What is an FSSAI License and who needs it?
Food businesses in India need authorization from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. Turnover up to ₹1.5 crore needs Registration. Above ₹1.5 crore and up to ₹50 crore needs a State License. Above ₹50 crore needs a Central License. Some kinds of business need a higher tier whatever their turnover.
Key points
- There are three tiers: Registration, State License and Central License.
- Turnover sets the tier for most businesses, but Kind of Business can override it.
- Applications are filed on FoSCoS, the official FSSAI portal.
- Each premises generally needs its own registration or license.
- Licenses and registrations issued under the 2026 framework have perpetual validity.
What Is an FSSAI License?
FSSAI stands for the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. It was set up under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Anyone who makes, stores, sells, distributes or imports food is a Food Business Operator, or FBO. An FBO needs authorization before starting.
That authorization takes two forms. Small businesses get an FSSAI Registration, which many people search for as a basic license. Larger businesses get a License, either State or Central. A License involves more scrutiny and paperwork.
People say FSSAI license, licence or certificate for all of these. This guide says Registration or License where the difference matters.
Who Needs FSSAI Registration or a License?
Most businesses that handle food for sale need one or the other. The tier and the paperwork depend on the business type.
- Restaurants, cafés, bakeries, dhabas and caterers
- Cloud kitchens, home kitchens and tiffin services
- Manufacturers, processors, repackers and relabellers
- Retailers, wholesalers, distributors, warehouses and transporters
- Importers of food products
- Sellers on e-commerce platforms and food aggregators
Selling food online does not remove the need for authorization. Street vendors registered under the Street Vendors Act, 2014 are treated as registered under FSSAI. They still have to follow hygiene rules.
Which FSSAI Category Does Your Business Need?
From 1 April 2026, three turnover bands decide the basic category. They come from an FSSAI order dated 13 March 2026, issued after amendment regulations were notified on 10 March 2026.
| Category | Annual turnover | Typical businesses |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | Up to ₹1.5 crore | Home kitchens, small cloud kitchens, tiffin services, small retailers |
| State License | Above ₹1.5 crore and up to ₹50 crore | Restaurants, mid-size manufacturers, distributors, warehouses |
| Central License | Above ₹50 crore | Large manufacturers and large national operators |
The last column is a guide, not a rule. Your actual category also depends on your Kind of Business.
Kind of Business can change the answer
Turnover is only one test. Some kinds of business cannot use Registration even below ₹1.5 crore. Others need a Central License whatever their turnover. The Regulations list importers and businesses operating in two or more states under the Central Licensing Authority, for example. These rules differ by business type and change from time to time.
Take a small cloud kitchen with ₹80 lakh turnover. It would usually fall under Registration, subject to its Kind of Business. Check the eligibility matrix on FoSCoS for your exact activity before you apply.
What if you already hold a license
Existing holders are being moved to the revised category through FoSCoS,FSSAI’s guidance says no modification fee applies to that move. Watch FoSCoS notices for how it applies to your certificate.
Do You Need a Separate FSSAI License for Each Location?
In general, yes. Each premises at a separate address is treated on its own. A restaurant chain, a shop network or a factory with a warehouse usually needs an authorization for each address.
- Same local area. The Regulations allow one license to cover different premises in the same local area. That is the licensing authority’s call, so do not assume it.
- Two or more states. A business operating in two or more states is listed under the Central Licensing Authority. Ask how FoSCoS treats your outlets.
- Separate returns. A separate annual return is filed for every license, even if one FBO holds several.
Opening a new outlet usually means a new FSSAI licence application for that address. Moving an existing outlet is a modification instead. Turnover counting for category purposes can get complicated with many outlets, so confirm your position before you apply.
What Documents Do You Need for an FSSAI License?
The list depends on your Kind of Business and your category. FoSCoS shows the required documents once you select your business type. Registration usually needs fewer than a State or Central License.
- Identity. Government photo ID, passport-size photograph, mobile number and email address.
- Business. Proof of constitution, such as a partnership deed or incorporation certificate, and an authority letter naming the responsible person, where applicable. Other proof you hold, such as MSME or Udyam registration, can support the application.
- Premises. Rent agreement, ownership proof or a recent utility bill. A layout plan and equipment list where the license type asks for them.
- Business-specific. List of food products, water test report for manufacturing units, and a food safety management plan where required. Importers also need an Import Export Code. See our page on IEC registration.
Names and addresses must match across every document. A mismatch is a common reason for queries.
Not Sure Whether Your Business Needs an FSSAI License?
Get professional guidance from JSCertification to understand the applicable FSSAI registration or licensing requirements, eligibility, and documentation for your food business.
How to Apply for an FSSAI License Online
FoSCoS, the Food Safety Compliance System, is the official FSSAI portal. You can complete the FSSAI online application process through this portal for a new registration or license.
