Applicability Of FSSAI For Food Business In India

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FSSAI Registration & License

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.

View all Eligibility Criteria Details for Food License
( FSSAI Registration or FSSAI License)

1. Petty Food Business Operators

  1. Petty Food Business Operators:  Manufactures or sells any kind of food by himself/herself, Petty retailer, hawker, itinerant vendor, temporary stall, Thela, Sweets Shop, Juice Stall etc. e.g Gol gappa stall, fruits/vegetables vendors, snacks stall, Tea Stall, Samosa, Bread pakoda, retail shops,
  2. Temporary Food Stalls like Chinese food stall, South Indian Food etc. Temporary or fixed stall or food premise involved in preparation, storage, distribution and sale of food products that can be served as a snacks/ tea/coffee and similar variants.
  3. Hawker – Selling packaged or freshly prepared food by travelling (usually on foot or movable carts) from one location to other

Criteria

Required License or Registration

Govt Fee Per Annum

Annual Turnover upto Rs. 12 Lacs

FSSAIRegistration

Rs. 100

2. Dairy Units including Milk Chilling Units

Dairy processing means handling, processing, manufacturing, packing, storing, distribution & transportation of milk and milk products.

Note: Registration for Petty Milkman, Milk Vendors, License for rest according to Eligibility criteria

Criteria

Required License or Registration

Govt Fee Per Annum

  • More than 50,000 Liters of Milk per day
  • More than 2500 MTof Milk Solid Per annum

FSSAI Central License

Rs. 7500

  • 10001 – 50,000 Ltrs of Milk per day
  • 501 MT – 2500 MT of Milk Solids per annum

FSSAI State License

Rs. 5000

  • 501 – 10,000 Ltrs of Milk per day
  • 2.5 MT – 500 MT of Milk Solids per annum

FSSAI State License

Rs. 3000

  • Upto 500 Ltrs of Milk per day
  • Upto 2.5 MT of Milk Solids per annum

FSSAI Registration

Rs. 100

3. Vegetable Oil Processing Units

Vegetable oil processing means processing of vegetables to produce vegetable oils by the process of solvent extraction/expeller and refining including oil expeller units.

Criteria

Required License or Registration

Govt Fee Per Annum

Proceesing is more than 2 MT per day


FSSAI Central License

Rs. 7500

Processing is Between 1-2 MT per day

FSSAI State License

Rs. 5000

Processing Below 1 MT per day 

FSSAI State License

Rs. 3000

Turnover upto Rs. 12 Lacs per annum

FSSAI Registration

Rs. 100

4. Slaughtering House

Slaughtering means a process of transporting, stunning, butchering, dressing, processing, storing & distribution of live animal/poultry birds

Criteria

Required License or Registration

Govt Fee Per Annum

  • Large Animals: More than 50
  • Small Animals: More than 150
  • Poultry Birds: More than 1000

FSSAI Central License

Rs. 7500

  • Large Animals: 3 to 50
  • Small Animals: 11 to 150
  • Poultry Birds: 51 to 1000


FSSAI State License

Rs. 2000/-

  • Large Animals: 2
  • Small Animals: 10
  • Poultry Birds: 50

FSSAI Basic Registration

Rs. 100

5. Meat Processing Unit

Meat processing means further processing of slaughtered animals/poultry birds into meat & meat products, packaging, storing & transportation of meat & meat products.

Fish processing means handling, processing of fish, manufacturing of fish products, packing, storing, distribution & transportation of fish and fish products

Criteria

Required License or Registration

Govt Fee Per Annum

More than 500 Kg Meat per day or More than 150 MT Meat per annum

FSSAI Central License

Rs. 7500

Upto 500 Kg Meat per day or Upto 150 MT Meat per annum

FSSAI State License

Rs. 3000/-

Turnover upto Rs. 12 Lacs per annum

FSSAI Basic Registration

Rs. 100

6. All Food Manufacturing/ Processing units other than Dairy Units, Vegetable Oil, Meat Processing and Slaughtering Houses

Manufacturing/Processing Unit means a person/entity which owns or operates an establishment that manufactures or processes a food product.
This term includes, but is not limited to contract manufacturers, contract packers and other entities that manufactures or processes a food product.

