By Vikram Mehta | Updated March 2026
What Is an FSSAI License?
An FSSAI License is a mandatory regulatory approval issued under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act) by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Every food business operator (FBO) in India — whether engaged in manufacturing, processing, packaging, storage, distribution, sale, or import of food products — must obtain either an FSSAI Registration or an FSSAI License before commencing operations. The license is identified by a unique 14-digit registration number that must be displayed on all food product labels and packaging.
For foreign companies entering the Indian food market, the FSSAI license is the single most critical regulatory gateway. Unlike many Indian business licenses that are entity-level formalities, the FSSAI license directly governs what you can sell, how you must label it, and the hygiene and safety standards your facility must meet. Importers of food products into India are required to obtain a Central FSSAI License regardless of turnover — there is no exemption for low-volume imports. Operating without a valid FSSAI license carries penalties of up to INR 5 lakh and imprisonment of up to six months under Section 63 of the FSS Act.
The FSSAI was established in 2008 under the FSS Act to consolidate multiple food safety laws (Prevention of Food Adulteration Act 1954, Fruit Products Order 1955, Meat Food Products Order 1973, and others) into a single regulatory framework. Today, it oversees over 80 lakh registered food businesses across India and administers the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, which govern the licensing process.
Legal Basis
- Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (Act No. 34 of 2006) — The parent legislation establishing FSSAI and the regulatory framework for food safety in India. Received Presidential assent on August 23, 2006, and became fully operative on August 5, 2011.
- Section 31 of the FSS Act — No person shall commence or carry on any food business except under a license or registration. This is the core licensing mandate.
- Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011 — Prescribes the three categories of licenses (Basic Registration, State License, Central License), eligibility criteria, fees, application forms (Form A for registration, Form B for license), and compliance conditions.
- Schedule 4 of the FSS Regulations — Specifies sanitary and hygienic requirements for food businesses, including FIFO/FEFO storage principles (updated by draft amendment dated January 20, 2026).
- Section 63 of the FSS Act — Penalty for operating without a license: fine up to INR 5,00,000 and imprisonment up to six months.
- Food Safety and Standards (Import) Regulations, 2017 — Governs import of food products, requiring Central License and compliance with Indian food safety standards at port of entry.
Three Categories of FSSAI License
The FSSAI licensing framework is structured into three tiers based on the food business operator's annual turnover and production capacity. Each tier has distinct eligibility criteria, application forms, and fee structures.
| Category | Annual Turnover | Production Capacity | Application Form | Government Fee (Per Year) | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Registration | Up to INR 12 lakh | Up to 100 kg/litre per day (excl. milk/meat); up to 500 litres milk per day | Form A | INR 100 | 1–5 years |
| State License | INR 12 lakh – INR 20 crore | Above 100 kg/litre per day; dairy units handling 501–50,000 litres per day | Form B | INR 2,000 – INR 5,000 | 1–5 years |
| Central License | Above INR 20 crore | Large manufacturers; multi-state operations; all importers and exporters | Form B | INR 7,500 | 1–5 years |
Who Needs a Central License?
A Central License is mandatory (regardless of turnover) for:
- All food importers and exporters — including foreign companies importing into India
- Food businesses operating in two or more states
- Government agencies and food business operators in central government institutions
- Operators in Special Economic Zones (SEZs)
- E-commerce food aggregators and platforms
- Dairy units processing more than 50,000 litres of milk per day
- Slaughterhouses processing more than 50 large animals or 150 small animals per day
Application Process and Documents Required
All FSSAI license applications are submitted online through the FoSCoS (Food Safety Compliance System) portal at foscos.fssai.gov.in. The process is fully digital.
Step-by-Step Process
- Create an account on the FoSCoS portal with a valid mobile number and email address
- Select license type (Basic Registration, State License, or Central License) based on turnover and business type
- Fill the application form — Form A for Basic Registration; Form B for State or Central License
- Upload required documents (see list below)
- Pay the government fee online via net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI
- Application scrutiny — the licensing authority reviews within 7 working days of submission
- Inspection (for State and Central Licenses) — a Food Safety Officer may inspect the premises
- License issuance — upon satisfactory review, the 14-digit FSSAI license number is issued digitally
Documents Required
| Document | Basic Registration | State License | Central License |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo ID of FBO / Proprietor / Director | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Proof of business premises (lease/ownership) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Business constitution proof (incorporation certificate, partnership deed, etc.) | No | Yes | Yes |
| List of food products to be handled | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Blueprint/layout plan of processing facility | No | Yes | Yes |
| List of directors/partners with address proof | No | Yes | Yes |
| Food safety management plan (HACCP/ISO) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Water testing report from recognized laboratory | No | Yes | Yes |
| Import Export Code (IEC) | No | No | Yes (importers/exporters) |
| GST registration certificate | No | Yes | Yes |
| NOC from local municipality or panchayat | No | Yes | Yes |
| Geo-tagged photos of facility premises | No | Yes (2026 onward) | Yes (2026 onward) |
Fee Structure
FSSAI government fees are among the lowest regulatory fees in India. The fees depend on the license category and the chosen validity period (1 to 5 years).
