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Food Safety Compliance

FSSAI Registration & Food License Online

Choose the appropriate FSSAI registration or licence and prepare your FoSCoS application.

Turnaround: Registration: usually 7–30 days; licences: up to 60 days under the prescribed process
Activity and turnover-based eligibility assessment
Production-capacity and special-category checks
Form A or Form B preparation
Food category and premises document review
Professional Fee From
₹1,299/Registration: usually 7–30 days; licences: up to 60 days under the prescribed process
100% Online

FoSCoS government fees depend on registration or licence category, activity and selected validity and are separate from professional fees.

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Written by the LawLine legal & compliance editorial teamReviewed for accuracy against official government sourcesLast updated:

Quick answer

FSSAI registration or licence is mandatory for any business that makes, stores, sells or distributes food in India. From 1 April 2026, FSSAI has set the registration limit at turnover up to ₹1.5 crore, a State licence up to ₹50 crore and a Central licence above that. You apply on the FoSCoS portal.

Also searched as: food license · how to get fssai license

Overview

What you need to know about FSSAI Registration & Food License Online

The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 requires food business operators to hold the appropriate registration or licence unless a specific exemption applies. Applications are generally made through the Food Safety Compliance System, or FoSCoS.

Under the commonly applicable turnover framework, basic registration covers eligible petty food businesses with annual turnover up to ₹12 lakh, state licensing generally covers businesses above ₹12 lakh and up to ₹20 crore, and central licensing generally applies above ₹20 crore. These bands are not the only eligibility test.

Production capacity, activity and business structure can require a state or central licence regardless of turnover. Importers and specified businesses have special central-licensing criteria, so current FoSCoS eligibility and notifications should be checked before applying.

Is this for you?

Who needs this and when

Every food business operator must be registered or licensed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. This includes restaurants, cloud kitchens, bakeries, caterers, grocery and sweet shops, home-based food sellers, e-commerce food sellers, importers and manufacturers. Selling food without the right registration can lead to penalties.

The category depends on your turnover and activity. Under FSSAI’s order of 13 March 2026, effective 1 April 2026, basic registration applies up to ₹1.5 crore, a State licence up to ₹50 crore and a Central licence beyond that. Some activities, such as importers and certain large operators, need a Central licence whatever their size. Thresholds and fees may be revised, so check FSSAI before you apply.

Benefits

What you get with LawLine

  • Activity and turnover-based eligibility assessment
  • Production-capacity and special-category checks
  • Form A or Form B preparation
  • Food category and premises document review
  • Inspection and clarification preparation
  • Validity, renewal and modification guidance

Process

Step-by-step: how it works

  1. 1Assess FoSCoS EligibilityCheck turnover, activity, capacity and premises to determine registration, state or central licensing.
  2. 2Prepare Application RecordsCompile Form A or Form B details and the documents required for the selected category.
  3. 3Submit Through FoSCoSReview the application with you, pay the official fee and submit through the portal.
  4. 4Support ScrutinyAssist with document queries and preparation for any required premises inspection.
  5. 5Review the CertificateCheck the issued scope, validity and conditions and explain continuing compliance duties.

Documents required

Clear scans or phone photos are enough to get started.

  • Applicant photograph and government identity proof
  • PAN and entity constitution documents, where required
  • Business premises ownership or lease documents
  • Food activities, product categories and turnover details
  • Premises layout and equipment list for relevant licence categories
  • Food safety management plan, where required
  • Water analysis report where applicable to the activity
  • Responsible-person authorisation and activity-specific supporting approvals

Pricing

Cost breakdown

ItemAmountWhat it means
Government fee – registrationPer FSSAI notificationFees were reduced with the 2026 reforms. Check FoSCoS for the current amount.
Government fee – State or Central licenceVaries by categoryIt depends on the type and size of the business. Check FoSCoS before you pay.
LawLine FSSAI registration service₹1,199 onwardsCovers the basic registration, document check and filing.
LawLine State or Central licence service₹3,999 onwardsPriced by the type of business and the documents needed, such as the food safety plan.
Annual return (where applicable)₹999 onwardsSome licence holders must file an annual return, so check your category.

FoSCoS government fees depend on registration or licence category, activity and selected validity and are separate from professional fees.

Timeline

How long it takes

  1. Category check and document collection

    1–2 days

  2. Application on FoSCoS and fee payment

    Same day

  3. Officer review of the application

    Registration: a few days; licence: longer

  4. Inspection, where it applies

    Varies, and the 2026 reforms aim to cut pre-inspection

  5. Certificate issued

    Often 7–30 days depending on the type

Avoid delays

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Applying in the wrong category. Using registration when a licence is needed, or the reverse, can lead to rejection or action, so confirm the current turnover limits first.
  • Using one licence for several premises. Each place of food business generally needs its own registration or licence, with some exceptions for transport and the like.
  • Not displaying the FSSAI number on bills, packaging and the shop. Your number must be shown on labels and invoices where the rules require.
  • Skipping the annual return or missing notified compliance dates. Check what applies to your licence type, since late filing can bring a charge.
  • Selling online without a licence number. E-commerce platforms generally ask for it, and customers can verify it.

Next steps

After it’s done: staying compliant

After you receive your certificate, display it at the premises and print the licence number on your bills and packaging. Follow hygiene standards, keep your staff trained and keep records of suppliers and cleaning. Food safety officers can inspect your premises, take samples and ask to see your records.

FSSAI has announced perpetual validity of registrations and licences, subject to risk-based inspections, so check whether yearly renewal still applies to you. Update the details on FoSCoS if you change address, product line or turnover category. If your turnover grows beyond your category limit, apply for the higher category in time.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Do home kitchens and small food sellers need FSSAI approval?

Food businesses generally require registration or licensing even when operated from home. Eligible petty businesses may use basic registration, but the activity and capacity conditions must also be satisfied.

Does turnover alone determine the licence?

No. The ₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore bands are general guides under the commonly applicable framework. Capacity, imports, particular activities and multi-state operations can trigger additional or central licensing requirements regardless of turnover.

Can one licence cover all my branches?

Licensing is generally premises-based. Businesses operating in more than one state ordinarily need a central licence for the registered or head office and appropriate registration or licences for individual units, subject to applicable rules.

How long is registration or a licence valid?

Under the established licensing framework, applicants can generally choose one to five years. Apply for renewal before expiry and check current FoSCoS rules for late renewal, additional charges and any requirement to stop operations.

What happens if I operate without a required licence?

Section 63 provides penalties for carrying on a food business without a required licence, including imprisonment up to six months and a fine up to ₹5 lakh. This provision distinguishes persons exempted from licensing under section 31(2); other violations can attract separate action.

Why might an application be delayed or rejected?

Incorrect licence selection, missing premises documents, inconsistent food categories, inadequate hygiene arrangements or unanswered queries can delay or defeat an application. Professional assistance does not guarantee approval, and government fees and testing are separate unless expressly included.

Key takeaways

  • Every food business needs an FSSAI registration or licence.
  • From 1 April 2026, registration applies up to ₹1.5 crore turnover and a State licence up to ₹50 crore.
  • Central licences apply above ₹50 crore and for some specified activities.
  • FSSAI has moved to perpetual validity, with risk-based inspections.
  • Show your FSSAI number on bills, labels and your premises.

Official sources & government portals

This guide is general information, not legal advice for your situation. Laws and fees change; confirm with an expert before acting.

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