- Open the official FoSCoS portal and create or log in to your account.
- Start a new license or registration application.
- Select your Kind of Business. The portal may suggest a category from your business type and location.
- Enter your business and premises details, including the food products you handle.
- Complete the remaining sections, such as turnover and activity details.
- Upload the documents listed for your category.
- Pay the applicable government fee online.
- Submit the FSSAI application.
- Save the reference or application number.
- Track the application on FoSCoS.
- Answer any query the licensing authority raises.
- Complete an inspection or any other required step, where applicable.
- Receive the approval and download your certificate.
How to Apply for an FSSAI State License
Choose the FSSAI State License option with a Kind of Business that fits it. The FSSAI online application can be submitted through the official FoSCoS portal, where the state licensing authority handles the application.
How to apply for an FSSAI Central license
The steps are the same, but the central licensing authority handles the application. Check the Kind of Business rules first to confirm a Central License applies to your activity.
How Much Does an FSSAI License Cost?
There is no single FSSAI cost. The government fee depends on the applicable category and Kind of Business. Under the revised 2026 fee structure, FSSAI lists ₹100 for Registration, ₹5,000 for State License and ₹7,500 for Central License. Check FoSCoS for the fee applicable to your specific business.
| Category | Government fee listed by FSSAI for 2026 |
|---|---|
| Registration | ₹100 |
| State License | ₹5,000 |
| Central License | ₹7,500 |
Older fee schedules showed State License fees varying by business category. Confirm the FSSAI cost for your Kind of Business on FoSCoS before you pay.
Perpetual validity ends the routine renewal application. Under the perpetual-validity system, FBOs can select and pay fees for multiple years. FoSCoS shows how fee and return duties apply to your category.
A consultancy fee is a separate cost. A professional charges for document preparation, filing and follow-up. That money goes to the consultant, not to the government. You can also apply on FoSCoS yourself and pay only the government fee.
JS Certification is a private service provider. It is not a government authority and is not part of FSSAI.
How Long Does It Take to Get an FSSAI License?
The Licensing and Registration Regulations set outer time limits for the authority. They are limits, not promises, and real timing varies.
| Stage | Official limit | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Registration decision | 7 days from application | The authority grants, rejects with reasons, or orders an inspection. |
| Registration after inspection | 30 days | The authority decides once the inspection is ordered. |
| License scrutiny | 15 days | The authority can ask for missing information. You have 30 days to reply or the application is rejected. |
| License issue | 60 days from Application ID | The overall outer limit for a License. |
| License decision after inspection | 30 days from the report | This excludes the time you take to fix any issues raised. |
Actual time depends on your category, how accurate your documents are, whether queries arise, and whether an inspection is needed. The Regulations also contain a provision about starting business when no decision comes in time, with conditions attached. Do not rely on it without professional advice.
Be cautious about any promise of guaranteed approval within hours. Approval rests with the licensing authority, not with whoever files.
How Can You Check Your FSSAI Application Status?
Use the Track Application option on FoSCoS with your application or reference number. Typical stages include submission, scrutiny, query, inspection where applicable, and a decision. Labels on the portal may differ.
If a query is raised, reply with the exact details or documents requested, through the portal. An unanswered query can stall the application and, for a License, lead to rejection.
How Do You Download an FSSAI Certificate Online?
There is no separate FSSAI certificate to apply for. If you’re searching how to apply for an FSSAI certificate Online , this is the answer: you apply for the Registration or License itself, and the certificate is issued automatically once it’s approved. Here is how to download an FSSAI license online.
- Log in to FoSCoS with your account details.
- Open your approved application or license section.
- Download the certificate as a PDF and keep a backup.
Check the certificate straight away. Confirm your business name, address, Kind of Business and number. Request a correction if anything is wrong.
What Is an FSSAI Number and How Do You Verify It?
Your FSSAI number is the 14-digit number on your certificate. It is issued when your registration or license is approved. If you are asking how to get an FSSAI number, it comes with approval and cannot be obtained separately.
Use it wherever the rules require. That includes your premises and the labels of packaged food, along with the FSSAI logo. Online sellers should show it on their listings.
To verify a number, use the official FoSCoS portal or verification tools on official FSSAI pages. Check that the business name, address, Kind of Business and status match. Websites describe the meaning of each digit differently, so rely on FoSCoS instead of decoding the number yourself. Do not trust unofficial sites that claim to show license data.
Can You Modify Details on an FSSAI License?
Yes. Changes such as address, business name or contact details are made through the Modify option on FoSCoS. The Regulations expect you to inform the authority of changes before they happen. Some changes need supporting documents, and some may carry a fee.
How to change address in FSSAI license
- Log in to FoSCoS and choose the modification option.
