FSSAI registration and food licence. Earn the number on your label.

Every food business in India needs a registration or licence from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) before it starts. The 14-digit number goes on your packs, your menu and your premises. Define IPR Solutions works out which one you need and files the application.

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FSSAI in three numbers

The number, the tiers and the term

  • 14

    digits

    The length of the FSSAI number that must appear on food labels.

  • 3

    tiers

    Basic registration, a state licence or a central licence, by size and activity.

  • 5

    years, at most

    The longest term you can choose before the registration or licence is renewed.

Is it yours to get?

Who needs an FSSAI registration or licence

Anyone who makes, stores, moves, sells or imports food. These are the common cases.

  • Food manufacturers

    Every kind of food maker and processor, from a home kitchen to a factory.

  • Packers and repackers

    Units that pack, repack or relabel food.

  • Wholesalers and distributors

    Wholesale traders, distributors, storage and transport of food.

  • Restaurants, hotels and caterers

    Anyone who prepares and serves food, including cloud kitchens and canteens.

  • Online food businesses

    Sellers on food delivery and e-commerce platforms, and the platforms themselves.

  • Importers and exporters

    Businesses that bring food into India or send it abroad.

The licence lets you sell the food. It does not protect the name on the pack. A restaurant or food brand also needs a trademark, usually in Class 43 for restaurants or Classes 29 to 32 for food and drink.

How the number becomes yours

How FSSAI registration works

Five stages on the government's FoSCoS portal.

  1. 01 Tier

    Which one you need

    We check your turnover, capacity, activity and the states you work in, and identify the right registration or licence.

  2. 02 Documents

    Getting the papers ready

    Identity and premises proof for a registration. A licence adds layout plans, equipment lists and a food safety plan.

  3. 03 Application

    Filed on FoSCoS

    We file Form A for a registration or Form B for a licence, with the government fee for the term you choose.

  4. 04 Scrutiny

    Review and inspection

    The authority reviews the application and may inspect the premises. We answer any query raised.

  5. 05 Licence

    The 14-digit number

    The registration or licence is issued. We explain where the number must be displayed, and when to renew.

Three tiers

Registration, state licence or central licence?

Turnover is the main test. Production capacity and the type of activity can move a business into a higher tier.

TierYearly turnoverTypical business
Basic registration Up to ₹12 lakh Small makers, home kitchens, small retailers and stalls.
State licence Above ₹12 lakh, up to ₹20 crore Mid-sized manufacturers, restaurants, traders and storage units working in one state.
Central licence Above ₹20 crore Large businesses, importers, and those operating in more than one state.

Keeping it yours

What you get from Define IPR

  • The right tier, first time

    Applying in the wrong tier means starting again. We check before filing.

  • The application filed

    Forms, documents and replies to the authority, handled for you.

  • Renewals and changes

    Reminders before expiry, and help when your products or premises change.

  • The brand on the pack

    We register your food or restaurant name as a trademark.

What you need to apply

  • A photograph and identity proof of the owner or authorised person.
  • Proof of the premises: a rent agreement, a utility bill or ownership papers.
  • The registration documents of the business: incorporation certificate or partnership deed.
  • A list of the food products or categories you will handle.
  • For a licence: a layout plan of the unit and a list of equipment.
  • For a licence: a food safety management plan, and a water test report for manufacturers.

One thing to know

Apply to renew before the expiry date. A late renewal attracts a daily fee, and a lapsed licence means applying afresh.

Applications are made on FoSCoS, the licensing portal of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.

Before you decide

FSSAI registration, answered

What is FSSAI registration?

It is the permission a food business needs from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Depending on its size, a business gets a basic registration, a state licence or a central licence, each with a 14-digit number.

Who must have an FSSAI licence?

Every food business operator: manufacturers, packers, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, restaurants, hotels, caterers, online food sellers, transporters, importers and exporters.

What is the difference between FSSAI registration and an FSSAI licence?

Basic registration is for small businesses with a turnover of up to ₹12 lakh a year. Larger businesses need a licence: a state licence up to ₹20 crore, and a central licence above that or for importers and multi-state businesses.

How long is an FSSAI licence valid?

You choose a term of one to five years when you apply, and the fee depends on the term. It must be renewed before it expires.

Do home-based food businesses need FSSAI registration?

Yes. A home kitchen or a home baker selling food needs at least a basic registration, including when selling online or through social media.

Where must the FSSAI number be displayed?

On the label of packaged food, with the FSSAI logo. Restaurants and shops also display the registration or licence at the premises, and the number appears on bills and invoices.

How much does FSSAI registration cost?

The government fee depends on the tier and the number of years you choose. Our professional fee is added to that. We quote the total after a free consultation.

Last reviewed . This page is general information, not legal advice.

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