What is an FSSAI licence?
A mandatory food business permit issued under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
How many types are there?
Three: Basic Registration, State Licence and Central Licence, decided mainly by turnover.
What are the turnover bands?
Basic up to Rs 1.5 crore, State Rs 1.5 crore to Rs 50 crore, Central above Rs 50 crore.
Does it still need renewal?
No. From March 2026 FSSAI licences have perpetual validity, replacing the old 1 to 5 year renewal cycle.
What if I operate without one?
A penalty up to Rs 5 lakh and imprisonment up to six months under Section 63.
Every food business in India, from a home cloud kitchen to a multi-state packaged food brand, needs an FSSAI licence before it can legally sell. The rules changed materially in 2026: the turnover bands that decide which licence you need were widened, and the old renewal cycle was scrapped in favour of perpetual validity. This guide explains the three licence types, the current thresholds and how to pick the right one.
What is an FSSAI licence?
An FSSAI licence is the mandatory authorisation that every Food Business Operator (FBO) in India must hold to manufacture, store, distribute, sell or import food, issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Each licence carries a 14-digit number that must be displayed on premises and on food packaging.
Key terms explained
- FBO: Food Business Operator, any person or entity carrying on a food business.
- FoSCoS: Food Safety Compliance System, the portal at foscos.fssai.gov.in where licences are issued.
- Perpetual validity: A licence that stays valid indefinitely without renewal, subject to ongoing compliance.
- Form A / Form B: Application forms for Basic registration (Form A) and State or Central licences (Form B).
Who needs which licence?
The type of FSSAI authorisation is driven mainly by annual turnover, with some activities forcing a Central licence regardless of turnover. Importers, exporters, 100 percent export oriented units and businesses operating across multiple states must hold a Central licence even if turnover is modest.
Following the order dated 13 March 2026, effective 1 April 2026, the bands were widened so that more small businesses fall under the simpler Basic registration. If your turnover is up to Rs 1.5 crore you need Basic registration, between Rs 1.5 crore and Rs 50 crore a State licence, and above Rs 50 crore a Central licence.
Legal framework
FSSAI licensing is governed by the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare order dated 13 March 2026 revised the turnover thresholds and introduced perpetual validity for licences from 10 March 2026.
What changed in 2026: The Basic registration ceiling rose from Rs 12 lakh to Rs 1.5 crore, the State band became Rs 1.5 crore to Rs 50 crore, the Central trigger moved to above Rs 50 crore, and renewals were replaced by perpetual validity.
How to apply on FoSCoS: step by step
- Create an account on FoSCoS. Register at foscos.fssai.gov.in and select your state and kind of business.
- Identify your licence type. Match your turnover and activity to Basic, State or Central. Choosing the wrong category leads to rejection.
- Fill the correct form. Complete Form A for Basic registration or Form B for State and Central licences.
- Upload supporting documents. Attach identity proof, address proof, the food safety management plan where required and a list of food products.
- Pay the fee. Pay the applicable government fee online. Basic is Rs 100 a year, State is Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000, and Central is Rs 7,500.
- Respond to queries and receive the licence. Reply to any departmental query within 30 days. On approval, download the 14-digit licence from FoSCoS.
Documents required
- Photo identity proof of the proprietor, partners or directors.
- Proof of business premises (rent agreement, utility bill or ownership proof).
- Constitution proof (incorporation certificate, partnership deed or GST registration).
- List of food products to be handled.
- Food safety management plan or declaration (for State and Central licences).
FSSAI licence types, turnover and fees
| Licence type | Annual turnover | Government fee (per year) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Registration (Form A) | Up to Rs 1.5 crore | Rs 100 |
| State Licence (Form B) | Rs 1.5 crore to Rs 50 crore | Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000 |
| Central Licence (Form B) | Above Rs 50 crore, or import/export/multi-state | Rs 7,500 |
Disclaimer: All fees listed are indicative government figures and do not constitute a binding offer. Final amounts may vary depending on the volume of work and the complexity involved.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Picking the wrong category. Applying for Basic registration when turnover demands a State licence wastes time and gets rejected.
- Ignoring activity-based triggers. Import, export and multi-state operations need a Central licence regardless of turnover.
- Not displaying the licence number. The 14-digit number must appear on premises and on labels.
- Missing the annual return. Manufacturers must file Form D1 by 31 May each year, even under perpetual validity.
Penalties and consequences
Operating a food business without a valid FSSAI licence attracts a penalty of up to Rs 5 lakh and imprisonment up to six months under Section 63 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Selling sub-standard food attracts a penalty up to Rs 5 lakh under Section 51, and misbranded food up to Rs 3 lakh under Section 52.
Marketplaces such as food delivery and e-commerce platforms verify the FSSAI number during onboarding, so an invalid or absent licence also blocks you from selling through them.
How these provisions interact
The turnover band under the 2011 Licensing Regulations decides the licence type, while the activity tests under the same regulations can override turnover and force a Central licence. Perpetual validity introduced in March 2026 removes renewal, but the annual return obligation under the regulations continues independently.
Basic vs State vs Central at a glance
| Feature | Basic | State / Central |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Form A | Form B |
| Inspection | Usually not required | Often required, especially health trades |
| Typical FBO | Small vendors, home kitchens | Mid to large units, importers, chains |
Key takeaways
- An FSSAI licence is mandatory for every food business under the FSS Act, 2006.
- From 1 April 2026, Basic covers turnover up to Rs 1.5 crore, State up to Rs 50 crore and Central beyond that.
- Licences now carry perpetual validity, so renewals are no longer required.
- Operating without a licence risks a penalty up to Rs 5 lakh and imprisonment under Section 63.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an FSSAI licence take?
Basic registration is often issued within 7 to 10 days, while State and Central licences can take 30 to 60 days where inspection is involved.
Do home-based food sellers need an FSSAI licence?
Yes. Home kitchens, tiffin services and online food sellers need at least Basic registration if turnover is within Rs 1.5 crore.
Is FSSAI registration the same as a licence?
Basic registration is the entry level authorisation, while State and Central are full licences for larger operations. All three fall under FSSAI.
Do I need a fresh licence for a second outlet in another state?
Operating across states generally requires a Central licence, and each premises is typically covered under the appropriate authorisation.
What is the FSSAI annual return?
Food manufacturers must file Form D1 annually by 31 May, declaring quantities handled. This continues even under perpetual validity.
Can I upgrade from Basic to State later?
Yes. As turnover grows past Rs 1.5 crore you apply for a State licence on FoSCoS and migrate your registration.
FSSAI license kaise banwaye?
foscos.fssai.gov.in par account banayein, apni turnover ke hisaab se Basic, State ya Central chunein, Form A ya Form B bharein, documents upload karein aur fees jama karein.
Does a cloud kitchen on Swiggy or Zomato need FSSAI?
Yes. Delivery platforms verify the FSSAI number at onboarding, so a valid licence is mandatory to list a cloud kitchen.
Need help choosing the right FSSAI licence?
Picking the correct category and filing without rejection saves weeks. Learn more about FSSAI registration support from Regikart or reach our team on [phone] or [WhatsApp].
About the author
Ganesh
Senior Advisor at Regikart. Want to discuss this in the context of your business?
