FSSAI Registration (Food License)

What is FSSAI registration? FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) registration/licence is mandatory for all food businesses operating in India — including manufacturers, processors, distributors, retailers, restaurants, caterers, and online food sellers. The type of licence (basic registration, state licence, or central licence) depends on annual turnover and scale of operations. Virtual Auditor handles the complete FSSAI registration process. Quick Answer: FSSAI Registration (Food License) — FSSAI registration and food license online. Basic, state, and central FSSAI license. For food businesses, restaurants, manufacturers, e-commerce food sellers.

Regulatory Framework

FSSAI registration and licensing is governed by the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, administered by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Three categories: Basic Registration (annual turnover up to Rs 12 lakhs), State License (Rs 12 lakhs to Rs 20 crores), and Central License (above Rs 20 crores or multi-state operations). FSSAI license number must be displayed on all food product labels.

FSSAI — Registration vs State Licence vs Central Licence

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1

Determine licence type (Basic/State/Central)

Step 2

Register on FoSCoS portal

Step 3

Upload documents and food safety plan

Step 4

Pay applicable fees

Step 5

Receive FSSAI licence number

When This Service Is Not Required

FSSAI registration may not be required when: (a) you are a farmer selling raw, unprocessed agricultural produce directly, (b) the food business is a petty manufacturer or street vendor whose annual turnover does not exceed Rs 12 lakhs (basic registration still required at no cost), (c) the business does not involve manufacturing, processing, packaging, or selling food products, or (d) the food activity is exempt under the FSSA 2006 (e.g., certain religious institutions distributing prasad). All other food businesses — restaurants, cloud kitchens, packaged food, catering — require FSSAI registration or licence.

If you are unsure whether your situation requires fssai registration (food license), contact us for a free preliminary assessment. We will advise you honestly — including telling you if you do not need our services.

Documents Required

The following documents are needed to initiate the fssai registration (food license) process:

Photo identity proof of the proprietor, partners or directors, proof of possession of the premises (rent agreement or ownership document, with NOC where rented), Certificate of Incorporation or partnership deed where the applicant is an entity, list of food products or categories, a Food Safety Management System plan, a list of equipment and machinery and a water test report for manufacturing units, and the Form A (basic registration) or Form B (State or Central licence) filed on the FoSCoS portal. Import-export businesses add the IEC; transporters add vehicle details.

We provide a personalised document checklist after the initial consultation, tailored to your specific entity type and situation. Documents can be shared securely via email or our client portal.

What You Receive

Upon completion of the fssai registration (food license) engagement, you will receive: the FSSAI Registration Certificate or State/Central Licence with the 14-digit FSSAI number issued through FoSCoS, the food business operator's FoSCoS login, the certificate in printable form for display at the premises, digital copies of Form A or Form B and all uploaded documents with acknowledgment, and a note on renewal (apply at least 30 days before expiry) and the annual return (Form D1, for manufacturers and importers).

All deliverables are reviewed by CA V. Viswanathan (FCA, ACS, CFE, IBBI RV) before release to ensure accuracy and regulatory compliance.

Updated for FY 2026-27

This service page reflects the regulatory requirements as of November 2026, incorporating the Income-tax Act, 2025 (in force from 1 April 2026), the Finance Act, 2026, the GST notifications and circulars of October–November 2026, recent MCA notifications, CBDT/CBIC circulars and RBI master directions applicable to fssai registration (food license). Virtual Auditor continuously monitors regulatory updates to ensure all advice and filings are current.

What has changed in the law — reviewed October 2026

• Income-tax Act, 2025: assented to on 21 August 2025 and in force from 1 April 2026, it replaces the Income-tax Act, 1961 for tax year 2026-27 onward, and the Income-tax Rules, 2026 (notified 20 March 2026) replace the 1962 Rules. Section and rule numbers on this page are those of the 1961 Act and 1962 Rules, which continue to govern assessments, appeals and pending proceedings for assessment years up to 2026-27; for tax year 2026-27 onward the corresponding provisions of the 2025 Act apply, and our engagement letters quote both.