling operations. A recognized brand presence increases the likelihood of long-term success.
Holding an FSSAI license helps prevent misuse of the brand name and protects the business from legal penalties arising due to non-compliance with food safety regulations. It ensures that the business operates within the legal framework, reducing the risk of fines or closure.
All medium and large food businesses must obtain proper legal registration before starting or continuing operations. Similar to how GST registration varies depending on the structure of a business (such as proprietorship or private limited company), FSSAI registration also differs based on the size and turnover of the food business. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has categorized food licenses into different types according to eligibility and scale of operations.
Below are the three main categories of FSSAI Registration and their applicability:
(For annual turnover below ₹12 lakhs)
Basic Registration is meant for small-scale food businesses whose yearly turnover does not exceed ₹12 lakhs. It is ideal for start-ups, home-based food businesses, petty retailers, and small vendors entering the food industry. Turnover for this purpose is calculated on an annual basis.
(For annual turnover between ₹12 lakhs and ₹20 crores)
The State License is required for medium-sized food businesses whose annual turnover exceeds ₹12 lakhs but does not cross ₹20 crores. This category is suitable for growing food enterprises that have expanded beyond the small business stage and operate within a particular state.
(For annual turnover above ₹20 crores)
The Central License is mandatory for large food businesses with an annual turnover exceeding ₹20 crores. It is also required for businesses involved in import-export activities or those supplying food products to government departments and agencies.
Each type of registration or license—Basic, State, or Central—has specific eligibility conditions based on turnover, scale of operation, and nature of business activities.
An FSSAI Central License issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is mandatory for large-scale food businesses, importers, exporters, and entities operating at a national or international level. The eligibility is primarily based on production capacity, turnover, and the nature of operations.
Below is a categorized overview of businesses that require a Central License:
The following manufacturers must obtain a Central License:
Dairy Units, including milk chilling or processing plants handling more than 50,000 litres of liquid milk per day or 2,500 MT of milk solids annually.
Vegetable Oil Processing Units, including solvent extraction plants and refineries (including oil expeller units) with production exceeding 2 MT per day.
Slaughterhouses processing more than 50 large animals per day, 150 small animals per day, or 1,000 poultry birds per day.
Meat Processing Units with a capacity above 500 kg per day or 150 MT per annum.
Food Processing Units, including relabellers and repackers (excluding cereal, pulse, and grain milling units) with production above 2 MT per day.
Manufacturers of Proprietary Foods, irrespective of production limits.
100% Export Oriented Units, regardless of turnover or capacity.
All businesses importing food products—including food additives and ingredients for commercial purposes—must obtain a Central License, irrespective of the quantity imported.
Central License is required for:
Storage facilities (other than controlled atmosphere or cold storage) with capacity exceeding 50,000 MT.
Cold or refrigerated storage units with capacity above 1,000 MT.
Controlled atmosphere storage combined with cold storage exceeding 1,000 MT capacity.
The following businesses must apply for a Central License if they cross the specified turnover limits:
Wholesalers – Turnover above ₹30 crores
Retailers – Turnover above ₹20 crores
Distributors – Turnover above ₹20 crores
Suppliers – Turnover above ₹20 crores
Caterers – Turnover above ₹20 crores
Restaurants – Turnover above ₹20 crores
Marketers – Turnover above ₹20 crores
Transporters – Turnover above ₹30 crores or operating more than 100 vehicles/wagons
Hotels – Five-star category and above
A Central License is mandatory for food businesses operating within Central Government premises, including:
Catering services in Defence or Military establishments
Food services at seaports and airports
Storage, wholesale, retail, and distribution units located in Central Government agencies
This applies to major seaports such as Kandla, Kolkata, Tuticorin, Marmagoa, Cochin, Visakhapatnam, Chennai, Mumbai, and JNPT, as well as airports located in cities like Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Trichy, Cochin, and Trivandrum.
If a Food Business Operator (FBO) has business premises in more than one State, it is compulsory to obtain a Central License for the Head Office or Registered Office. Additionally, separate registration or licenses must be secured for each operational unit located in different States.
A State License under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is required for medium-scale food businesses that fall between the limits prescribed for Basic Registration and Central License. Eligibility is generally determined based on production capacity and annual turnover.
Below is a structured overview of businesses that qualify for an FSSAI State License:
The following manufacturers are required to obtain a State License:
Dairy Units, including milk chilling or processing plants handling between 501 litres and 50,000 litres of milk per day, or producing between 2.5 MT and 2,500 MT of milk solids per year.
