Three tiers, decided by turnover and business type
Every food business operator in India needs one of three FSSAI approvals, and which one applies is decided mainly by annual turnover. Basic Registration covers small operators with turnover up to ₹12 lakh a year — home kitchens, small manufacturers, petty retailers, and roadside vendors. A State License applies once turnover crosses ₹12 lakh and up to ₹20 crore, covering most mid-sized manufacturers, restaurants, and distributors. A Central License applies above ₹20 crore turnover, and also applies regardless of turnover to importers, exporters, and businesses operating from central government premises such as airports and railways. Turnover, not shop size or headcount, is the deciding factor — a home baker crossing ₹12 lakh needs a State License even while still working from a single kitchen.
Documents that differ by tier
Basic Registration needs a passport-size photo, address proof, and a self-declaration of the food category. A State or Central License additionally needs a food safety management plan, a layout plan of the premises, a list of equipment and machinery, and — for manufacturing units — a water test report from a recognised laboratory confirming the water used is potable. Partnership firms need the partnership deed; companies need the certificate of incorporation and a board resolution authorising the applicant to sign. Missing or outdated documents, particularly an expired water test report, are the single most common reason an application stalls at the scrutiny stage.
The application moves through the FoSCoS portal
Applications are filed online through the FSSAI's Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal, using Form A for Basic Registration and Form B for State or Central Licenses. After submission, a Food Safety Officer may schedule a premises inspection before approval, particularly for State and Central Licenses. Basic Registration is typically the fastest to clear since it does not usually require a physical inspection. Once approved, the license or registration certificate carries a 14-digit FSSAI number that must be printed on packaging and displayed at the business premises.
Choose the validity period deliberately
Applicants choose a validity period between one and five years at the time of filing, and the fee scales with the number of years chosen. A longer validity period costs more upfront but avoids the renewal filing and fee every year — worth doing for a stable business, less useful for a venture still testing its model. Whatever period is chosen, renewal must be filed before expiry; operating on an expired license carries the same penalty exposure as operating without one.
Renew before expiry, not after
Renewal applications should be filed at least 30 days before the current license expires. Filing late attracts a penalty of ₹100 per day of delay, and if the license lapses entirely, the business is technically operating without a valid FSSAI approval until a fresh application clears — which takes materially longer than a renewal. Building a reminder around the expiry date, rather than the renewal deadline, is the safest way to avoid this gap.
Note: this guide is general information, not legal advice for your specific matter. Rules, fees and registry practice change. Before acting, speak to us about your situation.