Starting a food business in India requires more than choosing a menu and setting up a shop. Whether it is a restaurant, café, food-processing unit, food outlet or another food-related business, operators must comply with food safety regulations and obtain the applicable FSSAI registration or licence.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulates food safety and sets standards for food businesses across the country. Registration and licensing are mandatory for Food Business Operators (FBOs) under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Why Is FSSAI Registration Important?
FSSAI registration or licensing establishes that a food business is operating under the applicable food safety framework. It is intended to ensure compliance with standards relating to the safety and quality of food.
Businesses that manufacture, process, store, distribute or sell food are required to obtain the appropriate registration or licence based on their business category and eligibility. FSSAI also provides food businesses with a unique licence or registration number for identification and compliance purposes.
How to Apply for an FSSAI Licence
Food businesses can apply online through FSSAI’s Food Safety Compliance System, known as FoSCoS. The earlier FLRS portal has been replaced by FoSCoS, which serves as the pan-India platform for food licensing and registration.
Applicants can visit the official FoSCoS portal, select the option to apply for a new licence or registration and provide the required business details and documents. The applicable fee depends on the type of food business and the licence or registration category.
The official FSSAI portal also provides eligibility criteria, application tracking, licensing guidance and other compliance-related services.
For applications, businesses should use the official FoSCoS website rather than third-party portals. FSSAI has specifically advised food business operators to avoid submitting information or making payments on unofficial websites.
Documents Required for FSSAI Registration
The documents required can vary depending on the nature and category of the food business. Applicants may be asked to provide identity and business-related information along with documents applicable to their particular type of operation.
These can include PAN or Aadhaar details, photographs, information about the person responsible for the food business, partnership or association documents where applicable, details of the food products being handled and information related to the food safety management system.
FSSAI’s FoSCoS platform provides business-specific eligibility criteria and details of the documents required for different categories.
Types of FSSAI Registration and Licence
The applicable FSSAI category depends on the turnover and other eligibility conditions of the food business. The rules were revised in 2026, with the new turnover thresholds taking effect from April 1, 2026.
Under the revised system, food businesses with annual turnover of up to ₹1.5 crore fall under Registration. Businesses with turnover above ₹1.5 crore and up to ₹50 crore require a State Licence, while businesses with turnover above ₹50 crore require a Central Licence.
These revised limits replace the earlier ₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore thresholds mentioned in the original information. FSSAI has also introduced perpetual validity for licences and registrations issued under the revised framework, subject to applicable compliance requirements.
Food business owners should therefore check the latest eligibility criteria on FoSCoS before submitting an application, as the applicable category depends on the current rules and the nature of the business.