Vegetable Oil Processing Units, including solvent extraction plants and oil refineries (including expeller units), with production up to 2 MT per day and annual turnover exceeding ₹12 lakhs.
Slaughterhouses processing:
More than 2 but fewer than 50 large animals per day
More than 10 but up to 150 small animals per day
More than 50 but up to 1,000 poultry birds per day
Meat Processing Units handling up to 500 kg of meat per day or up to 150 MT annually.
Food Processing Units, including relabellers and repackers, with production capacity ranging from 100 kg/litre per day up to 2 MT per day. This category also covers cereal, pulse, and grain milling units.
State License is applicable for the following storage capacities:
Storage facilities (other than controlled atmosphere and cold storage) with capacity up to 50,000 MT.
Cold or refrigerated storage units with capacity up to 10,000 MT.
Controlled atmosphere storage combined with cold storage facilities with capacity up to 1,000 MT.
The following businesses require a State License if they operate within the mentioned turnover limits:
Wholesalers – Turnover up to ₹30 crores
Retailers – Turnover up to ₹20 crores
Distributors – Turnover up to ₹20 crores
Suppliers – Turnover up to ₹20 crores
Caterers – Turnover up to ₹20 crores
Restaurants – Turnover up to ₹20 crores
Marketers – Turnover up to ₹20 crores
Transporters – Operating up to 100 vehicles/wagons or having turnover up to ₹30 crores
The following food establishments must obtain a State License if their annual turnover exceeds ₹12 lakhs:
Dhabas and boarding houses serving food
Home-based canteens or dabbawalas
Banquet halls providing catering services
Temporary or permanent food stall holders
Food stalls at religious fairs or similar events
Fish, meat, or poultry shops and other food vending outlets
Clubs and canteens
Hotels rated three-star and above but below five-star, or hotels up to three-star category with turnover exceeding ₹12 lakhs per annum
In summary, the State License is suitable for medium-scale food businesses that operate within the specified production and turnover thresholds and do not qualify for either Basic Registration or Central License.
Food catering services operating within establishments or units managed by Central Government agencies—such as Railways, Defence services, airports, and seaports—are required to obtain the appropriate FSSAI license.
This includes catering activities carried out at airports and seaports that are not located in major notified ports such as Kandla, Tuticorin, Visakhapatnam, Kolkata, Marmagoa, Cochin, Mumbai, Chennai, and JNPT, or airports other than those situated in cities like Kolkata, Trichy, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Amritsar, Cochin, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Trivandrum, and Ahmedabad.
In such cases, food business operators functioning within Central Government premises must ensure compliance with the licensing requirements prescribed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
While applying for an FSSAI license or registration in India, certain essential documents must be submitted along with the application. Proper documentation ensures smooth processing and timely approval under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
The key documents generally required include:
Rent Agreement – If the business premises are rented, a valid rent or lease agreement must be provided as proof of possession.
Entity Proof – Legal documents establishing the constitution of the business, such as incorporation certificate, partnership deed, or proprietorship proof.
List of Food Products – A detailed list of food items that the business intends to manufacture, distribute, or sell.
Photograph and Identity Proof – Passport-size photograph along with a valid government-issued identity document of the applicant or authorized signatory.
Submitting accurate and complete documentation helps in avoiding delays in obtaining the FSSAI registration certificate.
The procedure for obtaining a food license is simple and generally completed in four main stages under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India:
The first step is to file the prescribed application form with the Food Safety Department. For basic registration, the applicant is required to submit Form A along with the necessary documents.
After submission, the concerned authority examines the application and supporting documents. The department communicates its decision—approval or rejection—within 7 days from the date of filing the application.
If the application is approved, the department grants a Registration Certificate. This certificate contains a unique registration number along with the photograph of the applicant.
Once issued, the Food Business Operator (FBO) must prominently display the Registration Certificate at the business premises as proof of compliance.
The provisions governing registration and licensing are laid down under Sections 31(1) and 31(2) of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.
The process is regulated by the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.
An Online Food Licensing and Registration System has been introduced to simplify and streamline the application process for food business operators.
Schedule 4 of the 2011 Regulations specifies the sanitary and hygienic standards that must be followed and serves as the inspection benchmark for compliance.
These steps and guidelines ensure that food businesses operate in accordance with prescribed safety and hygiene standards.
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