- Select the license or registration you want to update.
- Enter the new address and upload proof of the new premises.
- Pay any applicable fee and submit.
- Track the request and download the updated certificate once approved.
Moving to another state can change the licensing authority. Check the requirement before you move.
What Is Food Product Endorsement on an FSSAI License?
A license lists the food products or categories you are authorized to handle. Adding to that list is called an endorsement or a modification. This mainly concerns manufacturers, processors, repackers and relabellers.
- Standardized products. On FoSCoS, manufacturers choose products from a standardized list linked to the food category system.
- Other products. A product outside that list is applied for under proprietary food, non-specified food, or supplements and nutraceuticals, as the case may be.
- New product on an existing license. If it is already endorsed on your license, no modification is needed. If not, apply for a modification before you start making it.
The license conditions say no product other than those indicated on the license should be produced. So a new product line needs an endorsement first. A fee may apply, and the authority may order an inspection.
Expert Tip:
Before applying, confirm the specific FSSAI License/Registration requirement based on your business type, food activities, turnover, and state. This helps avoid delays caused by applying under the wrong category or submitting incomplete information.
What Are the Current FSSAI Validity and Renewal Rules?
FSSAI licenses and registrations issued under the 2026 framework have perpetual validity. They remain valid unless suspended, cancelled or surrendered. Routine renewal is therefore not required, and old advice to renew every one to five years no longer applies to them.
Check older certificates on FoSCoS to see how they are treated.
Perpetual does not mean permanent. Inspections now follow a risk-based approach. Fee and return duties can still apply, and FBOs can select and pay fees for multiple years. Check FoSCoS for the duties that apply to your category.
Who Needs to File an FSSAI Annual Return?
Annual return requirements depend on the Kind of Business. Licensed manufacturers, processors, including repackers and relabellers, and importers are required to file the applicable annual return. A separate return is filed for each license.
The return is filed on FoSCoS for the previous financial year. Check FoSCoS for the current filing requirement, form and due date.
What FSSAI Compliance Rules Should Food Businesses Follow?
A lighter category does not mean lighter safety standards. The rules that apply depend on your business type.
- Hygiene. FSSAI Schedule 4 sets hygiene and sanitary standards. Read the part that applies to your business.
- Labelling. Packaged food must follow the FSSAI labelling regulations.
- Training and records. Some licensed businesses need a trained Food Safety Supervisor through FoSTaC. Keep the records your category needs.
Supplements fall under the nutraceutical regulations, and imports need FSSAI import clearance. Check the rules for your product before you launch.
Why Do FSSAI Applications Get Delayed or Rejected?
Most delays come from avoidable errors.
- Choosing the wrong Kind of Business, for example manufacturer for a restaurant
- Picking a category that ignores a Kind of Business rule
- Missing or unclear documents
- Name or address that does not match across documents
- Queries left unanswered, which can lead to rejection of a License application
- Issues found during an inspection, where one is required
Check each entry before you submit. Fixing an error after a query costs more time than getting it right first.
What Happens If a Business Operates Without Required FSSAI Authorization?
Section 63 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 covers carrying on a food business without a required license. It provides for imprisonment that may extend to six months and a fine that may extend to ₹5 lakh. Persons exempted from licensing under the Act are outside this section.
The outcome in a real case depends on the facts and the findings of the authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
An FSSAI License is a State or Central authorization for larger food businesses. Registration is the lighter tier for small businesses with turnover up to ₹1.5 crore. Both let a business operate legally.
From 1 April 2026, Registration covers turnover up to ₹1.5 crore. State License covers above ₹1.5 crore and up to ₹50 crore. Central License covers above ₹50 crore.
Here's how to get an FSSAI licence: apply on the FoSCoS portal. Start a new application, select your Kind of Business, enter details, upload documents, pay the government fee, submit, and save your reference number.
The Regulations set outer limits, such as 7 days for a registration decision and 60 days for a License from the Application ID. Actual time depends on documents, queries and inspection.
The Regulations set outer limits, such as 7 days for a registration decision and 60 days for a License from the Application ID. Actual time depends on documents, queries and inspection.
Use the Track Application option on FoSCoS with your application or reference number. If a query is raised, reply with the requested details or documents through the portal.
Log in to FoSCoS, open your approved application or license section, and download the certificate. Check the name, address, Kind of Business and number after downloading.
Verify it through FoSCoS or official FSSAI tools. Confirm that the business name, address, Kind of Business and status match. Do not rely on unofficial websites.
In general, each premises needs its own registration or license. A single license can cover different premises in the same local area at the authority's discretion. Businesses in two or more states fall under the Central Licensing Authority.
Yes. Submit a modification request on FoSCoS. A new product not endorsed on your license needs a modification before you start making it. A fee may apply, depending on the change.