Manufacturing or processing means each step in conversion of raw material derived from livestock and agricultural produce into products for intermediate or final consumption. The process includes procurement, receipt, preparation,Manufacturing/processing, packaging, storage, distribution & transportation of food products.

Repacking means packing of food product into different sizes with labelling after doing minimal processing as required like sorting, grading, sieving etc. from wholesale packages. The food product is not manipulated & the composition or formulation is not affected or changed.

Criteria

Required License or Registration

Govt Fee Per Annum

Production Capacity: More than 2 MT per day

No Grains, Cereals or Pulses Milling Unit

FSSAI Central License

Rs. 7500

Production Capacity: 101 Kgs/Ltrs – 1 MT per Day. All Grains, Cereals, Pulses

Milling units without any limit on Production Capacity

FSSAI State License

Rs. 3000/-

Production Capacity: 1MT – 2 MT per Day

FSSAI State License

Rs. 5000/-

Turnover upto Rs. 12 Lacs per annum Or

Production capacity upto 100 Kgs/Ltrs per day

FSSAI Basic Registration

Rs. 100/-

7. Proprietary Food

Proprietary food means an article of food that has not been standardised under these regulations, but doesnot include novel foods, foods for special dietary uses, foods for special medical purposes,functional foods, nutraceuticals, health supplements and such other food articles which the Central Government may notify in this behalf.

Criteria

Required License or Registration

Govt Fee Per Annum

No restriction on production capacity

FSSAI Central License

Rs. 7500

8. Food or Health Supplements and Nutraceuticals etc.

As per Food Safety and Standards (Food or Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Foods for Special Dietary Uses, Foods for Special Medical Purpose, Functional Foods, and Novel Food) Regulations, 2016]

Criteria

Required License or Registration

Govt Fee Per Annum

No restriction on production capacity

FSSAI Central License

Rs. 7500

9. Non-specified food

“Non-specified food” means any food other than proprietary food or food ingredients, including additives, processing aids and enzymes for which standards have not been specified in any regulation made under the Act.

(They needed to apply for product approval under Food Safety and Standards (Approval of non-specified food and food ingredients) Regulations at FSSAI-HQ separately before applying for license.

Criteria

Required License or Registration

Govt Fee Per Annum

No restriction on production capacity

FSSAI Central License

Rs. 7500

10. Radiation processing of food

Radiation processing of food or food irradiation is a physical process in which food commodities, bulk or pre-packaged are exposed to controlled doses of energy of ionizing radiation such as gamma rays or X-rays to achieve different technological objectives.

Criteria

Required License or Registration

Govt Fee Per Annum

No restriction on production capacity

FSSAI Central License

Rs. 7500

11. Substances added to Food

Substances added to Food means Food Additives, Enzymes and their preparations, Source, Flavouring agents and their preparations, Processing Aids, Nutrients and their preparations, Microorganisms and Microbial Preparations & Functional Ingredients added to food as specified under Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulatio

Criteria

Required License or Registration

Govt Fee Per Annum

Production Capacity: More than 2 MT per Day

FSSAI Central License

Rs. 7500/-

Production Capacity: Up to 2 MT per Day

FSSAI State License

Rs. 5000/-

Turnover upto Rs. 12 Lacs per annum

FSSAI Basic Registration

Rs. 100/-

12. Storage - Cold/Refrigerated Cold/refrigerated

Storage is an activity where refrigerated/ frozen food products in packedor unpacked condition is stored for further distribution in refrigeration/ freezing storage facilities.

