Check which FSSAI approval your food business needs under the updated 2026 regulatory framework. Know revised turnover thresholds and category-based licensing rules. Get your applicability assessed with Setindiabiz!
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Turnover Up to ₹1.5 Crore
Turn over ₹1.5 Crore to ₹50 Crore
Turnover above Above ₹50 Crore
A Food License is a necessary permission granted by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to operate a food business. This license is specific to the location and has a designated duration. It is identified by a unique 14-digit registration number. In India, it is mandatory for food businesses to obtain licensing or registration as prescribed by the law. The legal framework for this requirement is established by the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, applicable nationwide. The objective of this act is to consolidate the laws pertaining to food and to establish the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. The authority lays down scientifically-based standards for food articles, regulates their manufacturing, storage, distribution, sale, and import, ensuring the availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.
Determining whether a food business operator (FBO) requires registration or a central/state license depends on various factors. Small food business operators that do not engage in manufacturing or processing, have an annual turnover of less than 12 lakhs, and operate within a single state are typically required to obtain FSSAI registration. On the other hand, other food business operators need to procure a license. The eligibility criteria for registration and licensing are discussed in detail in the eligibility section of this page.
It’s important to note that even non-governmental organizations (NGOs) involved in the distribution of surplus food or temples organizing langar or bhandara and offering prashad must obtain the necessary FSSAI license or registration based on their specific eligibility criteria.
On March 10, 2026, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) notified significant amendments to licensing and registration rules. A subsequent order on March 13, 2026, revised the turnover thresholds, effective April 1, 2026. These changes simplify compliance and benefit small and medium food businesses significantly.
Quick Answer: The main change is the registration threshold increased from ₹12 Lakh to ₹1.5 Crore. All licenses now have perpetual validity, eliminating the need for 5-year renewal applications. Annual fee Payment and return filing remain mandatory.
| Aspect | Previous Rules | New Rules (April 1, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
Registration Threshold | ₹12 Lakh | ₹1.5 Crore |
License Validity | 5 years (renewal needed) | Perpetual (no renewal) |
Street Vendors | Separate registration required | Deemed registration (no filing needed) |
Inspections | Fixed schedule | Risk-based (compliant businesses get fewer inspections) |
FSSAI categorizes food businesses into three tiers based on annual turnover AND business type. This is critical: turnover alone doesn’t determine your category.
Turnover: Up to ₹1.5 Crore/year
Annual Fee: ₹100
Valid For: Small retailers, tea shops, snack vendors, small eateries
Turnover: ₹1.5 Crore to ₹50 Crore/year
Annual Fee: ₹5,000
Valid For: Medium restaurants, food chains, distributors
Turnover: Above ₹50 Crore/year
Annual Fee: ₹7,500
Valid For: Large manufacturers, importers, national chains
This is the most misunderstood rule. Certain business types must obtain a higher license regardless of turnover. Many food entrepreneurs face penalties for misclassification.
⚠️ Important: Always verify your business type in the official FoSCoS “Kind of Business (KoB) Eligibility Matrix” (updated April 1, 2026) before applying. False declaration attracts penalties up to ₹10 Lakh under Section 61 of the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006.
Even with turnover below ₹1.5 Crore, these business types CANNOT get basic registration:
| Business Type | Why? | Minimum License Tier |
|---|---|---|
All Caterers | Wedding, event, party caterers handling food preparation for mass gatherings | State License (min) |
Mid-Day Meal Caterers | Schools, NGOs providing nutritious food under government schemes | State License (min) |
Street Vendors | Separate registration required | Deemed registration (no filing needed) |
Grain & Cereal Millers | Flour mills, grain processors require specialized compliance | State License (min) |
These business types MUST obtain Central License even if annual turnover is ₹10 Lakh:
| Business Type | Examples | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
Importers & Exporters | Food imports from any country, merchant exports of food products | ₹7,500 |
E-commerce Food Platforms | Swiggy, Zomato, BigBasket, Amazon Fresh, Blinkit | ₹7,500 |
Nutraceutical Manufacturers | Health supplements, vitamins, protein powders, dietary supplements | ₹7,500 |
Proprietary Food Makers | Non-standardized food products not covered by FSSAI regulations | ₹7,500 |
100% Export-Oriented Units (EOUs) | Food manufacturing exclusively for export markets | ₹7,500 |
Five-Star & Above Hotels | Premium hotel chains with 5+ star ratings | ₹7,500 |
Multi-State Head Offices | Companies with food business operations in multiple states | ₹7,500 |
A critical misconception: “If I sell food across multiple states, I need a Central License.”
Truth: FSSAI licenses are premises-specific, not territory-based. Where your customers receive food doesn’t matter. What matters is where your physical food business premises are located.
If you operate 10 restaurant outlets in one city, you need 10 separate licenses (one for each outlet). The license category for each outlet depends on that specific outlet’s turnover and business type.
Example: Your Delhi bakery ships cookies to Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad.
Example: Your company has a manufacturing unit in Delhi and a cold storage warehouse in Noida (UP).
