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FSSAI License Types Explained: Which One Does Your Food Business Need?
If you sell food in India in any form at all, an FSSAI license is not optional. Not for a restaurant. Not for a home baker taking Instagram orders. Not for a cloud kitchen. Not for a food importer or a snack brand selling on Swiggy. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 covers every person involved in manufacturing, processing, packaging, storing, distributing, or selling food. Operating without a valid FSSAI registration or license can attract a penalty of up to Rs. 5 lakh and imprisonment of up to six months under Section 63 of the Act.
The part most food business owners do not pay enough attention to is that FSSAI does not issue one generic license. There are three categories, and your category determines how you apply, what documents you need, how much you pay, and which authority oversees you. Getting the category wrong means either over-complying with a heavier license than you needed or, worse, operating under a lower category than your business qualifies for.
And in 2026, both the categories and the validity rules changed in ways that directly affect a large number of food businesses operating across India.
The Three Types of FSSAI Licenses
Basic Registration
This is for small food businesses. Under the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Amendment Regulations, 2026, notified on 10 March 2026 and effective from 1 April 2026, the Basic Registration threshold was raised significantly.
Before April 2026: Basic Registration applied to food businesses with annual turnover up to Rs. 12 lakh.
From April 2026: Basic Registration now covers food businesses with annual turnover up to Rs. 1.5 crore.
This is not a small change. It means a large number of street vendors, home-based food businesses, small restaurants, local eateries, and tiffin services that previously required a State License now qualify for the simpler, cheaper Basic Registration. If your annual turnover is below Rs. 1.5 crore and you are not in a category that mandates a higher license regardless of turnover, Basic Registration is your starting point.
Basic Registration is obtained using Form A on the FoSCoS portal and is typically processed in 7 to 10 working days. It is issued by the local authority.
State License
State License applies to mid-sized food businesses operating within a single state.
From April 2026: State License covers businesses with annual turnover between Rs. 1.5 crore and Rs. 50 crore.
Before April 2026, the State License threshold ran from Rs. 12 lakh to Rs. 20 crore. Both ends of the range shifted upward this year. This revision moved some businesses previously in State License territory down to Basic Registration, and moved others previously in State License territory up to Central License.
State License is also the required category regardless of turnover for certain specific business types within its scope, including 3-star and below hotels, medium-scale manufacturers, and dairy units handling between 501 liters and 50,000 liters of milk per day.
State License is applied for using Form B on the FoSCoS portal and is typically processed in 30 to 60 working days, depending on the state and whether a physical inspection is required. It is issued by the State Food Safety Department.
Central License
- Central License applies to large food businesses and to specific categories of food business regardless of turnover.
- From April 2026: Central License is mandatory for businesses with annual turnover above Rs. 50 crore.
- But turnover is not the only trigger for Central License. Several categories require Central License from the very first transaction, irrespective of how much they earn:
Importers of food products into India. Exporters and 100% export-oriented units. Food businesses supplying to Central Government agencies. Businesses operating on Central Government premises including airports, seaports, railway stations, and defence establishments. E-commerce food businesses operating nationwide. Businesses operating units in more than one state. 5-star hotels and above. Cold storage facilities above 10,000 metric tonnes. Transporters operating more than 100 vehicles or across multiple states.
If any of these apply, the size of the business is irrelevant. Central License is mandatory.
Central License is applied for using Form B on the FoSCoS portal and typically takes 60 to 90 working days to process, depending on inspection requirements.
The Turnover Threshold Change in 2026 at a Glance
Category | Before April 2026 | From April 2026 |
Basic Registration | Up to Rs. 12 lakh | Up to Rs. 1.5 crore |
State License | Rs. 12 lakh to Rs. 20 crore | Rs. 1.5 crore to Rs. 50 crore |
Central License | Above Rs. 20 crore | Above Rs. 50 crore |
If your business was operating on a State License and your turnover is below Rs. 1.5 crore, you may now qualify for Basic Registration. The 2026 regulation provides for automatic downward transition: when you reach your next renewal cycle, the category adjusts automatically without additional fees and without changing your license number.
Conversely, if your turnover has crossed Rs. 50 crore, you are now in Central License territory even if a State License was previously sufficient.
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The Perpetual Validity Rule: No More Renewals
- This is the other significant change from 1 April 2026 that every food business operator needs to know.
- Previously, FSSAI registrations and licenses were issued for a period of one to five years and had to be renewed before expiry. Missing renewal attracted daily late fees and risked license suspension.
- From 1 April 2026, all FSSAI registrations and licenses issued on or after this date carry perpetual validity. There is no expiry date. There is no traditional renewal cycle.
- But perpetual does not mean free in perpetuity. Annual fees must continue to be paid to maintain the registration or license in active status. Failure to pay the annual fee can result in suspension. The license number stays the same and the registration remains valid indefinitely as long as annual fees are current.
