Registration
Food License (FSSAI) Registration

FSSAI registration is a crucial requirement for anyone engaged in the food industry, including individuals looking to establish a restaurant, bakery, hotel, cloud kitchen, or food stall in India. All Food Business Operators (FBOs), which encompass entities or individuals involved in the manufacturing, preparation, sale, transportation, distribution, and storage of food items/products, are also legally obligated to obtain FSSAI registration in order to operate their food business.

FSSAI represents the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. This organization oversees and regulates the entire food industry in India. It operates as an autonomous entity established under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

The FSSAI was created under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act), which serves as a comprehensive law concerning food safety and regulation in India. It guarantees that food products are subjected to quality assessments, thus reducing food adulteration and the distribution of substandard items. Additionally, it is tasked with the registration and licensing of Food Business Operators (FBOs) in India and establishes the guidelines and regulations for conducting food business in the country.

FSSAI Registration

Every individual (whether natural or artificial) engaged in the food industry, including the manufacturing, processing, storage, distribution, and sale of food products, is required to obtain FSSAI Registration or License without exception.

FSSAI Registration differs from the FSSAI License based on the size and nature of the business. Food Business Operators (FBOs) must secure the appropriate registration or license according to the scale of their operations.

FSSAI Registration consists of a 14-digit registration or license number that appears on all food packaging. This 14-digit number provides information regarding the state of assembly and the producer’s authorization. The purpose of this registration process is to enhance accountability among FBOs in maintaining the quality of food products.

The procedures and requirements for licensing and registration are governed by the Food Safety & Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Business) Regulations, 2011.

Food Business Operators (FBOs) Who Require FSSAI Registration

FBOs engaged in the following types of business must obtain an FSSAI Registration/License without exception:

  • Petty retailers and retail shops such as a retail shop, snacks shop, confectionery or bakery, etc.
  • Temporary stalls or fixed stall or food premise involved in the preparation, distribution, storage and sale of food products such as Gol Gappa stall, chat stall, fruits/vegetable vendors, tea stall, snacks stall, bread pakoda stall, samosa stall, chinese food stall, South Indian food stall, sweet stall, juice shops, etc.
  • Hawkers who sell packaged or freshly prepared food by travelling (usually on foot or movable carts) from one location to another.
  • Dairy units including milk chilling units, petty milkman and milk vendors.
  • Vegetable oil processing units.
  • Slaughtering houses such as meat shops, mutton shops, chicken shops, lamb meat, etc.
  • Meat processing and fish processing units.
  • All food manufacturing or processing units that include repacking of food.
  • Proprietary food and Novel food.
  • Cold/refrigerated storage facility.
  • Transporter of food products having a number of specialised vehicles like insulated refrigerated van/wagon, milk tankers, food wagons, food trucks, etc.
  • Wholesaler, supplier, distributor and marketer of food products.
  • Hotels, restaurants and bars.
  • Canteens and cafeteria including mid-day meal canteens.
  • Food vending agencies and caterer.
  • Dhaba, PG providing food, Banquet halls with food catering arrangements, home based canteens and food stalls in fairs or religious institutions.
  • Importers and exporters of food items including food ingredients.
  • E-commerce food suppliers including cloud kitchens.

The specific FSSAI license or registration needed for each of the aforementioned business types is determined by their eligibility criteria. The eligibility criteria for every type of business and corresponding license or registration is provided on the FSSAI website.

Types of FSSAI Registration

FSSAI registration depends on the type of business, its turnover, and production capacity.

Based on the installed capacity and turnover, Food Business Operators (FBOs) can qualify for various licenses, including a basic license, a central license, and a state license.

FSSAI Basic Registration: FBOs with an annual turnover of less than Rs.12 lakh are required to secure FSSAI basic registration. To obtain this registration, the applicant must complete Form A, which is the FSSAI registration form.

FSSAI State License: FBOs with an annual turnover exceeding Rs.12 lakh and below Rs.20 crore are required to secure the FSSAI state license. To obtain this license, applicants must complete Form B, which is the FSSAI registration form.

FSSAI Central License: FBOs with an annual turnover exceeding Rs.20 crore are required to secure the FSSAI central license. To obtain this license, applicants must complete Form B, which is the FSSAI registration form.