| License Type | 1 Year | 2 Years | 3 Years | 5 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Registration | INR 100 | INR 200 | INR 300 | INR 500 |
| State License | INR 2,000 – 5,000 | INR 4,000 – 10,000 | INR 6,000 – 15,000 | INR 10,000 – 25,000 |
| Central License | INR 7,500 | INR 15,000 | INR 22,500 | INR 37,500 |
Renewal fees are identical to the original license fees. Renewal applications must be submitted at least 30 days before the license expires to avoid a lapse in compliance. Late renewal may result in cancellation and the need to apply afresh.
Compliance Requirements After Licensing
Obtaining the FSSAI license is the starting point, not the finish line. Food business operators must continuously comply with the following:
- Labeling: Every food product must display the FSSAI logo, the 14-digit license number, nutritional information, list of ingredients, allergen declarations, manufacturing and expiry dates, and "best before" or "use by" dates per the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020
- Packaging: Materials must comply with FSSAI-specified standards; no recycled plastics for direct food contact
- Hygiene standards: Schedule 4 compliance — clean premises, pest control, temperature controls, FIFO/FEFO inventory management, employee hygiene training
- Annual returns: FBOs must file annual returns on the FoSCoS portal by May 31 each year in Form D-1 (for manufacturers) or Form D-2 (for other FBOs)
- Product recalls: FBOs must have a documented product recall procedure and cooperate with FSSAI-initiated recalls
- Third-party audits: Large operators (Central License holders) may be subject to periodic FSSAI audits and must maintain records for inspection
Penalties for Non-Compliance
The FSS Act prescribes graded penalties for food safety violations. These are enforced by Food Safety Officers (FSOs) and adjudicating officers appointed under the Act.
| Offense | Section | Maximum Fine | Maximum Imprisonment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating without FSSAI license | Section 63 | INR 5,00,000 | 6 months |
| Selling sub-standard food | Section 51 | INR 5,00,000 | None |
| Selling misbranded food | Section 52 | INR 3,00,000 | None |
| Misleading advertisements | Section 53 | INR 10,00,000 | None |
| Unsafe food causing death | Section 59 | INR 10,00,000 minimum | 7 years to life |
| Unhygienic/unsanitary processing | Section 56 | INR 1,00,000 | None |
| Subsequent offenses (any) | Section 64 | INR 1,00,000 per day | Double the original sentence |
For a foreign company, the reputational damage of an FSSAI enforcement action in India can far exceed the financial penalties. FSSAI publishes enforcement actions on its website, and non-compliant imported products are detained and destroyed at the port of entry at the importer's expense.
How This Affects Foreign Investors in India
The FSSAI licensing regime has direct implications for any foreign company entering the Indian food market:
Importers Must Obtain a Central License
Regardless of volume or turnover, any entity importing food products into India must hold a Central FSSAI License. This applies to foreign food companies importing through Indian subsidiaries, branch offices, or appointed Indian importers. The license must be obtained before the first shipment clears customs. Without it, goods will be detained under the Food Safety and Standards (Import) Regulations, 2017.
Foreign Manufacturer Registration
FSSAI requires mandatory registration of foreign food manufacturing facilities for certain product categories — specifically milk and milk products, meat and meat products, egg powder, infant food, and nutraceuticals. The foreign facility must be registered with the competent authority of the exporting country, and this registration must be verified before import clearance is granted.
Labeling Compliance for Imported Products
All imported food products must carry an additional label (sticker label is acceptable) with the Indian importer's name, address, FSSAI license number, and the statement "imported by" — in addition to the origin country labeling. Products failing labeling requirements are rejected at the port. This catches many first-time importers off guard.
Indian Standards Override Home-Country Standards
A product approved by the FDA (US), EFSA (EU), or any other national regulator does not automatically comply with Indian food safety standards. FSSAI has its own standards for permitted additives, pesticide residue limits, heavy metal limits, and microbiological criteria. Products must be reformulated or tested against Indian standards before import.
