Everything a Food Business Operator (FBO) needs to know about FSSAI
— whether you sell packaged snacks, protein supplements, ayurvedic capsules or home-made mithai. Check your
eligibility, find your licence type, and get a step-by-step checklist. Updated
for the April 2026 reforms — new thresholds, perpetual licences.
Before you begin
If it goes inside the body — FSSAI applies
FSSAI regulates anyone who manufactures, processes, stores, distributes or sells anything
that is eaten, drunk or swallowed. This covers a wider range than just "food" — here's the full picture.
Protein powders, whey, mass gainers, omega-3 capsules, multivitamin tablets,
collagen drinks, probiotic capsules, ayurvedic dietary supplements, herbal immunity boosters in capsule,
powder or liquid form — all ingestible, all under FSSAI
Not under FSSAI — falls under CDSCO / Drugs & Cosmetics Act
Topical creams, lotions, skin-care, hair oil, sunscreen, lipstick, ayurvedic medicines
that make drug claims, prescription supplements and medical devices. If your product is applied on the
body rather than ingested — FSSAI does not apply. Check with CDSCO at cdsco.gov.in instead.
Step 1 · Eligibility Checker
Which FSSAI licence do you need?
Answer 2 quick questions — we'll tell you exactly which registration applies to your food
business.
Q1 · What is your approximate annual business turnover from food?
Q2 · Which best describes your business?
Step 2 · Licence Types
Basic, State or Central?
FSSAI has three tiers. Your turnover, location and type of food business determines which
one you need.
Step 3 · How to Register
Step-by-step on FoSCoS
All FSSAI applications go through FoSCoS (Food
Safety Compliance System) — the official portal that replaced the older FLRS system.
1
Visit FoSCoS and create your account
Go to foscos.fssai.gov.in → click Sign Up → enter your mobile
number and email → verify OTP. Your login credentials will be sent to your registered email.
2
Select your licence type and form
After login, click Apply for Licence / Registration → select your
state → choose Form A for Basic Registration or Form B for State /
Central Licence. Use the eligibility checker above if unsure.
3
Fill in your business details
Enter your business name, address, nature of food business (manufacturer / retailer /
homemade food / online seller), food categories you deal in, and capacity. Be precise — incorrect category
selection is the most common cause of rejection.
4
Upload your documents
Upload scanned copies of required documents (see the Document Checklist below). File
size limit is 2MB per document. Accepted formats: PDF, JPG. Blurry or cropped documents are the second
most common rejection reason.
5
Pay the fee online
Pay via UPI, net banking or debit card on the portal. Basic Registration: ₹100/year.
State Licence: ₹2,000–₹5,000/year. Central Licence: ₹7,500/year. Choose your duration (1–5 years) before
paying.
6
Submit and track your application
After submission you'll receive an Application Reference Number.
Track status on FoSCoS under My Applications. Basic: approved in ~7 days. State: ~30
days. Central: ~60 days (may include premise inspection).
7
Display your FSSAI number
Once approved, download your certificate from FoSCoS. Display your 14-digit
FSSAI number on all product labels, packaging and online listings. For e-commerce, enter it
during seller onboarding and in your product listings for food categories.
Step 4 · Document Checklist
Documents you'll need
Check off each document as you gather it. Basic
Registration needs fewer documents than State/Central Licence.
Progress: 0 of 14 done
Identity & Address — All applicants
Photo ID of applicant — Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Passport,
Driving Licence or PAN Card
Address proof of business premises — electricity bill, rent
agreement, or property tax receipt
Passport-size photograph of the applicant (Food Business
Operator)
List of food products / categories you intend to sell or
manufacture
For State & Central Licence (Form B)
Blueprint / layout plan of the food processing or storage
premises (with dimensions)
List of machinery and equipment installed at the premises with
installed capacity
Name and list of Directors / Partners / Proprietor with
address proof
Certificate of Incorporation (for companies) or Partnership
Deed (for firms)
Water testing report from a recognised / public health
laboratory (if applicable)
NOC and/or copy of licence from manufacturer — if you are a
re-packer, re-labeller or importer
Additional for Specific Categories
IE Code (Importer Exporter Code) — required if importing food
products if applicable
NOC from Municipality or Local Body — required for
manufacturing premises in many states if applicable
Supporting document for proof of turnover — CA certificate or
audited balance sheet (for State/Central) if applicable
Declaration Form — signed declaration by the Food Business
Operator (downloadable from FoSCoS)
Step 5 · Fees & Renewal
How much does it cost?
