What is FSSAI registration?
FSSAI registration is the basic legal permission for small food businesses in India. It is issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Larger or higher-risk businesses need an FSSAI State or Central License instead. All are applied for on the FoSCoS portal.
Anyone who makes, stores, sells, serves or distributes food is a Food Business Operator (FBO). That includes restaurants, cloud kitchens, home food sellers, manufacturers, traders, e-commerce sellers and importers. Each FBO must hold the registration or licence that matches its activity and size.
Which one do you need: Registration, State License or Central License?
Turnover is the starting point, not the only test. Your category also depends on your Kind of Business (KoB) in FoSCoS. Some activities, such as import, e-commerce and export manufacturing, need a Central License whatever the turnover.
| Category | Typical fit | Govt fee (per FoSCoS chart) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Registration | Turnover up to ₹1.5 crore for most KoBs | ₹100 |
| State License | Above ₹1.5 crore and up to ₹50 crore; some activities regardless of turnover | ₹5,000 |
| Central License | Above ₹50 crore; importers, e-commerce, exporter-manufacturers, 100% EOUs, multi-state head offices and others | ₹7,500 |
What are the 2026 FSSAI turnover limits and validity rules?
From 1 April 2026: Registration up to ₹1.5 crore, State License above ₹1.5 crore up to ₹50 crore, Central License above ₹50 crore. The old registration limit was ₹12 lakh. Registrations and licences now have perpetual validity, subject to risk-based inspections.
₹ 1.5 Cr
Registration limit (earlier ₹12 lakh)
₹ 50 Cr
State License ceiling
10 Mar 2026
Amendment Regulations notified
1 Apr 2026
New thresholds effective
FSSAI’s order dated 13 March 2026 sets the limits and supersedes earlier turnover orders. The official press release also confirms instant registration for small operators, no pre-inspection for them, and deemed registration for street vendors registered under the Street Vendors Act, 2014.
Perpetual does not mean “no obligations.”
The exact way annual fees and returns work for older licences and new ones is best confirmed on your FoSCoS dashboard before you pay. Blogs disagree on this point, so do not rely on them.
What documents are required for FSSAI registration?
Basic Registration needs the least paperwork: an ID proof, a photograph and basic business and product details. A State or Central License adds premises proof, business constitution documents and process or plant details.
| Business type | What to keep ready |
|---|---|
| Restaurant / cloud kitchen / home food business | Owner ID and photo, address proof of premises, food menu or product list; for licence, layout and constitution documents |
| Manufacturer / processor | Plant layout, machinery list, product categories, water quality report and food safety plan where asked |
| Trader / distributor / retailer | ID, premises proof (own or rent), storage details, business constitution |
| Repacker / relabeller | Source-supplier details, product list, premises proof; relabellers should note their manufacturer’s licence |
| E-commerce food business | Central License application with business documents and head-office details |
| Importer / exporter | Central License documents plus IEC; check FoSCoS for the extra papers under your KoB |
How much does FSSAI registration cost?
Government fees in FSSAI’s KoB chart are ₹100 for registration, ₹5,000 for a State License and ₹7,500 for a Central License. Some KoBs differ: hawkers and Anganwadi centres are shown at ₹0, and railway or central-agency canteens at ₹2,000.
Professional fees are separate. They cover document checks, choosing the right KoB, filing and follow-up. You can apply yourself on FoSCoS at only the government fee. FSSAI’s chart lists fees per annum, so check your payment screen for how the fee is collected under perpetual validity.
How to apply for FSSAI registration online
- Pick your KoB. Read the eligibility for your activity, not just your turnover.
- Register on FoSCoS with mobile and email OTP.
- Fill the form. Basic Registration uses Form A; licences use Form B.
- Upload documents and add each product category you handle.
- Pay the government fee online.
- Track status using “Track Application” on FoSCoS. If the officer raises a query, reply with corrected documents inside the portal.