Procedure for Obtaining FSSAI Registration Online

  • FBOs can obtain FSSAI registration online by filling and submitting the FSSAI registration form, i.e. Form A (application for Registration) or Form B (application for State and Central License) on the FoSCoS portal. The FBOs can also register offline by submitting Form A or Form B to the Food and Safety Department.
  • The FSSAI registration form must be accompanied by the required documents. The documents must be uploaded online on the FoSCos portal at the time of filling the application or submitted to the Food and Safety Department along with the application physically.
  • The FSSAI registration form can be accepted or it may be rejected by the Department within 7 days from the date of receipt of an application either physically or online through the FoSCoS portal. If the application is rejected it has to be intimated to the applicant in writing.
  • The Department will scrutinise the documents submitted.
  • The Department may conduct an inspection of the food premises, before granting the FSSAI registration certificate, if necessary.
  • If the Department is satisfied that the FBO meets all the required criteria, then it will grant an FSSAI registration certificate with the registration number and the photo of the applicant email ID. The applicant can also download the FSSAI registration certificate by logging into the FoSCoS portal.
  • FBO should prominently display the certificate of FSSAI registration at the place of business during business hours.

FSSAI Registration Eligibility

FSSAI Registration is a basic license and it is required for all the FBOs involved in the small-scale food business. This category covers the following businesses:

  • Any FBO with an annual turnover of not more than Rs. 12 lakh.
  • Petty retailer dealing in food products.
  • Any person who manufactures or sells any food article by himself.
  • Food sale is done by the temporary stall holder.
  • Any individual who distributes food in any religious or social gathering except a caterer.
  • Small-scale or cottage industries dealing in the food business. 
  • Small businesses having the following food capacity limits:
Sl.NoBusinessCapacity
1Food production (other than milk and meat)Up to 100 kg/ltr per day
2Procurement, handling and collection of milkUp to 500 ltr per day
3Slaughtering 2 large animals or 10 small animals or 50 poultry birds per day or less
4Transportation Single vehicle
5Vending machineUp to 12 vending machines in only one state/UT

FSSAI License Eligibility

For all FBOs other than small-scale enterprises, it is necessary to acquire the FSSAI license. The FSSAI License is divided into two categories: the State FSSAI License and the Central FSSAI License, which are determined by the size of the business, whether it is medium or large scale.

State FSSAI License

Medium-sized manufacturing units, transporters, marketers, traders, and similar entities must obtain State FSSAI registration from the State Government. This category includes the following types of businesses:

  • FBOs are required to have a turnover ranging from Rs 12 lakh to Rs 20 crore (Rs 30 crore for transportation businesses and wholesalers)
  • All grains, cereals, pulses milling units without any limit on production capacity
  • Medium-scale businesses having the following food capacity limits:
Sl.NoBusinessCapacity
1Food production (other than milk and meat)1 MT to 2MT per day
2Procurement, handling and collection of milk501 to 50,000 ltr per day
3Slaughtering 3-50 large animals or 11-150 small animals or 51-1,000 poultry birds per day
4StorageUp to 10,000 MT
5Transportation 100 vehicles
6HotelOne, Two, Three and Four star rating
7Vending machineUp to 100 vending machines in only one state/UT

The tenure of the license issued is a maximum of 5 years and a minimum of 1 year.

Central FSSAI License

FBOs that are significant manufacturers, importers, and exporters engaged in large-scale food operations must secure Central FSSAI registration from the Central Government. This category includes the following types of businesses:

  • FBOs are required to have a turnover exceeding Rs 20 crore (Rs 30 crore for transportation businesses and wholesalers)
  • Monitoring FBOs regardless of their revenue or business scale:
    • Food businesses operating in two or more states.
    • Importers and exporters.
    • Proprietary food and Non-specified food. 
    • Food or health supplements and Nutraceuticals.
    • Radiation processing of foods.
    • Food Business Activities at premises of Central Govt Agencies
    • Caterers, restaurants, canteens, hawkers or petty retailers at the premises of railway stations
    • E-commerce food business
  • Large-scale businesses having the following food capacity limits:
Sl.NoBusinessCapacity
1Food production (other than milk and meat)More than 2MT per day
2Procurement, handling and collection of milkMore than 50,000 ltr per day
3Slaughtering More than 50 large animals or more than 150 small animals or more than 1,000 poultry birds per day
4StorageMore than 10,000 MT
5Transportation More than 100 vehicles
6HotelFive star and above rating
7Vending machineMore than 100 vending machines located in two or more states/UTs

The tenure of the license issued is a maximum of 5 years and a minimum of 1 year.