Criteria

Required License or Registration

Govt Fee Per Annum

Storage Capacity of More than 10,000 MT

FSSAI Central License

Rs. 7500/-

Storage Capacity Upto 10,000 MT

FSSAI State License

Rs. 2000/-

Turnover upto Rs. 12Lacs per annum

FSSAI Basic Registration

Rs. 100/-

13. Storage - Atmospheric Controlled + Cold Controlled Atmosphere

Storage is an activity where food products in packed or unpacked condition is stored for further distribution in controlled atmosphere storage facilities. A controlled atmosphere, generally used for storage of dry commodities & agricultural produce in which the concentrations of oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen, as well as the temperature and humidity of a storage room are regulated

Criteria

Required License or Registration

Govt Fee Per Annum

Storage Capacity of More than 1,000 MT

FSSAI Central License

Rs. 7500/-

Storage Capacity Upto 1,000 MT

FSSAI State License

Rs. 2000/-

Turnover upto Rs. 12Lacs per annum

FSSAI Basic Registration

Rs. 100/-

14. Storage - Without Atmospheric Controlled + Cold

Storage is an activity where food products in packed or unpacked condition is stored for further distribution in storage facilities, also called warehouses, godowns, etc

Criteria

Required License or Registration

Govt Fee Per Annum

Storage Capacity of More than 50,000 MT

FSSAI Central License

Rs. 7500/-

Storage Capacity Upto 50,000 MT

FSSAI State License

Rs. 2000/-

Turnover upto Rs. 12Lacs per annum

FSSAI Basic Registration

Rs. 100/-

15. Transporter

Transporter (having a number of specialised vehicles like insulated refrigerated van/wagon, milk tankers etc.)

Transportation is an activity of transporting food products (both packed and bulk) from one location to another in vehicles/containers including specialized vehicles like insulated refrigerated van/ wagon, oil/milk tankers etc. Food Trucks are also covered in this category

Criteria

Required License or Registration

Govt Fee Per Annum

More than 100 Vehicles and Turnover more than Rs. 30 Crores per annum

FSSAI Central License

Rs. 7500/-

Upto 100 Vehicles and Turnover upto Rs. 30 Crores per annum

FSSAI State License

Rs. 2000/-

Single Vehicle and Turnover upto Rs. 12 Lacs per annum

FSSAI Basic Registration

Rs. 100/-

16. Wholesaler

Wholesale is an activity in the distribution channel where food product is procured in bulk and then sold to resellers/retailers rather than to consumers

Criteria

Required License or Registration

Govt Fee Per Annum

Turnover more than Rs. 30 Crores per annum

FSSAI Central License

Rs. 7500/-

Turnover upto Rs. 30 Crores per annum

FSSAI State License

Rs. 2000/-

Turnover upto Rs. 12 Lacs per annum

FSSAI Basic Registration

Rs. 100/-

17. Distributor

Distribution is an activity in the distribution channel where food product is distributed from the original place of manufacture to the person who makes the final delivery or sale of the food product to the ultimate consumer

Criteria

Required License or Registration

Govt Fee Per Annum

Turnover more than Rs. 20 Crores per annum

FSSAI Central License

Rs. 7500/-

Turnover upto Rs. 20 Crores per annum

FSSAI State License

Rs. 2000/-

Turnover upto Rs. 12 Lacs per annum

FSSAI Basic Registration

Rs. 100/-

18. Retailer

Retail is an activity where food products is procured from a manufacturer, distributor or wholesaler and sold to the ultimate end user. E.g. Retail Shop/ Fish/ Meat/Poultry shop/ seller/Sweet Shop/Snacks/Confectionery or Bakery Shop

Criteria

Required License or Registration

Govt Fee Per Annum

Turnover more than Rs. 20 Crores per annum

FSSAI Central License

Rs. 7500/-

Turnover upto Rs. 20 Crores per annum

FSSAI State License

Rs. 2000/-

Turnover upto Rs. 12 Lacs per annum

FSSAI Basic Registration

Rs. 100/-

19. Hotel

Hotel is a commercial establishment providing lodging, meals, and other guest services. In general, to be called a hotel, an establishment must have a minimum of six letting bedrooms, at least three of which must have attached (ensuite) private bathroom facilities.

Criteria

Required License or Registration

Govt Fee Per Annum

Five Star and Above

FSSAI Central License

Rs. 7500/-

Three Star and Four Star

FSSAI State License

Rs. 5000/-

One Star, Two Star or Hotel without Star Rating by Ministry of Tourism (HRACC)

FSSAI State License

Rs. 2000/-

Turnover upto Rs. 12 Lacs per annum

FSSAI Basic Registration

Rs. 100/-

20. Restaurant

Restaurant is a type of food service operation which prepares, serves food and drinks to customers in exchange for money. Meals are generally served and eaten on the premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services, and some offer only take-out and delivery.

