Designated Officer (DO)
FSSAI / State Food Safety Department
Steps 5 and 6
Reviews State and Central Licence applications, directs inspections, and issues or rejects licences
Business Registrations & Compliance#084
Understanding FSSAI Food Business Operator (FBO) licence / registration
Get an FSSAI licence or registration before operating as a food manufacturer, restaurant, caterer, or trader.
At a glance
Jurisdiction
Central — Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, applicable across India
Who applies
Any individual, company, firm, or entity that manufactures, processes, stores, distributes, transports, sells, or imports food products in India (Food Business Operator — FBO)
Typical time
Registration (Basic): 7 working days; State Licence: 30–45 days; Central Licence: 30–60 days
Fee
Registration (Basic, turnover < ₹12 lakh): ₹100 per year; State Licence (turnover ₹12 lakh – ₹20 crore): ₹2,000 – ₹5,000 per year; Central Licence (turnover > ₹20 crore or importer/exporter/pan-India operations): ₹7,500 per year
Who should use this process
- ✓Basic Registration: Petty food businesses with turnover up to ₹12 lakh per annum; retailers, hawkers, dhaba owners, home-based units
- ✓State Licence: FBOs with turnover between ₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore; medium-scale manufacturers, distributors, storage facilities
- ✓Central Licence: FBOs with turnover above ₹20 crore; importers, exporters, food businesses operating in more than one state, those operating in central government premises, airport and seaport-based FBOs
- ✓Any food business, regardless of size, that operates must have FSSAI registration or licence before commencing operations
Who does NOT need to apply
- ✕Home kitchen meals prepared without any commercial intent or sale are not regulated
- ✕Persons who produce primary agricultural produce (raw, unprocessed) for personal consumption are excluded, but those who sell it commercially require registration
Documents required
| # | Document | Type needed | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Photo ID proof of proprietor / director / partner (PAN / Aadhaar / Voter ID / Passport) | Self-attested Copy | Identity proof of the applicant FBO |
| 2 | Proof of business address of food premises (electricity bill / property tax receipt / rent agreement) | Self-attested Copy | Confirms the physical location of the food business operations |
| 3 | List of food products to be manufactured / sold | Original | Specifies the category and types of food products; determines applicable product-specific standards and additives |
| 4 | Blueprint / layout plan of the food premises(optional)Required for State Licence and Central Licence; not required for Basic Registration | Original | Shows the layout of the manufacturing / processing / storage area for State and Central licence applicants |
| 5 | Certificate of Incorporation / Partnership Deed / MoA (for non-proprietorships)(optional)Required for companies, LLPs, and partnership firms | Self-attested Copy | Establishes the legal entity of the FBO |
| 6 | Water analysis report from a recognised laboratory(optional)Required for manufacturing and processing units under State and Central Licence | Original | Confirms that water used in food processing meets potability standards |
| 7 | NOC from Municipality / Panchayat(optional)Required in some states for State and Central Licence | Original | Local body clearance for the food premises |
| 8 | Import Export Code (IEC) from DGFT(optional)Required only for import/export food business operators | Self-attested Copy | Required for importers and exporters of food products applying for Central Licence |
| 9 | Declaration form (Annexure B / Form B) | Download / Print | Self-declaration by the FBO about the hygiene and food safety standards maintained at the premises |
Original documents: Carry originals only for in-person visits — do not hand them over permanently unless explicitly required.
Step-by-step guide
- 1
Determine whether Registration, State Licence, or Central Licence is required
OnlineBased on the nature of the food business, annual turnover, and scale of operations, determine the applicable category: Basic Registration (turnover < ₹12 lakh), State Licence (₹12 lakh – ₹20 crore), or Central Licence (> ₹20 crore / importer / exporter / multi-state operations). Applying for the wrong category will delay the process.
1–2 hourshttps://foscos.fssai.gov.in - 2
Create applicant account on FoSCoS portal
OnlineRegister on the FSSAI Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal at foscos.fssai.gov.in. Create an applicant login using mobile number and email. Select the type of entity and state.
30 minuteshttps://foscos.fssai.gov.in - 3
Fill application form (Form A for Registration / Form B for Licence)
OnlineFill Form A (for Basic Registration) or Form B (for State/Central Licence) online. Enter FBO details, food premises address, nature and category of food products (referring to FSSAI product categories), number of employees, installed capacity, and other required information. For Central Licence, fill the additional annexures specific to your business type.
1–3 hourshttps://foscos.fssai.gov.in - 4
Upload documents and pay fee
OnlineUpload scanned copies of all required documents. Pay the prescribed annual fee (₹100 for Registration; ₹2,000–₹5,000 for State Licence; ₹7,500 for Central Licence) via net banking, UPI, or debit/credit card on the FoSCoS portal.
30–60 minuteshttps://foscos.fssai.gov.in - 5
Application scrutiny and inspection (State/Central Licence only)
BothFor State and Central Licences, a Designated Officer (DO) or Food Safety Officer (FSO) from FSSAI / State Food Safety Department reviews the application and may schedule a physical inspection of the food premises. For Basic Registration, scrutiny is automated and inspection may not be required.
7–30 working daysDesignated Officer (DO) / Food Safety Officer (FSO) - 6
Grant of Registration / Licence Certificate
OnlineUpon satisfactory scrutiny (and inspection), the FSSAI Registration Certificate (14-digit FSSAI number) or State/Central Licence is issued on the FoSCoS portal. Download and print the certificate. The FSSAI number must be displayed on all food product labels and at the food premises.
7 days (Registration); 30–60 days (Licence) - 7
Display FSSAI number and renew before expiry
OnlineThe FSSAI number must be printed on all food product labels, menus (for restaurants), and displayed at the premises. Renew the registration / licence before the expiry date (30 days before expiry for State/Central Licence). FSSAI registration/licence is valid for 1–5 years as chosen at the time of application.
Ongoinghttps://foscos.fssai.gov.in
Government officers involved
Food Safety Officer (FSO)
State Food Safety Department
Step 5
Conducts physical inspection of food premises, collects food samples for testing, and submits inspection report to DO
Government portals
FoSCoS — Food Safety Compliance System (FSSAI)
https://foscos.fssai.gov.inApplying for FSSAI Registration and Licence, tracking application status, renewal, and downloading licence certificate
FSSAI Official Website
https://www.fssai.gov.inReference for FSSAI regulations, food standards, product categories, and advisory circulars
Things to watch out for
Wrong category application causes rejection and restart
Applying for Basic Registration when State or Central Licence is required (based on turnover or scale) leads to rejection without refund. Carefully determine the applicable category before applying. When in doubt, apply for the higher category.
FSSAI number must be printed on all food labels
Every packaged food product manufactured by the FBO must carry the 14-digit FSSAI licence/registration number on its label. Sale of food without the FSSAI number on the label is an offence and can attract fines up to ₹2 lakh and cancellation of licence.
Renewal must be done before expiry — not after
Operating after the expiry of an FSSAI Registration or Licence is equivalent to operating without a licence and attracts heavy penalties. Apply for renewal at least 30 days before expiry. For multi-year licences, set a calendar reminder.
Product category selection determines applicable standards
FSSAI has prescribed specific standards (additives, contaminants, labelling) for each product category. Incorrectly categorising your product at the time of registration/licensing can lead to non-compliance with product standards. Review FSSAI's 'Food Products Standards and Food Additives Regulations' carefully.
State licence required per state — not pan-India
A State Licence is valid only in the state where it is issued. If your business operates across multiple states (e.g., multi-state distribution), you need a Central Licence, not multiple State Licences. Check the threshold carefully.