FSSAI Licence Requirements For Manufacturers, Restaurants, Traders, E-commerce & More

Every food business in India must meet Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) registration or licensing requirements before it begins operations. Whether a manufacturer, restaurant, trader or e-commerce business needs registration, a state licence or a central licence depends largely on its turnover and the nature of its activities. 

From 1 April 2026, the turnover thresholds are ₹1.5 crore for registration, ₹1.5 crore to ₹50 crore for a state licence and above ₹50 crore for a central licence. These revised limits have replaced the earlier ₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore thresholds. FSSAI registrations and licences are now valid until suspended, cancelled or surrendered, subject to annual fee payment and ongoing compliance.

What are the FSSAI registration and licence categories in 2026?

FSSAI has three categories, and your annual turnover places you in one of them unless your activity requires a central licence. The following table shows the limits that apply to new applications made on or after 1 April 2026:

FSSAI licences and registrations are issued separately for each food business premises. If an FBO operates premises or units in more than one state, it must declare one premises as its head office and obtain a Central Licence for the head office. Each other unit or premises must obtain a separate central licence, state licence or registration, depending on its eligibility.

These requirements continue under the revised licensing framework introduced from 1 April 2026. The revised turnover thresholds are registration up to ₹1.5 crore, state licence above ₹1.5 crore and up to ₹50 crore, and Central Licence above ₹50 crore. Existing FBOs are being given time to migrate through FoSCoS to the appropriate category based on the revised thresholds.

For migration caused by the revised turnover thresholds, FSSAI states that no fee is applicable. The migration is carried out automatically by the system based on the FBO's self-declarations and does not require approval from the Licensing or Registering Authority. The existing licence number also remains unchanged after migration.

Which food businesses need a central licence at any turnover?

While turnover is the primary basis for determining the applicable FSSAI category, certain food business activities fall under central jurisdiction. Such businesses require a central licence irrespective of turnover, even when their annual turnover is below ₹1.5 crore.

Examples of food businesses that require a central licence based on the nature of their activities include: 

• Importers of food and food ingredients, who need the licence before goods are cleared at customs
• Exporters, including merchant exporters and 100% export-oriented units
• E-commerce food business operators that run a platform selling food online
• Manufacturers of health supplements, nutraceuticals, food for special medical purposes and other foods that need prior product approval from FSSAI
• Food businesses at airports, seaports and premises of central government agencies such as railways, which apply to the central authority (small units here take a central registration instead of a licence)

What FSSAI requirements apply to food manufacturers?

A food manufacturer generally follows the turnover-based FSSAI thresholds, unless the product or activity falls under a category that requires a central licence. For example:

• A spice grinding unit with annual turnover of ₹80 lakh generally requires FSSAI registration.
• A biscuit manufacturer with annual turnover of ₹12 crore generally requires a state licence.
• A health supplement manufacturer requires a central licence irrespective of turnover.

Repackers and relabellers are also treated as manufacturers under FSSAI regulations. This means they must obtain the registration or licence applicable to their business. Similarly, a brand owner that has food products manufactured through a contract manufacturer must obtain its own FSSAI registration or licence. The product label must carry the FSSAI licence numbers of both the brand owner and the manufacturer.

FSSAI food safety requirements after category migration

Moving to a lower FSSAI category does not mean that a manufacturer can relax its food safety controls. FSSAI’s FAQs dated 27 March 2026 clarify that manufacturers of dairy products, meat, fish, packaged drinking water and infant food must continue to comply with applicable hygiene, food safety and testing requirements even when they fall under registration.

Annual return requirements for manufacturers

Licensed manufacturers, including repackers and relabellers, manufacturer-exporters and importers must file Form D-1 Annual Return through FoSCoS by 31 May for activities carried out during the previous financial year. A delay attracts a late fee of ₹100 per day from 1 June until filing, subject to a maximum of five times the annual licence fee. 