Criteria

Required License or Registration

Govt Fee Per Annum

Turnover more than Rs. 20 Crores per annum

FSSAI Central License

Rs. 7500/-

Turnover upto Rs. 20 Crores per annum

FSSAI State License

Rs. 2000/-

Turnover upto Rs. 12 Lacs per annum

FSSAI Basic Registration

Rs. 100/-

21. Club/Canteen

Canteen or Cafeteria is a dining area in an institution/ establishment serving food (being prepared in the premises or procured from other location or source) to individuals associated with or visiting the institution

Criteria

Required License or Registration

Govt Fee Per Annum

Turnover upto Rs. 20 Crores per annum

FSSAI State License

Rs. 2000/-

Turnover upto Rs. 12 Lacs per annum

FSSAI Basic Registration

Rs. 100/-

22. Caterer

Food Service Establishment involved in preparation, storage, serving and /or transport of food for consumption of a group at a venue of ceremony/celebration /ritual/institution

Criteria

Required License or Registration

Govt Fee Per Annum

Turnover more than Rs. 20 Crores per annum

FSSAI Central License

Rs. 7500

Turnover upto Rs. 20 Crores per annum

FSSAI State License

Rs. 2000/-

23. Food Vending Agencies

Sale of packaged/fresh food from a temporary or fixed stall/cart/ machine by an individual or by automation.

Criteria

Required License or Registration

Govt Fee Per Annum

More than 100 Vending Machines and/or located in two or more States/UTs

FSSAI Central License

Rs. 7500

Upto 100 Vending Machines in only one State/UT

FSSAI State License

Rs. 2000/-

Turnover upto Rs. 12 Lacs per annum or Upto 12 Vending Machines in only one State/UT

FSSAI Basic Registration

Rs. 100

24. Dhaba /Banquet halls with food catering arrangements / Home Based Canteen

  • Dhaba: Food service establishment generally located near roadside/highway involved in processing, storing, packaging and selling of food to
    customers for consumption
  • Boarding houses serving food:A building providing food and lodging for paying guest.
  • Banquet halls with food catering arrangements: A specified area such as hall which is used for the purpose of hosting parties/ ceremonies involved in preparation and serving of food to customers for consumption.
  • Home Based Canteens/ Dabba Wallas: An individual or establishment involved in distribution of packed meals (usually packed lunch) from food service establishments such as home based caterer or restaurants to customers.
  • Permanent/ Temporary stall Holder: A stand/booth/compartment/small covered area being used for preparation and /or sale of freshly prepared or packaged food for consumption. This structure maybe temporary or permanent (fixed).
  • Food stalls/ Arrangements in religious gatherings/ fairs etc: A stand/booth/compartment/small covered area being used for preparation and /or sale or distribution of freshly prepared or packaged food being offered as Prasad in a religious institution.

Criteria

Required License or Registration

Govt Fee Per Annum

Turnover more than Rs. 12 Lacs per annum

FSSAI State License

Rs. 2000/-

Turnover upto Rs 12Lacs per annum

FSSAI Basic Registration

Rs. 100

25. Importers

Importers importing food items including food ingredients and additives for commercial use Import is an activity where articles of trade from a foreign source is brought into a domestic market in the course of trade

Criteria

Required License or Registration

Govt Fee Per Annum

Importing any type of food product with no limit on the capacity

FSSAI Central License

Rs. 7500

26. Food Business Activities at premises of Central Govt Agencies

Food Business Activities at premises of Central Govt Agencies such as Storage, Wholesale, Distribution, Retail etc

Criteria

Required License or Registration

Govt Fee Per Annum

No limit on Capacity or Turnover

FSSAI Central License

Rs. 7500

27. Departmental Canteens at the premises of Central Govt. Institutions

Food Service Establishment involved in preparation and serving of food for consumption of a group of individuals working or visiting central government agencies

