If you sell, manufacture, store, transport, or distribute food in India — whether a small tea stall, a home-based tiffin service, a restaurant, or a large food processing unit — you are legally required to register with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Since 2020, all FSSAI applications are processed through a single online portal called FoSCoS (Food Safety Compliance System), replacing the older Food Licensing and Registration System (FLRS). This guide explains exactly who needs which type of FSSAI registration, the fees involved, the documents required, and the step-by-step process to apply online in 2026.
Who needs FSSAI registration or license?
- ●Street food vendors, hawkers, and small eateries with annual turnover up to ₹12 lakh
- ●Restaurants, cafes, cloud kitchens, and catering businesses
- ●Grocery stores, kirana shops, and food retailers
- ●Food manufacturers, processors, and packagers
- ●Food importers and exporters
- ●Dairy, meat, and fish processing units
- ●E-commerce food businesses and food delivery aggregators
- ●Transporters and warehouse operators handling food items
Types of FSSAI registration: Basic, State, and Central
The type of registration or license you need depends entirely on your business's annual turnover and scale of operations, not the type of food business you run.
| Category | Basic Registration | State License | Central License |
| Annual turnover | Up to ₹12 lakh | ₹12 lakh to ₹20 crore | Above ₹20 crore |
| Who applies | Small vendors, home kitchens, petty retailers | Mid-size manufacturers, restaurants, hotels | Large manufacturers, importers/exporters, businesses in multiple states |
| Validity | 1 to 5 years | 1 to 5 years | 1 to 5 years |
| Issuing authority | State/local FSSAI office | State FSSAI office | Central FSSAI headquarters |
Turnover, not business size or number of outlets, decides your category. If your turnover crosses ₹12 lakh during the year, you must upgrade from Basic Registration to a State License within 30 days.
Documents required for FSSAI registration
- ●Passport-size photograph of the applicant
- ●Government-issued photo ID proof (Aadhaar, Voter ID, or Passport)
- ●Business address proof (electricity bill, rent agreement, or property tax receipt)
- ●Proof of business constitution — Partnership Deed, Certificate of Incorporation, or Shop & Establishment registration
- ●List of food products to be manufactured or sold
- ●NOC (No Objection Certificate) from the local municipal body, where applicable
- ●Water test report from a recognised laboratory, for manufacturing units
- ●Form B (self-declared application form), duly signed
- ●Bank account details of the business
Step-by-step: How to apply for FSSAI registration on FoSCoS
- 1Go to the FoSCoS portal at https://foscos.fssai.gov.in and click 'Sign Up' under the 'Food Business Operator' (FBO) section
- 2Select your state, enter your mobile number and email ID, and complete OTP verification to create your login
- 3Log in and click 'Apply for New License / Registration' from the dashboard
- 4Choose your category — 'Basic Registration', 'State License', or 'Central License' — based on your annual turnover
- 5Select your business type from the dropdown (e.g., Petty Food Business Operator, Restaurant, Manufacturer, Transporter)
- 6Fill Form A (for Basic Registration) or Form B (for State/Central License) with business name, address, and food product categories
- 7Upload the required documents — ID proof, address proof, photograph, and constitution proof — in the specified format (PDF/JPEG, under 100 KB each)
- 8Review the auto-calculated fee based on your license type and validity period (1 to 5 years), then click 'Save & Next'
- 9Pay the fee online via net banking, debit card, or UPI through the portal's integrated payment gateway
- 10Note down the 17-digit Application Reference Number (ARN) displayed on the confirmation screen — use this to track your application status
- 11For State and Central Licenses, a Food Safety Officer may schedule a site inspection before approval
- 12Once approved, download your FSSAI Registration Certificate or License with the 14-digit FSSAI License Number from the 'My Application' section
FSSAI registration and license fees (2026)
| Basic Registration | ₹100 per year |
| State License (small manufacturers, restaurants) | ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 per year, depending on category |
| State License (storage, transport) | ₹2,000 per year |
| Central License | ₹7,500 per year |
| Duplicate license/registration certificate | 10% of the applicable license fee |
Operating a food business without a valid FSSAI registration or license is a criminal offence under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. It can attract a penalty of up to ₹5 lakh and imprisonment of up to 6 months. Selling food that does not meet safety standards can attract even higher penalties, including up to 7 years imprisonment in serious cases.
Validity and renewal
FSSAI Registration and Licenses are issued for a period you choose between 1 and 5 years — the longer the validity, the higher the total fee, but choosing a longer period saves you from repeated renewals. Apply for renewal at least 30 days before expiry through the same FoSCoS portal using the 'Renew' option on your dashboard. A late fee of ₹100 per day applies if you renew after the expiry date.
Common mistakes to avoid
- ●Applying for Basic Registration when your turnover already exceeds ₹12 lakh — this can lead to penalties during inspection
- ●Uploading blurry or oversized documents that get rejected during verification
- ●Not updating the license when you add a new food product category or open a new outlet
- ●Forgetting to display the FSSAI license number and QR code visibly at the business premises, as required by law
- ●Missing the renewal deadline and continuing to operate on an expired license
Once issued, you must display your FSSAI license number on all packaging, hoardings, and bills. Many banks and government schemes like PM SVANidhi and PM Mudra Yojana also ask for your FSSAI registration as proof of a legitimate food business when you apply for a loan.
Helpline and support
For queries related to registration, application status, or technical issues on the FoSCoS portal, call the FSSAI toll-free helpline at 1800-112-100, or email the support team through the 'Contact Us' section on foscos.fssai.gov.in. You can also visit your nearest State FSSAI office or Food Safety Commissioner's office for in-person assistance.