FSSAI License is a mandatory certification issued by food safety authorities under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for medium-sized food businesses operating within a state. It primarily applies to Food Business Operators (FBOs) with annual turnover between ₹12 lakhs and ₹20 crores.

This includes restaurants, manufacturers, caterers, cloud kitchens, storage units, distributors, retailers, transporters, and businesses involved in manufacturing, storage, transportation, retailing, or marketing food products.

FSSAI License is an essential legal certification for food businesses in India. It ensures that your business follows food safety standards and can legally operate without compliance issues.

It is required for restaurants, food manufacturers, distributors, caterers, storage facilities, cloud kitchens, retailers, and transporters involved in food-related business activities.

1. Basic Registration

Applicable for small food businesses with annual turnover up to ₹12 lakhs including hawkers, petty retailers, and home-based businesses.

• Uses Form A
• Validity: 1–5 Years
• Low production limits apply

2. State License

Medium businesses with turnover between ₹12 lakhs and ₹20 crores require State License.

• Application through Form B
• Validity: 1–5 Years
• Suitable for restaurants, distributors, manufacturers

3. Central License

Large businesses with turnover exceeding ₹20 crores or involved in imports/exports require Central License.

• Required for interstate operations
• Mandatory for large manufacturers
• Applicable for import/export businesses

FSSAI License is mandatory for medium-sized food businesses in India operating within a single location, typically those with an annual turnover between ₹12 lakhs and ₹20 crores. This includes a wide range of Food Business Operators (FBOs) such as manufacturers and processors of medium-scale food products, storage units excluding large cold storage facilities, wholesalers, retailers, and distributors involved in intra-state supply chains. Additionally, food service providers like restaurants, hotels (below 5-star rating), dhabas, caterers, canteens, and cloud kitchens fall under this category, ensuring they meet hygiene and safety standards without needing interstate operations.

Transporters handling food with up to 100 vehicles within one along with relabellers, repackers, and marketers of food items, also require the FSSAI License to comply with regulations. These businesses must apply using Form B, providing proof of premises, product details, and other documents to the authority. Unlike small-scale petty vendors or hawkers eligible for basic registration, or large exporters needing central licenses, license holders support regional growth while adhering to FSSAI norms.

• PAN Card copy of the Company
• COI, MOA & AOA copy of the Company
• PAN Card copy of all Directors
• Aadhaar Card copy of all Directors
• Passport Size Photo of all Directors
• Rent Agreement copy of the Premises
• Electricity Bill of the Premises
• NOC of the Premises

Basic Registration

FSSAI License eligibility is based on a business’s annual turnover and scale of operations, with three main types applicable to manufacturers.

This applies to small-scale food businesses with turnover up to ₹12 lakhs annually, such as petty hawkers, vendors, or units with daily production not exceeding 100 kg/litre (excluding milk/meat specifics), ensuring basic compliance for micro operations.

State License

Medium-sized businesses qualify with turnover between ₹12 lakhs and ₹20 crores, covering mid-level processing units, dairy/meat processors within state limits, vegetable oil units up to 2 MT/day, and intra-state operations like repackaging.

Central License

Large-scale businesses with turnover above ₹20 crores, multi-state operations, exporters/importers, or high-capacity units (e.g., meat over 500 kg/day, oil over 2 MT/day) must obtain this license, issued by the central FSSAI authority for nationwide or international compliance.

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FSSAI License fees are determined by the chosen validity period from 1 yrs to 5 yrs and the government fee is 2000 to 5000/ per year depend nature of the business, and the location of premise, and our professional fee for filling the application and preparing documents are subject to nature of business and the location of premise

Understanding turnover limits helps you avoid applying under the wrong category.

The FSSAI License offers legal compliance for medium-sized food businesses in India, shielding operators from penalties like fines up to ₹5 lakhs, product seizures, or business closures under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. It mandates adherence to hygiene, quality, and safety norms, ensuring standardised operations across manufacturing, storage, distribution, and service sectors within a single.
This license builds consumer trust and brand credibility by allowing the FSSAI logo on packaging, menus, and promotions, differentiating licensed businesses from unregistered competitors and fostering loyalty in a competitive market. It unlocks opportunities like B2B contracts, e-commerce listings on platforms such as Swiggy or Zomato, government tenders, and easier access to bank loans or financial aid for expansion.
Additionally, the FSSAI License supports market growth by enabling statewide operations without interstate restrictions, provides access to FoSTaC training for staff, and reduces risks of health hazards or legal disputes through regular audits and updates from state authorities.

FSSAI License renewal ensures continuous legal compliance for medium-sized food businesses and is handled online through the FoSCoS portal. The renewal process can be started up to 120 days before the expiry date of the existing license.

Steps to Renew FSSAI License

• Log into foscos.fssai.gov.in, go to “Renewal,” select “Apply for renewal,” choose the license, edit communication details/documents as needed (premises/products non-editable), pay fees, and get a 17-digit.
• Alternatively, from homepage: Enter license number, expiry date, captcha; proceed to Form B for uploads/payment.
• Processing takes 30 days for Licenses; businesses can operate using the old number post-application..

Fees match new applications (₹2,000/year base + GST); no fine if applied 90+ days early, but ₹100/day post-90 days until expiry. Upload updated docs like NOC, water tests if required; download renewed PDF upon approval.

Non-compliance with FSSAI License requirements can lead to severe legal and financial consequences for food businesses in India.

• Operating without a valid license – Imprisonment up to 6 months and a fine of up to ₹5 lakhs (Section 63, FSSAI Act)
• Selling substandard or unsafe food – Fine up to ₹5 lakhs, with higher penalties in cases involving injury or death
• Unsanitary conditions or failure to follow Food Safety Officer directions – Fines up to ₹1–2 lakhs

Subsequent violations double penalties, add daily fines up to ₹1 lakh, license suspension/cancellation, or business closure. Product seizures and compounding fees also apply.

Step-1 - Preparing Documentation

Step-2 - Filling Application

Step-3 - Paying the Government Fees

Step-4 - Submit the Application

Step-5 - Scrutinizing and Issuing the Certificate