Criteria

Required License or Registration

Govt Fee Per Annum

Turnover More than Rs. 12 Lacs per annum

FSSAI Central License

Rs. 7500/-

Turnover upto Rs. 12 Lacs per annum

FSSAI Registration

Rs. 100/-

28. Food Business Activities at premises of Airport/Seaport

Food Business Activities at premises of Airport/Seaport such as Storage, Wholesale, Distribution, Retail etc.
Food Service Establishment involved in preparation and serving of food at airports/seaports

Criteria

Required License or Registration

Govt Fee Per Annum

No limit on Capacity or Turnover

FSSAI Central License

Rs. 7500/-

29. Mid-day Meal Caterer –

The Midday Meal Scheme is a school meal programme of the Government of India designed to better the nutritional standing of school-age children nationwide. The programme supplies free lunches on working days for children in primary and upper primary classes in government, government aided, local body, Education Guarantee Scheme, and alternate innovative education centres, Madarsa and Maqtabs supported under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, and National Child Labour Project schools run by the ministry of labour. Caterer preparing and transporting food to institutions under Midday meal scheme.

Criteria

Required License or Registration

Govt Fee Per Annum

Turnover More than Rs 20 Crores per annum

FSSAI Central License

Rs. 7500/-

Turnover upto Rs. 20Crores per annum

FSSAI State License

Rs. 2000/-

30. Mid-Day Meal Canteen

Canteens serving food under mid-day meal scheme in Schools

Criteria

Required License or Registration

Govt Fee Per Annum

Turnover more than Rs. 12 Lacs per annum

FSSAI State License

Rs. 2000/-

Turnover upto Rs 12 Lacs per annum

FSSAI Basic Registration

Rs. 100

31. Exporters

  • 100% EOU – FBO having certificate from Ministry of Commerce
  • Manufacturer Exporter
  • Merchant/Trader

Criteria

Required License or Registration

Govt Fee Per Annum

No limit on Capacity or Turnover

FSSAI Central License

Rs. 7500/-

32. Caterers/Restaurants/Canteens/Hawkers/Petty Retailers at the premises of Railway Stations

Criteria

Required License or Registration

Govt Fee Per Annum

Turnover More than Rs. 12 Lacs per annum

FSSAI State License

Rs. 2000/-

Turnover upto Rs 12 Lacs per annum

FSSAI Basic Registration

Rs. 100

33. E-Commerce

E-commerce also known as electronic commerce or internet commerce, refers to the buying and selling of goods or services using the internet, and the transfer of money and data to execute these transactions. Ecommerce is often used to refer to the sale of physical products online, but it can also describe any kind of commercial transaction that is facilitated through the internet

Criteria

Required License or Registration

Govt Fee Per Annum

No limit on Capacity or Turnover

FSSAI Central License

Rs. 7500/-

34. Head Office/Registered Office

Food Business Operators having food business activities in two or more States/UTs have to declare one Head Office/Registered Office. Documents for Head office License only Documents for Head Office License along with Food Business Activity

Criteria

Required License or Registration

Govt Fee Per Annum

No limit on Capacity or Turnover

FSSAI Central License

Rs. 7500/-

Frequently asked Questions (FAQ)

FSSAI licenses issued to food businesses are valid for a period of 1 to 5 years.

It is mandatory to apply for licence renewal 30 days before the expiry of the existing licence. Non-renewal of licences can fetch a fine of ₹100 per day until the renewal is done.

The registered office of your company will need a central licence. Your manufacturing units will also need individual state licences for each state they’re in.
 

Yes, you do. You need a central licence registered from the address in the import export code.

Yes, whether you manufacture, distribute, transport or trade food additives, you will need an FSSAI licence to do it.

It is mandatory for all catering establishments, even the railways, defence and airport to get an FSSAI licence.

Perhaps you have a few separate warehouses within one city, then you will need a separate licence for each. If all your warehouses are confined to one campus, however, you can apply for a single licence citing the campus’s address.

Yes, the process is 100% online. We will provide you with a dashboard in which you can comfortably do everything.

For a basic FSSAI registration, it takes 7-10 days from the day the application is filed. For state and central licence, it may take up to 30 days to get your licence.

You will need to obtain an FSSAI Central License if you are distributing food products in multiple states. This is because a Central License is valid throughout India, while a State License is only valid in the state where it is issued.