- Download the certificate and display it at the premises.
FoSCoS help: helpdesk-foscos@fssai.gov.in or 1800-11-2100. Changes in address, KoB or products go through “Modify”.
FSSAI requirements by business type
Restaurants and cloud kitchens
Hotels, restaurants and canteens follow turnover bands, though hotels also depend on star rating (five-star and above need Central). A cloud kitchen preparing food is a food-service business, so select the matching restaurant/caterer-type KoB.
Manufacturers, processors and startups
General manufacturing follows turnover bands. But dairy, meat, health supplements, proprietary foods and non-specified foods have their own rules; supplements, proprietary and non-specified foods need a Central License with no turnover limit. Grain, cereal and pulse mills need a State License without a turnover limit.
Traders, distributors and retailers
Wholesalers, distributors, retailers and storage units all follow the ₹1.5 crore / ₹50 crore bands.
E-commerce food businesses and importers
Both are listed as Central License with no turnover restriction. Importers must also complete import clearance separately.
Do food exporters need an FSSAI licence?
Yes, a Central License applies to several exporter categories. FSSAI lists Exporter–Manufacturer, Trader/Merchant–Exporter and 100% Export Oriented Units under Central License with no turnover limit.
FSSAI is only one part of exporting. Export also needs an Import Export Code (IEC) from DGFT, and, depending on the product and destination, other approvals or buyer-country rules. Confirm those with the authority concerned; this guide covers only the FSSAI side.
When should you take professional help?
Consider help if your KoB is unclear, you handle several product categories, you operate in more than one State, you need a Central License, or your application has received repeated queries.
About JS Certification
JS Certification lists FSSAI License among its services, along with ISO certification (including Food Safety Management Systems), HACCP, GHP, IEC, MSME and GST registration. Its listed address is 0,Mau, Mohanlal ganj Lucknow -226301. Its website states that pricing is discussed after understanding your requirement, so ask for a written quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is the basic food-business permission for small operators, issued by FSSAI through FoSCoS.
Any FBO that makes, stores, sells, serves or distributes food, at the category matching its activity and turnover.
Registration is for small businesses (up to ₹1.5 crore for most KoBs). Licences are State or Central and involve more documents and higher fees.
Up to ₹1.5 crore: registration. ₹1.5–50 crore: State License. Above ₹50 crore: Central License, effective 1 April 2026.
No. Activity matters too, for example imports, e-commerce, exports and supplements.
ID and photo for registration; premises, constitution and process documents for licences. Follow the FoSCoS list for your KoB.
₹100, ₹5,000 or ₹7,500 for registration, State and Central License respectively, per FSSAI's KoB chart.
Create an account on FoSCoS, choose your KoB, fill Form A or B, upload documents and pay.
Use “Track Application” on FoSCoS.
FSSAI has approved perpetual validity, so renewal cycles are being removed. Check your FoSCoS account for how it applies to your existing licence.
Saurabh Singh - Certified Lead Auditor & ISO Consultant
Saurabh Singh has more than 5 years of experience as a compliance specialist and lead auditor, helping businesses get regulatory approvals and certifications in India and abroad. As the CEO & Lead Auditor at JS Certification, he supports clients with BIS registration, ISI & CRS approvals, EPR compliance, NABL accreditation, and product testing services. He works directly with manufacturers, importers, and brands to make the certification process easier, from preparing documents to completing final approvals.
Saurabh Singh - Certified Lead Auditor & ISO Consultant
Saurabh Singh has more than 5 years of experience as a compliance specialist and lead auditor, helping businesses get regulatory approvals and certifications in India and abroad. As the CEO & Lead Auditor at JS Certification, he supports clients with BIS registration, ISI & CRS approvals, EPR compliance, NABL accreditation, and product testing services. He works directly with manufacturers, importers, and brands to make the certification process easier, from preparing documents to completing final approvals.
