The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is one of the most important organisations under the government of India, which oversees food safety practices in the nation. Every business entity or individual working in the food industry is required to apply for a license called the FSSAI food license, which is issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
It is a legal compulsion for everyone working in the food industry to apply for and possess a valid FSSAI license to operate legally in the country. However, those who do not apply for one will be subjected to serious, unpleasant legal consequences.
Read the article to learn more about the FSSAI food license, ranging from its meaning, need, and disadvantages to the processes of registration and checking FSSAI food license status or the FSSAI food license category list.
Overview
The table below summarises some key details about the FSSAI Food License/Registration that one should know.
| Name of the card | FSSAI Food License/Registration |
|---|
| Issued by | Food Safety and Standards Authority of India |
| Under the act | Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 |
| Purpose | To ensure that all the businesses, whether small or large, comply with the basic safety and hygiene norms |
| How much is the FSSAI license fee? | Basic Registration: Rs. 100 per year State license: Rs. 2000 to Rs. 5000 per year Central license: Rs. 7500 per year |
| Mode of application | Online |
Read More: Pradhan Mantri Formalisation Of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme
What Is An FSSAI Food License?
The FSSAI license is an official authorisation issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). It is a license that proves that a certain business entity complies with the food safety and hygiene standards as laid down by the concerned authority under the government of India. FSSAI works under the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006.
This license is mandatory for businesses that are involved in the operations related to food, and all of them cannot work legally in the nation of India without getting this authorisation first. The FSSAI license was mandated by the Indian government to ensure that all businesses, whether small or large, comply with the basic safety and hygiene norms so that the consumers' health can remain unaffected.
What Is The Need For The FSSAI License?
An FSSAI certificate is extremely crucial as it allows a food-related business entity to run its operations legally within the boundaries of India. All the food-related business units must apply for an FSSAI food license to work freely in India. Businesses that do not have a valid FSSAI license will be subjected to several legal consequences, like penalties, shutdowns, etc., which negatively affect not only the workings of their businesses but their reputation as well.
One of the crucial components of running a successful business is having a loyal customer base, which only comes after gaining consumers’ confidence and trust. And one of the ways for gaining that trust, especially for food-related business units, is by having the FSSAI logo affixed on their products. The FSSAI logo ensures the consumers that whatever they are purchasing to consume is safely prepared following the regulated guidelines of safety.
Also Read: Government Rollouts Phase II of Subsidy Sales of Wheat, Rice Under 'Bharat' Programme To Check Price Rise
Who Needs An FSSAI Food License?
All those individuals who are involved in any kind of food-related business must have an FSSAI food license to work legally in the country. From large manufacturers to small home-based cooks who supply their food, all of them need to apply for either a basic registration license, a state license, or a central license.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Not Having An FSSAI License?
Business units that do not have an FSSAI license will face several consequences and disadvantages. Some of the major serious disadvantages are described below in brief points:
-
Business entities or individuals in the food sector will not be able to work legally in the nation without an FSSAI license.
-
An FSSAI license helps businesses in the food industry gain consumers’ trust. Hence, entities that do not have an FSSAI license, consumers usually avoid purchasing and consuming their products.
-
Without an FSSAI food certificate, the business entities or individuals will be ordered to stop their operations, along with bearing serious legal consequences.
Who Are Eligible For An FSSAI License?
Interested individuals are required to fulfil all the eligibility criteria of the scheme to start the FSSAI food license online apply process. The criteria are as follows for one’s better understanding:
-
Restaurants, hotels, cafes, and food trucks
-
Catering businesses and event canteens
-
Food manufacturers and processors
-
Online food delivery services
-
E-commerce food platforms and sellers
-
Retailers, wholesalers, and food distributors
-
Dairy units, meat processors, and packaged food manufacturers
Non-Eligibility Criteria
Parties that cannot apply for the FSSAI license because they fall into the ineligibility criteria are as follows:
-
Business entities or individual entrepreneurs, irrespective of the size of their work, not involved in any food-related activity, cannot apply for the FSSAI food license.
-
Business entities working in food-related activities, but with illegal documentation, cannot apply for the food license.
Read More: What Are The Top Online Food Order Scams In 2025?
Types Of FSSAI Food License
There are three major types of FSSAI food licenses for which businesses can apply based on their annual turnover and scale. Those three types of FSSAI food licenses are as follows:
-
FSSAI Basic Registration: The Basic Registration is created for small businesses with an annual turnover of up to Rs. 12 lakh. This certificate covers a category of entities, such as small food manufacturers, small retailers, home kitchens, and street vendors.
-
FSSAI State License: The FSSAI State License is for medium-sized business entities with an annual turnover ranging between Rs. 12 lakh to Rs. 20 crore. This certificate covers manufacturers, storage units, transporters, wholesalers, and restaurants established in a single state.