Entity Structure Matters
A foreign company cannot directly hold an FSSAI license — the license must be held by an Indian entity. Foreign food companies typically operate through a wholly-owned subsidiary, a branch office, or an appointed Indian importer/distributor. The choice of entity structure affects the license application, as the Indian entity's directors or partners must be listed on the FSSAI application.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming a low-volume import doesn't need a Central License. There is no turnover exemption for importers. Even if you import INR 1 lakh worth of specialty cheese per year, you need a Central FSSAI License. Many foreign companies discover this only after their first shipment is held at customs.
- Applying for a State License when a Central License is required. If your food business operates in more than one state — which includes selling online across India via e-commerce — you need a Central License, not a State License. This mismatch results in rejection and wasted processing time.
- Ignoring Indian labeling standards for imported products. Home-country labels (even in English) do not satisfy FSSAI requirements. Every imported food product needs a compliant sticker label with the Indian importer's details, FSSAI number, nutritional facts per Indian format, and allergen declarations per Indian regulations. Non-compliant labeling is the number one reason for port rejections.
- Not renewing the license 30 days before expiry. FSSAI licenses are valid for 1–5 years and must be renewed at least 30 days before expiry. Operating on an expired license is treated the same as operating without a license — Section 63 penalties apply. There is no automatic grace period.
- Filing annual returns late or not at all. FBOs must file Form D-1 or D-2 annual returns by May 31 each year on the FoSCoS portal. Non-filing can trigger license suspension or cancellation — and once cancelled, you must reapply from scratch, delaying operations by 30–60 days.
Practical Example
NordicBites AB, a Swedish specialty food company, decides to enter the Indian market by exporting its organic granola bars and smoked salmon products to Indian retailers. Here is how the FSSAI licensing process unfolds:
Step 1 — Entity setup: NordicBites incorporates a private limited company in India — NordicBites India Pvt Ltd — through the SPICe+ process. The Indian subsidiary will act as the importer of record.
Step 2 — IEC and FSSAI application: NordicBites India obtains an Import Export Code (IEC) from DGFT and applies for a Central FSSAI License on the FoSCoS portal using Form B. Government fee: INR 37,500 for a 5-year license.
Step 3 — Foreign facility registration: Because smoked salmon falls under "meat and meat products," FSSAI requires registration of NordicBites' Swedish manufacturing facility with the Swedish National Food Agency (Livsmedelsverket). NordicBites obtains this certification and submits it with the application.
Step 4 — Product testing: NordicBites sends product samples to an FSSAI-recognized laboratory in India. The granola bars pass, but the smoked salmon's sodium content exceeds FSSAI limits for the declared product category. NordicBites must either reformulate the product for India or reclassify the product category. This delays the import by 45 days.
Step 5 — Labeling: NordicBites designs compliant Indian sticker labels — in English and Hindi — with the FSSAI logo, 14-digit license number, "Imported by NordicBites India Pvt Ltd" with address, nutritional information per FSSAI format, allergen declaration, and best-before date. Cost: approximately INR 2 per unit for 50,000 units = INR 1 lakh.
Step 6 — First shipment: The first container clears Chennai port customs. The Food Import Clearance Officer samples the products for testing. Results come back compliant in 7 working days. Products are released for distribution.
Ongoing compliance: NordicBites India files Form D-2 annual returns by May 31 each year. The company maintains hygiene records, product recall procedures, and cooperates with any FSSAI audit. Total annual regulatory cost: INR 7,500 (license fee) + INR 15,000 (laboratory testing) + INR 1 lakh (labeling) = approximately INR 1.23 lakh per year — a modest cost for market access to 1.4 billion consumers.
Key Takeaways
- Every food business in India — manufacturing, processing, distribution, sale, or import — must hold a valid FSSAI Registration or License under Section 31 of the FSS Act, 2006
- Three categories exist: Basic Registration (turnover up to INR 12 lakh, fee INR 100/year), State License (INR 12 lakh–20 crore, fee INR 2,000–5,000/year), and Central License (above INR 20 crore or importers/exporters, fee INR 7,500/year)
- All food importers must obtain a Central License regardless of turnover — this is non-negotiable for foreign companies entering India
- Operating without a license carries penalties of up to INR 5 lakh fine and 6 months imprisonment under Section 63
- Foreign food products must meet Indian FSSAI standards — home-country approvals (FDA, EFSA) do not substitute
- Licenses are valid for 1–5 years and must be renewed 30 days before expiry via the FoSCoS portal
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