For existing licenses, the previous validity periods continue until the next renewal cycle. When those licenses are renewed after April 2026, they convert to perpetual validity automatically without any additional conversion fee.
Which License Does Your Specific Business Need?
- Home baker selling on Instagram or WhatsApp
If turnover is below Rs. 1.5 crore: Basic Registration. No physical premises inspection required for most Basic applications. Processing takes 7 to 10 days.
- Small restaurant or tiffin service
Turnover below Rs. 1.5 crore: Basic Registration from April 2026. Above Rs. 1.5 crore and below Rs. 50 crore: State License.
- Cloud kitchen listed on Swiggy or Zomato
E-commerce aggregators themselves need Central License. Individual cloud kitchens supplying through them fall under Basic or State depending on turnover. The kitchen entity is distinct from the platform.
- Food manufacturer packaging and selling in one state
Turnover below Rs. 1.5 crore: Basic. Rs. 1.5 crore to Rs. 50 crore: State. Above Rs. 50 crore: Central.
- Food importer or exporter
Central License. Always. Regardless of turnover. An Import Export Code from DGFT is also required and must be linked to the FSSAI profile during application.
- Multi-state food brand
The head office requires a Central License from the moment the business opens a second state location. Each unit in each state requires its own separate license based on that unit’s capacity and turnover.
- 5-star hotel
Central License. Always. Regardless of turnover. Hotels below 5-star but above Rs. 1.5 crore requires a State License.
How to Apply on the FoSCoS Portal
- All FSSAI applications go through foscos.fssai.gov.in. Offline applications have not been accepted since 2020.
- Create an account using your mobile number and email with Aadhaar verification. If there is an existing legacy FSSAI account, migrate it to FoSCoS using the migration link before starting a new application.
- Use the self-assessment eligibility checker on the portal to confirm which category applies before filling the form. This tool asks about turnover and business type and recommends the correct category. Selecting the wrong category at this step is one of the most common causes of application rejection.
- For Basic Registration, fill Form A. For State and Central License, fill Form B with the additional documentation those categories require including food safety management plans.
- Documents required for all categories include proof of identity of the proprietor, proof of premises address, and proof of business incorporation. From 2026, the FSSAI cross-checks submitted documents against GST portal and MCA records. The name on the electricity bill or rent agreement must match the business registration exactly. Any mismatch triggers a Document Mismatch query that delays the application.
- After approval, the 14-digit FSSAI license number must be displayed prominently on all food packaging, on the premises board, and on menus. This number also needs to be displayed on e-commerce listings. Swiggy, Zomato, and Amazon Pantry check this number during seller onboarding.
Annual Return Filing After License
State and Central license holders must file annual returns in Form D1 by May 31 every year, reporting the quantity and value of food products manufactured, stored, distributed, or sold during the previous financial year.
Basic Registration holders are not required to file annual returns.
FAQs
- What are the 2026 turnover thresholds for FSSAI license categories?
From 1 April 2026, Basic Registration covers food businesses with annual turnover up to Rs. 1.5 crore, raised from the earlier Rs. 12 lakh. State License now applies to turnover between Rs. 1.5 crore and Rs. 50 crore, raised from the earlier Rs. 12 lakh to Rs. 20 crore range. Central License applies to businesses with turnover above Rs. 50 crore, raised from the earlier Rs. 20 crore. These revised thresholds were notified by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 13 March 2026 and are effective from 1 April 2026.
- Does a food importer need a Central License even if the business is small?
Yes. Importing food into India requires a Central FSSAI License regardless of the size or turnover of the business. This is an activity-based trigger, not a turnover-based one. The Central License application must also include the Import Export Code from DGFT, which needs to be linked to the FSSAI profile during the application process on the FoSCoS portal. Each import consignment must additionally be cleared through the Food Import Clearance System at the port of entry.
- What does perpetual validity mean for FSSAI licenses from 2026?
From 1 April 2026, all FSSAI registrations and licenses issued on or after that date carry perpetual validity with no expiry date and no traditional renewal cycle. Annual fees must still be paid to maintain the license in active status. Failure to pay annual fees can result in suspension. Existing licenses issued before April 2026 continue under their original validity periods until the next renewal cycle, after which they automatically convert to perpetual validity without any additional conversion fee or change in license number.
- What penalty applies to operating a food business without an FSSAI license?
Operating a food business without a valid FSSAI registration or license attracts a penalty of up to Rs. 5 lakh and imprisonment of up to six months under Section 63 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Section 64 provides for enhanced penalties for subsequent offences, including a fine of Rs. 1 lakh per day. E-commerce platforms including Swiggy, Zomato, and Amazon check FSSAI registration numbers during seller onboarding and do not allow listing without a valid number.