Key Benefits
FSSAI License provides legal recognition and multiple business advantages for food operators across India.
Types of FSSAI Registration
It is mandatory for all food business operators — wholesalers, manufacturers, traders, suppliers, etc. — to obtain a license based on their annual turnover and type of food business. There are 3 types of FSSAI Registration:
Basic Registration
For small-scale food operators with annual turnover up to ₹12 Lacs
The following categories of food business operators are required to obtain Basic FSSAI Registration:
- Hawkers or Itinerant Vendors or Stall Holders
- Petty Retailers
-
Small scale or cottage or such other industries relating to food business or tiny food business operator having turnover of less than INR 12 Lacs/annum whose:
- Production capacity of food in all food processing units including re-labelers & re-packers does not exceed 100 Kg/Ltr per day.
- Handling and processing of the Milk products in Dairy Units is upto 500 LPD or 2.5 MT per annum.
- In case of Slaughtering units capacity is upto 2 Large animals, 10 small animals and 50 poultry birds per day.
State License
For medium-scale food operators with annual turnover up to ₹20 Crores
| Type of Business | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Dairy units including milk chilling units | 501 to 50,000 LPD of milk Or more than 2.5 MT to 2500 MT of milk solids per annum |
| Vegetable oil processing units | Upto 2 MT/day and turnover above 12 lakh |
| Slaughtering units | Large Animal (More than 2 upto 50/day) · Small Animal (More than 10 upto 150/day) · Poultry Birds (More than 50 upto 1000/day) |
| Meat Processing units | Upto 500 Kg meat per day Or 150 MT per annum |
| All food processing units including relabellers & repackers | More than 100 kg/ltr to 2 MT/day. All grains, cereals & pulses milling units. |
| Storage (Except Controlled Atmosphere and Cold) | Capacity upto 50,000 MT |
| Storage (Cold / Refrigerated) | Capacity upto 10,000 MT |
| Storage (Controlled Atmosphere + Cold) | Capacity upto 1,000 MT |
| Wholesaler | Turnover upto 30 crores |
| Retailer / Distributor / Supplier / Caterer / Restaurant / Marketer | Turnover upto 20 crores |
| Dhaba, Boarding houses, Banquet halls, Home-based Canteens/Dabba Wallas, Stall Holders, Food stalls in Religious gatherings/fairs, Fish/Meat/Poultry shops, Club Canteen | Turnover more than 12 lakhs/annum |
| Hotel | Three star & above and below Five star Or upto Three star and Turnover more than 12 lakhs |
Central License
For large-scale food operators with annual turnover more than ₹20 Crores
| Type of Business | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Dairy units including milk chilling units | More than 50,000 litres of liquid milk/day Or 2500 MT of milk solid per annum |
| Vegetable oil processing units | More than 2 MT per day |
| Slaughtering units | Large Animals (More than 50/day) · Small Animals (More than 150/day) · Poultry Birds (More than 1000/day) |
| Meat Processing units | More than 500 Kg meat per day Or 150 MT per annum |
| All food processing units including relabellers & repackers | More than 2 MT/day except grains, cereals and pulses milling units |
| Proprietary foods | All |
| 100% Export Oriented Units | All |
| Storage (Except Controlled Atmosphere and Cold) | Capacity more than 50,000 MT |
| Storage (Cold / Refrigerated) | Capacity more than 10,000 MT |
| Storage (Controlled Atmosphere + Cold) | Capacity more than 1,000 MT |
| Wholesaler | Turnover greater than 30 crores |
| Retailer / Distributor / Supplier / Caterer / Restaurant / Marketer | Turnover greater than 20 crores |
| Hotel | Five star & above |
Registration Process
FSSAI Registration follows a simple, structured 4-step process from application to certificate issuance.
Registration under FSSAI can be applied online by submitting the prescribed application along with the prescribed application fees with the concerned department. Application fees is based on the requirement whether the same is Basic Registration, State License or Central License.
Prescribed documents are required to be submitted to the Department along with the application form. Documents include identity and address proofs of the entity and its Directors/Partners/Proprietors, along with any other documents specific to the type of license required.
After receiving the application, the authorities examine the application and carry out a food inspection. The BIS officer verifies the capability of the applicant/manufacturer to meet Indian Standards and confirms the availability of complete testing facilities and competent technical personnel.
After receiving a satisfactory Inspection Report from the examiners, the FSSAI License is issued by the concerned authority. The license is valid for a period of approximately 1–5 years from the date of issuance, and the certificate is issued within approximately 60 days.
Penalty for Non-Registration
Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 — Consequences of Operating Without a License
As per the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 — if any person or food business operator, himself or by any person on his behalf who is required to obtain a license, manufactures, sells, stores, distributes or imports any article of food without a license, shall be punishable with:
Imprisonment
For a term which may extend to Six (6) Months
Fine
Which may extend to Five Lacs Rupees (₹5,00,000/-)