All premises in one state = no Central License needed, regardless of combined turnover. Each location gets its own State License or Registration.
Important Distinction: Perpetual validity does NOT mean you never pay fees or comply with rules. It means you don’t need to apply for renewal every 5 years.
Even with perpetual validity, two obligations remain:
| Obligation | Deadline | Consequence if Missed |
|---|---|---|
Pay Annual Fee | By specified due date | License automatically deemed suspended; food business cannot operate |
Submit Annual Return (FSCR) | By specified due date | License automatically deemed suspended; penalties applicable |
| Business Category | Basic Registration Fee | State License Fee | Central License Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
General Manufacturers, Retailers, Wholesalers | ₹100/year | ₹5,000/year | ₹7,500/year |
Restaurants, Hotels (up to 4-star) | ₹100/year | ₹5,000/year | ₹7,500/year |
Storage, Transport, Distribution | ₹100/year | ₹5,000/year | ₹7,500/year |
Petty Snack/Tea Retailers | ₹100/year | ❌ Not available | ❌ Not available |
Hawkers (Itinerant Vendors) | ₹0 (waived) | ❌ Not available | ❌ Not available |
Importers, E-commerce, Nutraceuticals | ❌ Not available | ❌ Not available | ₹7,500/year |
The Tatkal scheme (launched July 1, 2024, updated in 2026) allows instant issuance of FSSAI licenses for qualifying low-risk food businesses through automated digital verification — no physical inspection required before approval.
How It Works: Apply on FoSCoS → Upload Aadhaar/PAN → System auto-verifies → License issued in hours → Post-grant inspections still occur (risk-based).
One of the biggest reliefs in the 2026 amendment: street vendors registered under the Street Vendors Act, 2014, are now automatically deemed registered with FSSAI. This eliminates the dual-registration burden.
What This Means: If you have a valid street vendor certificate from your municipal authority, you don’t need to file a separate FSSAI application or pay FSSAI registration fees.
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
Valid Street Vendor Certificate | You must have a valid registration/vending certificate issued by municipal authority under Street Vendors Act, 2014 |
Compliance | You must follow Schedule 4 hygiene requirements (sanitation, water quality, waste disposal, food handler hygiene) |
Subject to Inspections | Food safety officers can still conduct risk-based inspections; deemed status doesn’t prevent oversight |
Zero FSSAI Fee | No FSSAI registration fee required; local municipal fees still apply (if any) |
Start your food business legally. Quick, easy FSSAI registration. Apply now and grow with trust and compliance!
No. While turnover is a major factor, certain business types (importers, caterers, nutraceutical manufacturers) must obtain a higher license regardless of turnover. Always verify your business type in the official FoSCoS Kind of Business (KoB) Eligibility Matrix (updated April 1, 2026) before applying. Misclassification can result in penalties up to ₹10 Lakh.
₹1.5 Crore annually. This is up from ₹12 Lakh under previous rules (effective April 1, 2026). This means small food businesses with turnover up to ₹1.5 Crore now qualify for basic registration (₹100/year) instead of a more expensive State License.
Only if your premises are in multiple states. If you operate from one premise in Delhi but ship to Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad, you need only a State License for Delhi. A Central License is required only when you have food business locations in 2+ states.
It depends on the type. Only petty milkmen and milk vendors (turnover under ₹1.5 Crore) can get basic registration. Dairy processing plants, chilling units, and manufacturing facilities must obtain a State or Central License. All such businesses must comply with enhanced hygiene, safety, and testing requirements per official FSSAI FAQ (March 27, 2026).
Yes, always. Importers must obtain a Central License irrespective of turnover. Fee: ₹7,500/year. This applies to all food imports into India.
Not if registered under Street Vendors Act, 2014. They are deemed registered under FSSAI. However, they must still comply with Schedule 4 hygiene requirements and expect risk-based inspections. Food safety officers can still penalize non-compliance.
Yes, perpetual validity means your license doesn’t expire, but annual fee payment is still mandatory. If you miss the annual fee payment or don’t submit the annual return (FSCR), your license is automatically deemed suspended. You cannot operate during suspension. Pay all arrears to reactivate.
Usually within a few hours. Once you apply with verified Aadhaar/PAN, the system auto-verifies and issues your license instantly. No physical inspection is required before approval. Post-grant inspections still occur on a risk-based schedule
Yes, if turnover is under ₹1.5 Crore. Home bakers and tiffin services qualify as “Home-Based Canteen” on FoSCoS and can get basic registration (₹100/year). Caterers (even home caterers) are excluded and must obtain State License.
Yes, always. Health supplements, vitamins, protein powders, and dietary supplements must obtain a Central License irrespective of turnover. Fee: ₹7,500/year.
Yes, under different routes. Food manufacturing: 100% FDI allowed under automatic route (no government approval needed). Food retail/e-commerce: 100% FDI allowed under government approval route (case-by-case). Always verify the latest DPIIT Consolidated FDI Policy before finalizing investment structure.