FSSAI Registration / Food Licence in India

Yes. Every food business operator in India needs an FSSAI registration or licence, however small. Home kitchens, tiffin services and small home-based sellers with turnover up to Rs 12 lakh usually qualify for Basic Registration. Once you sell through an online marketplace, though, you need a valid registration or licence appropriate to your scale — and because FSSAI generally expects e-commerce food business operators to hold a Central Licence, it is best to confirm the correct tier before you onboard.

Registration is the entry-level approval for petty operators with turnover up to Rs 12 lakh. A licence — State or Central — is for larger operators and is issued under a more detailed process that often includes a premises inspection. Both give you a 14-digit number, but the eligibility, documents and scope differ.

You can choose a validity of one to five years at the time of applying. Paying upfront for a longer tenure saves you repeat renewal work. You should apply for renewal before expiry — ideally at least 30 days ahead — to keep operating without a break and avoid a late fee.

No. Food marketplaces and delivery aggregators require a valid FSSAI number before they let you list or fulfil orders. You will need a registration or licence suited to your scale, and FSSAI generally expects e-commerce food business operators to hold a Central Licence — so the exact tier is worth confirming before you onboard rather than assuming your existing registration will do.

Running a food business without the required approval is an offence under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Operating without a licence, where one is required, is dealt with under Section 63 and can attract a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh and imprisonment of up to six months. A petty operator who needed only Basic Registration and did not obtain it is generally dealt with under the Act's general penalty provisions, which carry lower penalties. Either way, you also lose access to marketplaces, buyers and formal banking, so the commercial cost usually outweighs the fine.

For a Basic Registration, the Registering Authority is generally expected to decide within about 7 days of receiving a complete application, or up to 30 days where a physical inspection is ordered. State and Central Licences run to a longer window — the Designated Officer is required to decide within 60 days — because they involve deeper scrutiny and, in most cases, an inspection. These are regulatory limits counted in calendar days, not guarantees, because the final grant rests with the authorities.

Generally yes. A business operating in more than one state needs a Central Licence for its head office and a State Licence or Registration for each additional location. A single licence rarely covers a multi-state operation, so it is important to map your locations before filing.

It is the unique registration or licence number issued to your food business. It must be displayed prominently at your premises and, where applicable, printed on your product labels and packaging. Displaying it is a legal requirement and also reassures customers that your business is regulated.