All fees are paid online on FoSCoS. You can choose a 1 to 5 year term — the annual fee
multiplied by the number of years.
Licence Type
Annual Fee
Approval Time
Valid For
Basic Registration
₹100 / year
~7 working days
1–5 years
State Licence
₹2,000–₹5,000 / year
~30 days
1–5 years
Central Licence
₹7,500 / year
~60 days
1–5 years
Perpetual Validity — 2026 Reform
No more renewals required. As part of reforms approved by
the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 13 March 2026, FSSAI registrations and licences now have perpetual validity — they remain valid permanently without the need for
periodic renewal. This change aims to reduce compliance costs and paperwork for food business operators.
What this means for you: If you already hold an FSSAI licence, you
will not need to renew it when it expires under the old system. FSSAI will notify FBOs on how existing licences
transition to perpetual status via FoSCoS.
Important: If your turnover grows and crosses a threshold — from
Basic to State range (₹1.5 crore) or State to Central range (₹50 crore) — you must upgrade your licence
category. Perpetual validity does not exempt you from upgrading.
Step 6 · E-Commerce FBOs
Selling food & ingestibles online
Specific FSSAI rules apply to all Food Business Operators (FBOs) selling on Indian
e-commerce platforms — food, supplements, nutraceuticals and ayurvedic ingestibles included.
·
FSSAI number is mandatory during seller onboarding for food categories on all major
platforms. Without a valid 14-digit FSSAI number, your food product listings will be rejected or delisted.
·
Display on product listings: Your FSSAI licence number must appear on your product detail
page, in the seller profile and on physical product packaging. Platforms conduct periodic audits.
·
Packaged food labelling: All packaged food must carry FSSAI number, best before date, net
weight, nutritional info (if applicable), list of ingredients and manufacturer name and address.
Non-compliance leads to product removal.
·
E-commerce food operators (platforms) require a Central Licence if their own-brand food
turnover exceeds ₹50 crore. Individual sellers on these platforms follow the standard Basic/State/Central
tiers based on their own turnover.
·
Home kitchen and cloud kitchen sellers are eligible for Basic Registration. Your home
address can be the registered premises. Keep a clean, documented food preparation area — FSSAI inspectors may
visit for State/Central Licences.
·
Imported food products require a Central Licence and must comply with FSSAI import
regulations. Every consignment must be tested and cleared at the port of entry before listing for sale.
·
Street food vendors: From March 2026, vendors already registered with a Municipal
Corporation or Town Vending Committee under the Street Vendors Act 2014 are deemed registered under
FSSAI — no separate FSSAI registration required. This benefits over 10 lakh street vendors across
India.
Step 7 · Penalties & Compliance
What happens if you don't comply?
Under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, non-compliance carries serious financial and
criminal penalties.
Offence
Penalty
Carrying on food business without registration / licence
Up to ₹5 Lakh fine + up to 6 months imprisonment
Late renewal of licence
₹100 per day beyond expiry
Selling misbranded food (incorrect label / no FSSAI number)
Up to ₹3 Lakh fine
Selling sub-standard food
Up to ₹5 Lakh fine
Selling adulterated food
Up to ₹10 Lakh fine + imprisonment
Misleading advertisement / false claim on product
Up to ₹10 Lakh fine
Food causing injury / grievous hurt
Up to ₹3 Lakh + imprisonment up to 1 year
Food causing death
Minimum ₹10 Lakh fine + minimum 7 years imprisonment (up to life)
⚠ Important — Please read before relying on this guide:
Regulatory changes: Turnover thresholds (₹1.5 crore / ₹50 crore) reflect the MoHFW notification
dated 13 March 2026, effective April 1, 2026. Perpetual validity for licences is approved but FoSCoS portal
implementation may take additional weeks — check foscos.fssai.gov.in for the current
status.
