In India, there are three types of FSSAI licenses, assigned based on annual turnover and operational scale:
- Basic Registration: For food businesses with a turnover of up to ₹12 lakh per year.
- State License: For businesses with turnover between ₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore.
- Central License: For businesses with a turnover above ₹20 crore, or any FBO involved in import, export, or operating in multiple states.
Every food business operator in India must hold one of these, as mandated by the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
What Is an FSSAI License?
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the regulatory body that licenses and monitors food businesses under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. An FSSAI license is a 14-digit registration number printed on food packaging that confirms a business complies with India’s food safety standards.
Operating a food business without a valid FSSAI authorization is a punishable offense under Section 63 of the FSS Act, punishable with a fine of up to ₹5 lakh and imprisonment of up to 6 months.
FSSAI License Comparison Table
Here is the complete comparison data:
| Parameter | Basic Registration | State License | Central License |
| Annual Turnover | Up to ₹12 lakh | ₹12 lakh – ₹20 crore | Above ₹20 crore |
| Government Fee (per year) | ₹100 | ₹2,000 – ₹5,000 | ₹7,500 |
| Validity | 1 to 5 years | 1 to 5 years | 1 to 5 years |
| Ideal For | Home kitchens, small stalls, tea sellers, petty retailers | Importers, exporters, e-commerce food sellers, and large manufacturers | Importers, exporters, e-commerce food sellers, large manufacturers |
| Operational Scope | Single location, single state | Within one state | Multi-state or international |
| Processing Time | 7 days | 30 – 60 days | 30 – 60 days |
1. Basic FSSAI Registration (Form A)
Who needs it
Petty food manufacturers, small retailers, hawkers, itinerant vendors, and home-based food producers with an annual turnover below ₹12 lakh.
Key features
- Filed using Form A on the FoSCoS portal.
- Can be upgraded to a State License once turnover crosses ₹12 lakh.
- Mandatory for tiffin services, cloud bakers, and Instagram food sellers selling from home.
2. State FSSAI License (Form B)
Who needs it
A State FSSAI License is mandatory for medium-scale manufacturers, storage units, transporters, wholesalers, distributors, marketers, restaurants, and hotels operating within a single state with a turnover between ₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore.
Key features
- Issued by the State Food Safety Department.
- Required by hotels rated 3-star and below.
- Applies to dairy units handling up to 50,000 litres per day and vegetable oil units producing up to 2 MT per day.
3. Central FSSAI License (Form B)
Who needs it
The Central FSSAI License is required for large manufacturers, 100% Export-Oriented Units, importers, operators at Central Government premises (airports, seaports, railway stations, defence establishments), and any FBO selling across more than one state.
Key features
- Issued directly by FSSAI headquarters.
- Mandatory for all e-commerce food aggregators such as Swiggy, Zomato, and Amazon Fresh sellers.
- Required for 5-star hotels and hotels rated above 3-star.
Documents Required For FSSAI License
For Basic Registration
- Photo ID of the proprietor (Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID, or Passport)
- Passport-size photograph
- Proof of business premises (utility bill or rent agreement)
Additional documents for State & Central Licenses
- Blueprint or layout of the processing unit
- List of directors, partners, or proprietors with address proof
- List of food categories to be manufactured
- NOC from the municipality or local authority
- Water testing report from an NABL-accredited lab
- Food Safety Management System (FSMS) plan
- Import Export Code (IEC) from DGFT — only for importers/exporters
How to Apply For an FSSAI License: Step-by-Step
All applications are filed online through the FoSCoS portal (foscos.fssai.gov.in). The manual process was discontinued in 2020.
Step 1 — Check eligibility: Use the FoSCoS self-assessment tool to confirm which license type applies.
Step 2 — Register on FoSCoS: Create an account with mobile and email verification.
Step 3 — Complete Form A or Form B: Fill in business details, product categories, and processing capacity.
Step 4 — Upload documents: All files must be in PDF or JPEG format under 2 MB each.
Step 5 — Pay the fee online: Payment via net banking, UPI, or debit/credit card.
Step 6 — Inspection (if applicable): State and Central applications may require a physical inspection of the premises.
Step 7 — Download the certificate: Once approved, download the PDF certificate from FoSCoS and display it at your premises.
| Violation | Penalty |
| Operating without a valid FSSAI license | Up to ₹5 lakh + 6 months imprisonment |
| Selling substandard food | Up to ₹5 lakh |
| Misleading advertisement or false labelling | Up to ₹10 lakh |
| Unhygienic manufacturing process | Up to ₹1 lakh |
| Food containing extraneous matter | Up to ₹1 lakh |
FSSAI License Renewal & Compliance
- Renew the license at least 30 days before expiry to avoid a late fee of ₹100 per day.
- Display the FSSAI number on all menus, packaging, and invoices.
- File annual returns (Form D1) by May 31 every year for State and Central license holders.
Maintain records of raw material sources, batch numbers, and product testing for at least 1 year.
Key Takeaways
- Determine license type by annual turnover first, then check operational scope (single state vs. multi-state vs. import/export).
- Apply online via FoSCoS — offline applications are no longer accepted.
- Renew 30 days before expiry to avoid daily late fees.
- Display the 14-digit license number on every package, menu, and invoice.