FSSAI licence and compliance requirements for restaurants 

Restaurants, cafés, dhabas, home-based canteens and similar food-service businesses generally fall under FSSAI's turnover-based eligibility criteria. From 1 April 2026, the revised thresholds are registration up to ₹1.5 crore, state licence above ₹1.5 crore and up to ₹50 crore, and Central Licence above ₹50 crore. You must also consider the applicable kind of business (KoB) and any activity-specific criteria.

For example:

• A café with annual turnover of ₹60 lakh generally requires FSSAI registration.
• A restaurant with annual turnover of ₹4 crore generally requires a state licence.
• A caterer with annual turnover above ₹50 crore requires a Central Licence.

FSSAI licensing is issued separately for each food business premises. A business operating multiple outlets or separate food-processing facilities must ensure that each premises has the applicable FSSAI registration or licence for the activities carried out there. Where an FBO operates premises in more than one state, FoSCoS requires one premises to be declared as the head office, with a central licence for the head office and separate licensing or registration for other locations according to their eligibility.

Cloud kitchens are also required to obtain FSSAI registration or a licence according to their eligibility, even if they operate without seating arrangements. Selling food through an e-commerce platform does not remove this requirement. The platform may hold a separate Central Licence as an e-commerce FBO, while the cloud kitchen must maintain the registration or licence applicable to its own food business activities.

What compliance requirements apply to restaurants?

Obtaining an FSSAI registration or licence is only one part of a restaurant's food safety obligations. Restaurants must:

• Display the Food Safety Display Board (FSDB) where customers can easily see it.
• Print their 14-digit FSSAI number on bills or cash memos issued to customers.
• Apply for an FSSAI hygiene rating if they want to have their food hygiene standards assessed and displayed to customers. This rating is voluntary and is conducted through an approved audit agency.

FSSAI requirements for retailers, wholesalers and traders

Retailers, wholesalers and distributors generally follow the revised turnover-based FSSAI eligibility criteria. From 1 April 2026, Registration applies up to ₹1.5 crore turnover, a state licence above ₹1.5 crore and up to ₹50 crore, and a Central Licence above ₹50 crore. For example, a kirana store with ₹90 lakh turnover generally requires Registration, while an edible oil wholesaler with ₹8 crore turnover requires a state licence.

Traders selling sealed food products are not exempt from FSSAI requirements and may require registration or licensing based on their activity. Repacking food into different sizes with labelling is treated as a manufacturing activity. Importers require a central licence regardless of turnover. Where multiple food business activities are carried out at the same premises, they can generally be covered under one licence, with the applicable licence category and relevant activities endorsed on it.

What FSSAI licence do e-commerce food sellers need?

The FSSAI requirement depends on the role of the business and the nature of its online activity. An e-commerce FBO that facilitates online transactions or sales of food requires a Central Licence under the E-Commerce category, with no turnover threshold, for its head or registered office. However, a platform that only provides listings and does not undertake activities covered by the applicable definition of e-commerce may not require an e-commerce licence, although it must list only FBOs with valid FSSAI registration or licences.

A seller using an online marketplace or delivery platform must separately hold the FSSAI registration or licence applicable to its own food business. For example, a home baker with ₹30 lakh annual turnover would generally fall within the registration threshold for the applicable food-business category, subject to any activity-specific criteria. E-commerce platforms must display each seller's valid FSSAI Licence or registration number and cannot list sellers without one.

FSSAI's December 2024 advisory also requires food delivered through e-commerce to have at least 30% shelf life or 45 days before expiry at the time of delivery. A business selling its own food products through its own e-commerce website must also obtain an FSSAI licence under the e-commerce category.

What about storage, transport, import and export businesses?

Cold storage operators, warehouses and food transporters must obtain the FSSAI registration or licence applicable to their specific KoB and eligibility criteria. A transporter can obtain one FSSAI registration or licence covering all vehicles of the same transporter or business rather than securing a separate approval for each vehicle. Food importers require a central licence regardless of turnover. Exporters should select the applicable exporter or merchant-exporter KoB in FoSCoS and verify the corresponding eligibility criteria.