Not legal advice: This guide is for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute
legal, regulatory or professional advice. Tradesala Technologies Pvt Ltd is not a legal firm, food safety
consultant or regulatory authority. Nothing on this page creates a lawyer–client or consultant–client
relationship.
Accuracy: While we make every effort to keep this information current, FSSAI rules, fees,
thresholds and penalties can change through notifications, circulars and amendments to the Food Safety and
Standards Act 2006 without prior notice. We cannot guarantee the information is complete, accurate or up to date
at the time you read it.
Your responsibility: Before applying for registration, making compliance decisions or advising
others, always verify directly at fssai.gov.in and consult a qualified food
safety consultant or legal professional. Tradesala accepts no liability for any loss, penalty, rejection or
legal consequence arising from reliance on this guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
FSSAI registration, licences, e-commerce food selling — answered for Indian sellers.
Yes — if your product is ingested, swallowed or drunk. FSSAI covers all Food Business Operators (FBOs)
including sellers of packaged food, spices, pickles, snacks, home-made foods, protein powders, whey,
multivitamins, herbal capsules, ayurvedic dietary supplements, nutraceuticals and health drinks.
Any product meant to be eaten, drunk or swallowed as a supplement requires FSSAI registration. Purely
topical products — creams, lotions, hair oil — fall under CDSCO instead. Platforms including
Tradesala, Amazon, Flipkart and Meesho require your FSSAI number during seller onboarding
for food and supplement categories.
Basic Registration (Form A) is for businesses with annual turnover below ₹1.5 crore — home
kitchens, petty vendors, small retailers, and many home-based sellers. State Licence (Form
B) covers ₹1.5 crore to ₹50 crore, operating in one state. Central Licence (Form
B) is required for turnover above ₹50 crore, multi-state businesses, importers and large
e-commerce food operators.
Yes. Home-based food businesses can obtain Basic FSSAI Registration if annual turnover is
below ₹1.5 crore. Your home address serves as the registered premises. You'll need to list the food
categories you sell and maintain basic hygiene. For selling on platforms like Tradesala or Swiggy Instamart,
Basic registration is the minimum requirement.
Basic Registration: ~7 working days if documents are complete. State
Licence: ~30 days. Central Licence: up to 60 days — may require a physical
inspection of your premises. Incomplete applications are returned and restart the clock, so use the
checklist above to prepare everything before applying.
Basic Registration: ₹100 per year. State Licence: ₹2,000–₹5,000 per year
depending on category and state. Central Licence: ₹7,500 per year. All fees are paid online
on FoSCoS. You can choose a 1–5 year term — longer terms mean fewer renewals to manage.
Selling food without FSSAI registration is a criminal offence under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.
Penalties include fines up to ₹5 lakh, imprisonment up to 6 months, and cancellation of
your seller account on platforms. Platforms routinely audit FBO accounts and delist those without valid
FSSAI numbers.
Yes. FSSAI licences are valid for 1–5 years. Apply for renewal on FoSCoS at least 30 days before
expiry. Late renewal attracts a penalty of ₹100 per day beyond the expiry date.
Operating with an expired licence carries the same penalties as operating without one — your seller accounts
on platforms will also be suspended.
FoSCoS (Food Safety Compliance System) at foscos.fssai.gov.in is the official FSSAI portal replacing
the older FLRS system. Create a login, select your licence type, fill Form A or B, upload documents, pay
online and submit. You can track your application status, download your certificate and apply for renewal —
all on the same portal.