FSSAI Registration & License Assistance

Who needs FSSAI registration in India?

Every Food Business Operator (FBO) in India must have an FSSAI licence or registration. This includes: manufacturers, processors, re-packers, re-labelers of food; restaurants, hotels, dhabas, canteens, caterers; cloud kitchens, home bakers, home cooks selling food; online food platforms (Swiggy, Zomato vendors); importers and exporters of food; distributors and wholesalers; retailers selling packaged food; e-commerce food businesses. The only exemptions are very small home-based operations below the Basic Registration threshold.

What are the three types of FSSAI authorisations?

FSSAI has a tiered system: (1) Basic Registration (Form A): for petty food businesses with annual turnover below ₹12 lakh, small retailers, hawkers, itinerant vendors. 14-digit registration number. Processed at district level. Fee: ₹100/year. (2) State License (Form B): for food businesses with turnover ₹12 lakh to ₹20 crore, state-level manufacturers, restaurants, mid-sized businesses. 14-digit license number. Processed at state food authority. Fee: ₹2,000–₹5,000/year. (3) Central License: for businesses with turnover above ₹20 crore, multi-state operations, importers/exporters, airports, seaports, and food businesses of railways. Processed by FSSAI Central.

How long does FSSAI registration and license take?

Basic Registration: 7–10 working days. State License: 30 days (application) + inspection (may add 15–30 days in some states). Central License: 30 days. After document submission and fee payment on FoSCoS portal, the regulatory authority reviews and may: (a) Grant license directly, (b) Schedule a physical inspection of the premises, (c) Raise queries requiring additional documents. Physical inspection is mandatory for manufacturing units and large food businesses.

What is the validity and renewal schedule for FSSAI?

FSSAI licences/registrations can be obtained for 1 to 5 years. Annual renewal is the most common (for cost management). Renewal application must be filed 30 days before expiry on FoSCoS portal. Failure to renew: the licence is cancelled and continuing food business operations without a valid FSSAI licence is punishable by penalty up to ₹5 lakh (Section 63 of FSS Act). We send renewal reminders 60 days before expiry.

What food safety standards must an FSSAI license holder comply with?

FSSAI license holders must comply with: (a) Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations — product composition, contaminant limits; (b) FSMS (Food Safety Management System) requirements — HACCP principles for manufacturing units; (c) Labelling regulations — all packaged food must carry specific information per FSS (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations; (d) Hygiene and sanitation standards for premises and equipment; (e) Schedule an annual self-inspection. Routine inspections by food safety officers can result in samples being sent for laboratory testing.