Last updated: 17 September 2026
Quick Answer: You get an FSSAI State Licence by filing Form B online on FoSCoS, for food businesses with turnover above ₹1.5 crore up to ₹50 crore. The government fee is ₹5,000 a year. Importers, e-commerce sellers and a few other businesses need a Central Licence instead, whatever their turnover.
An FSSAI State Licence is the middle tier of food licensing, issued by your State's food safety department. A licence issued from 1 April 2026 doesn't expire, but the fee is yearly.
Overview
| Point | What applies |
|---|---|
| Who needs it | Food businesses with annual turnover above ₹1.5 crore and up to ₹50 crore |
| Issued by | The State licensing authority (the Designated Officer of your district) |
| Form | Form B, filed online on the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) |
| Government fee | ₹5,000 per year |
| Decision time | Up to 60 days from the application ID, if nothing is missing |
| Validity | Valid unless suspended, cancelled or surrendered; the fee is still yearly |
| Source | FSSAI Order of 13 March 2026; FoSCoS Kind of Business list (updated 1 April 2026) |
Who needs an FSSAI State Licence?
You need an FSSAI State Licence if your food business turnover is above ₹1.5 crore and up to ₹50 crore a year. FSSAI's order revising turnover thresholds set this band from 1 April 2026, replacing the old ₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore limits.
| Your business | Licence you need |
|---|---|
| Turnover up to ₹1.5 crore | Basic Registration (₹100 a year) |
| Turnover above ₹1.5 crore, up to ₹50 crore | State Licence (₹5,000 a year) |
| Turnover above ₹50 crore | Central Licence (₹7,500 a year) |
| Grain, cereal or pulses milling unit | State Licence at any turnover |
| Caterer or mid-day meal caterer | State Licence up to ₹50 crore, even with a small turnover |
| Hotel rated up to 4-star | State Licence (registration if turnover is up to ₹1.5 crore) |
Your type of business can override turnover. Importers, exporters, e-commerce sellers, health supplement makers, airport and seaport food businesses, and head offices of multi-State businesses need a Central Licence, whatever they earn.
Does production capacity still decide a State Licence?
No, turnover decides it now. In the FoSCoS Kind of Business eligibility list, dairy, meat, fish and vegetable oil units move between tiers by annual turnover alone.
What documents do you need for an FSSAI State Licence?
Every applicant needs three core documents; manufacturers need more. This list is from Annexure 2 of the licensing regulations; FoSCoS shows the exact list for your Kind of Business.
| Who | Documents |
|---|---|
| Every applicant | Form B signed by the proprietor, partner or authorised signatory |
| Every applicant | Photo ID and address proof of the proprietor, partners, directors or authorised signatory |
| Every applicant | Proof of possession of the premises, such as a sale deed, rent agreement or electricity bill |
| Firms and companies | Partnership deed, affidavit or Memorandum and Articles of Association, plus a list of directors with addresses |
| Manufacturers | Layout plan of the unit, list of machinery with installed capacity, and the food categories you'll make |
| Manufacturers | Letter nominating a responsible person, and a lab test report of water used as an ingredient |
| Where applicable | NOC from the municipality and State Pollution Control Board (not needed in a notified industrial area), food safety plan, recall plan |
| Special cases | NOC from the manufacturer (relabellers), milk sourcing plan (dairy units), registration certificate (cooperatives) |
How much is the government fee for a State Licence?
FSSAI State Licence fees are a flat ₹5,000 per year in every State, whatever your Kind of Business. The old "₹2,000 to ₹5,000" range is out of date: ₹2,000 now applies only to some Central Licences for railway premises and Central Government catering units.
How do you apply for a State Licence on FoSCoS?
You apply on FoSCoS in five steps, using Form B:
- Select your State and your Kind of Business.
- Fill in Form B.
- Upload the documents for your Kind of Business.
- Pay the fee, ₹5,000 for each year you choose to cover.
- Save the 17-digit reference number on your receipt to track the application.
Answer any query from the State authority within 30 days, or the application stands rejected. It may also inspect your premises.
The licence is due within 60 days of your application ID. Once it's granted, display a copy prominently at your premises. If you'd rather not file alone, Jaagruk Bharat offers help with your FSSAI food licence application, filed on FoSCoS in your name. The State licensing authority still issues the licence.
How long is an FSSAI State Licence valid?
An FSSAI State Licence stays valid unless it is suspended, cancelled or surrendered. The amended regulation 2.1.7, notified on 10 March 2026, removed the old 1-to-5-year term, and FSSAI's FAQs on the 2026 reforms confirm that licences issued on or after 1 April 2026 have perpetual validity.
Two things can still stop your licence:
- Unpaid yearly fee: the licence is deemed suspended until you pay, and you can't run the business meanwhile.
- Missed annual return: manufacturers (including repackers and relabellers), importers and manufacturer-exporters file one by 31 May; missing it also triggers deemed suspension.
If your licence was issued before 1 April 2026, check its status on your FoSCoS dashboard. Once issued, customers can check whether your 14-digit FSSAI number is genuine.
When do you need a Central Licence instead of a State Licence?
You need a Central Licence once turnover goes above ₹50 crore, or you start a Central-only activity such as importing or e-commerce selling. If either applies, apply for a Central Licence on FoSCoS.
If the April 2026 thresholds moved your business to another tier, FSSAI's FAQs say FoSCoS migrates it on self-declaration, free, keeping your licence number.
What mistakes should you avoid when applying for an FSSAI State Licence?
- Filing Form A by mistake: that's Basic Registration. A State Licence uses Form B.
- Paying a site that claims to issue licences: FoSCoS guidance says FSSAI hasn't authorised any consultants or agents to fill applications. Check any private helper before you pay.
- Reading "no expiry" as "no fee": the fee is still yearly, so consider paying for several years at once.
- Mixing up the two numbers: the 17-digit reference number tracks your application. Your licence number has 14 digits and starts with 1 (2 means registration).
