Why Get FSSAI Licensed?

Every food business in India — from a home kitchen to a restaurant chain — is required by law to hold a valid FSSAI license or registration.

01

Legally Mandatory

No food business can operate without FSSAI. Penalty for non-compliance: ₹5–10 lakh fine and imprisonment up to 6 months.

02

Consumer Trust

The FSSAI logo on your packaging and menu builds consumer confidence. It signals safety compliance and is required by law on all food labels.

03

Zomato / Swiggy Listing

Food delivery platforms require a valid FSSAI license for onboarding. Without it, you cannot list your restaurant or cloud kitchen.

04

Expandability

A State license is required to sell across multiple districts or states. Essential for scaling your food business beyond a single location.

Legal Framework

FSSAI licensing is governed by the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 and administered by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.

Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, Section 31: Every food business operator in India must obtain a license or registration from FSSAI before commencing any food business activity.

Penalty under Section 63: Operating a food business without a valid license is punishable with imprisonment up to 6 months and a fine up to ₹5 lakh.

License categories based on turnover:
— Registration: annual turnover below ₹12 lakh (petty food businesses)
— Basic License: annual turnover ₹12 lakh to ₹20 crore (single district/state)
— State License: annual turnover above ₹20 crore or operations across multiple districts

Govt fees: Basic ₹100/year; State ₹2,000–5,000/year depending on business category.

Registration Process

Basic license in 7 days. State license in 14–30 days (includes inspection).

1

Determine License Type

We assess your turnover, business type, and geographic coverage to determine whether you need Registration, Basic, or State license.

2

Document Preparation

We prepare your food safety management plan, product list, and all supporting documents required for the FoSCoS application.

3

Application on FoSCoS Portal

Application filed on the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal with all documents and govt fee payment.

4

Inspection + Certificate Issuance

Basic license is issued without inspection. State license requires an on-site inspection by a food safety officer before issuance.

Documents Required

PAN card + Aadhaar of proprietor / director
Passport-size photograph
Business address proof (rent agreement or utility bill)
List of food products to be manufactured or sold
NOC from municipality / panchayat (for manufacturing units)
Form IX — nomination of food safety officer (for companies)
Bank account details

Timeline

Basic license in 7 days. State license in 14–30 days after inspection.

Day 1

Documents + Application filed

7 days

Basic license issued

14–30 days

State license (post-inspection)

Annual

Renewal required

Benefits & Risks

Benefits of Registering

Legal compliance — avoid ₹5 lakh fine and imprisonment
Required for Zomato, Swiggy, and Amazon Fresh onboarding
Builds consumer trust with FSSAI logo on packaging
Required for export of food products

Risks of Not Registering

Fine of up to ₹5 lakh + imprisonment up to 6 months
Cannot list on food delivery platforms
Cannot use FSSAI logo on packaging or marketing
Seized stock and business closure by food safety officer

FSSAI Food License