-
FSSAI Central License: The Central License is for large-scale business entities operating in multiple states in India with an annual turnover of more than Rs. 20 crore. This certificate covers entities, such as importers, exporters, large-scale food manufacturers, food processing units, storage facilities, etc.
Read More: Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS)
How To Apply For an FSSAI License?
The application process for this license is completely online, and therefore, one can apply for it from the comfort of their home. The FSSAI food license online apply process is laid down below in a stepwise manner for one’s better understanding:
FSSAI Registration Online Process
Step 1: To begin the FSSAI registration, please visit the official website of the FoSCoS portal.
Step 2: Click on the ‘Apply for New License/Registration’ option.
Step 3: Select the state you are situated in and then the type of business you own. If you have an online business, select the ‘e-commerce’ option under the Trade/Retail category, which will redirect you to apply for a Central License.
Step 4: Fill the application form carefully and accurately.
Step 5: Upload the scanned copies of all the required documents.
Step 6: Make the FSSAI license fee payment using the online payment methods available on the portal and complete the FSSAI license apply process.
Step 7: After applying, please note the 17-digit reference number, which you can use to track your respective FSSAI food license status.
What Are The Documents Required To Apply For An FSSAI License?
There are some documents that the applicants are required to attach while completing the FSSAI food license online apply process. The list of those documents is:
-
Aadhaar card
-
Proof of address of your business
-
Business-related documents, like Partnership agreements, Certificate of Incorporation, or a Self-declaration for proprietorship
-
Food Safety Management System Plan (a plan to be made by the business entity describing the measures of safety and cleanliness they will take)
-
If it’s a manufacturing or processing food business unit, please submit a detailed layout of your premises
-
No Objection Certificate from the local municipal corporation
How To Renew FSSAI Food License?
FSSAI food license is valid for up to a period of 5 years, after which all the licenseholders must renew their respective licenses to run their business legally and smoothly in compliance with the law. Please note that all the FSSAI licenseholders are required to complete the renewal process within 180 days after the expiration of the license, post which penalties will be charged.
The process of food license renewal can be completed easily by following an online process, which is mentioned below, so let’s look at the steps of FSSAI license renewal:
Step 1: To begin the FSSAI renewal, please visit the official website of the FoSCoS portal.
Step 2: Click on ‘license renewal’ option and fill in the Registration no. and validity to log in.
Step 3: Fill in the renewal application form carefully and accurately.
Step 4: Upload the scanned copies of all the required documents.
Step 5: Recheck the filled information and complete the FSSAI license renewal process.
What Are The Documents Required For FSSAI Food License Renewal?
Food licenseholders who are applying for renewal have to attach some supporting documents for the same, such as:
-
Copy of expired FSSAI license
-
Aadhaar card
-
Proof of address of your business
-
Business-related documents, like Partnership agreements, Certificate of Incorporation, or a Self-declaration for proprietorship
-
Food Safety Management System Plan (a plan to be made by the business entity describing the measures of safety and cleanliness they will take)
-
If it’s a manufacturing or processing food business unit, please submit a detailed layout of your premises
-
No Objection Certificate from the local municipal corporation
How To Download The FSSAI Food License?
People can complete the process of FSSAI food license download by following the steps laid down below:
Step 1: To begin the FSSAI food license download process, please visit the official website of the FoSCoS portal.
Step 2: Log in to the portal and click on the ‘My Applications’ section.
Step 3: Navigate to the ‘Issued Licenses’ option.
Step 4: And then, click on the FSSAI License download PDF option, save the license on your device, and print it later.
Penalties For Having An Expired FSSAI Food License
All food-related business units and individual entrepreneurs need to comply with the FSSAI regulations to avoid punitive actions by the government. Punitive actions can be in the form of:
-
If any business or individual is caught operating in the food industry without a valid FSSAI license, they will be levied with a fine of up to Rs. 5 lakh.
-
If any business or individual is misbranding their food, they will have to pay a fine of up to Rs. 3 lakh.
-
In instances wherein businesses or individuals are selling unsafe food products, they will have to pay a fine of up to Rs. 1 lakh with 6 months of imprisonment.
-
In serious cases wherein any injury is caused to people, or someone unfortunately loses their life after consuming a food product, the culprit business entity or individual will be sentenced to lifetime imprisonment along with hefty fines.
Conclusion
FSSAI food license is not simply a legal formality but a way of ensuring the safety and integrity of a business or individual working in the food industry. The license represents that the licenseholder takes all safety actions that every food-related business is expected and required to take for the safety of all consumers.
Stay updated with Jaagruk Bharat to get the latest information on government schemes and more, and reach out to us via our community page if you have any questions or want to share your thoughts.
Why Choose Jaagruk Bharat Services For FSSAI Food License Apply Online?
Did you know that Jaagruk Bharat provides various online services to people, like applications, renewals, etc.? Allow Jaagruk Bharat to help you and apply for an FSSAI Food License on your behalf in just a few clicks! Get 24/7 support, expert assistance, online services, and a hassle-free application Process with Jaagruk Bharat.