A separate provision applies to street food vendors, hawkers, food carts, food trucks and similar food businesses registered under the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014. These businesses are deemed to be registered under the Food Safety and Standards Act and do not need a separate FSSAI registration application. However, they must continue to comply with the hygiene and sanitary requirements specified under Schedule 4 of the FSSAI licensing regulations.

What documents do you need for FSSAI registration or a licence?

The documents required depend on whether you are applying for FSSAI registration or a licence. Registration requires basic business details, while a licence requires supporting documents that show your premises, operations and food safety controls. Keep the following documents ready in scanned format before starting the application.

For basic FSSAI registration in Form A, keep the following ready:

• Photograph of the applicant
• Government-issued photo identity proof
• Proof of the address of the business activity, where required
• Details of the food business and applicable food categories

For a state or central licence in Form B, additional documents may include, depending on the business:

• Constitution or business documents, such as a partnership deed, proprietorship declaration or MoA/AoA, as applicable
• Details of directors, partners or other responsible persons, where applicable
• Government-issued identity and address proof of the proprietor, partner, director or authorised signatory
• Blueprint or layout plan of the processing unit and details of equipment and machinery for manufacturing or processing units
• Chemical and bacteriological analysis report of water used as an ingredient, where applicable
• Food Safety Management System plan or certificate, where applicable
• Authority letter nominating the responsible person and an alternate responsible person for manufacturers or processors

Fees are paid per year at the rates in the categories table. Under perpetual validity, you can choose to pay for several years at once, and you can pay at any time of the year.

How do you apply for an FSSAI licence on FoSCoS?

Follow the given process to apply for an FSSAI licence: 

1. Open FoSCoS and select Apply for License/Registration.
2. Choose your state, then your kind of business and turnover, so the portal shows the category you need.
3. Fill in Form A for registration or Form B for a licence.
4. Upload the documents for your category.
5. Pay the fee for the number of years you choose.
6. Note the application reference number and track the status on FoSCoS.
7. Reply to any query from the authority within the time given, or the application may be rejected.
8. Download the certificate once it is approved.

Under the 2026 reforms, registration is issued without a pre-inspection. Licence applications may still involve an inspection of the premises before approval.

What businesses must do after obtaining an FSSAI licence 

A licence issued on or after 1 April 2026 stays valid until it is suspended, cancelled or surrendered, but several duties continue for as long as you trade:

• Pay the annual fee on time for the years you have chosen.
• Display the registration or licence certificate at a place customers can see.
• Print the 14-digit FSSAI number on cash memos, bills, invoices and purchase invoices. FSSAI exempts only system-generated government documents such as the GST e-way bill (FSSAI order on licence numbers in invoices).
• File Form D-1 by 31 May each year if you are a licensed manufacturer or importer.
• Apply for a modification on FoSCoS when you add products, change premises or change the people in charge.
• Apply to move category if your turnover crosses ₹1.5 crore or ₹50 crore.

What happens if you run a food business without an FSSAI licence?

Running a food business that requires a licence without obtaining one can attract a penalty under Section 63 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The penalty may extend to ₹10 lakh.

Operating in the wrong category also counts as non-compliance. A business with ₹65 crore turnover that holds only a state licence can face action even though it has a valid certificate. The same applies when your licence does not list a product or activity you have started. Food safety officers can also issue an improvement notice for hygiene lapses, and the authority can suspend or cancel the licence if the notice is not followed.

Conclusion

Start by checking whether any of your activities require a central licence irrespective of turnover. Then compare the previous financial year’s turnover for each premises with the ₹1.5 crore and ₹50 crore thresholds. If your business now falls into a different category, complete the required update on FoSCoS, so your FSSAI registration or licence reflects your current operations.

Going forward, keep turnover and invoicing records accurate and up to date. The right accounting software, such as TallyPrime, can help you track sales, maintain compliant invoices and monitor turnover against FSSAI thresholds, making it easier to identify when a change in licence category may be required.