Every food business in India needs an FSSAI approval before it starts. There are three tiers by turnover (slabs revised w.e.f. 1 April 2026): Basic Registration up to ₹1.5 crore, State License for ₹1.5 crore–₹50 crore, and Central License above ₹50 crore or for imports, exports and multi-state operations. Your 14-digit FSSAI number must be displayed on premises and packaging. Approvals now carry perpetual validity — no renewal cycle.
FSSAI Basic vs State vs Central — Decision Table
The three FSSAI tiers with the criteria, annual government fee, issuing authority and validity for each.
| Tier | Turnover / Criteria | Annual Fee | Authority | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Registration (Form A) | Up to ₹1.5cr — home kitchens, petty retailers, small/cottage FBOs | ₹100/yr | State Food Safety Dept | Perpetual |
| State License (Form B) | ₹1.5cr–₹50cr — manufacturers, processors, storage, distributors, larger outlets | ₹2k–5k/yr | State Food Safety Authority | Perpetual |
| Central License (Form B) | > ₹50cr, multi-state, imports/exports, ports & airports, FBO head office | ₹7,500/yr | FSSAI Central Authority | Perpetual |
Slabs and perpetual validity per the FSS (Licensing & Registration) Amendment 2026, effective 1 April 2026. State-licence fee varies by category and state. Confirm on the FoSCoS portal before applying.
Which FSSAI Tier Do You Need?
For most food businesses the answer is decided by annual turnover — with imports, exports and multi-state operations always pushing you to a Central License regardless of size.
Small food businesses — Form A
- Turnover up to ₹1.5 crore/year
- Home kitchens, home bakers, tiffin services
- Petty retailers, small dhabas & stalls
- Just ₹100/year government fee
- Applied at the state level
Mid-size FBOs — Form B
- Turnover ₹1.5 crore–₹50 crore/year
- Manufacturers, processors & storage units
- Distributors, transporters, larger restaurants
- ₹2,000–₹5,000/year (category-wise)
- State Food Safety Authority
Turnover is not the only trigger. Any importer or exporter of food, an operator working across multiple states, or units at ports, airports and seaports must hold a Central License even if turnover is below ₹50 crore. A single-state small business, by contrast, may only need Basic Registration.
Not sure whether you need Basic, State or Central?
Get My FSSAI Tier →Perpetual Validity — No More Renewals
The FSS (Licensing & Registration) Amendment 2026 (Gazette dated 10 March 2026), effective 1 April 2026, discontinued the old 1–5 year renewal cycle. FSSAI registrations and licences now have perpetual validity and do not expire. Instead of renewing, you keep the approval active by:
- Paying the annual fee (₹100 basic / ₹2k–5k state / ₹7,500 central)
- Filing the annual Food Safety Compliance Report (FSCR) on FoSCoS
- Displaying the 14-digit FSSAI number on premises & packaging
- Cooperating with risk-based inspections by Food Safety Officers
Perpetual does not mean unconditional. Failing to pay the annual fee or file the FSCR can automatically suspend or cancel your registration/licence until dues and penalty are cleared. Existing licences continue as perpetual — you do not need to re-apply.
Who Needs FSSAI Registration?
Every Food Business Operator (FBO) must obtain an FSSAI registration or licence before starting operations. This covers the entire food supply chain:
- Manufacturers & processors — food factories, bakeries, confectioners, dairy, beverages, oil & packaged-food units.
- Traders & distributors — wholesalers, C&F agents, food import agents and warehouses.
- Retailers — grocery stores, supermarkets and kirana shops above the petty-retailer threshold.
- Food service — restaurants, hotels, dhabas, canteens, caterers, cloud kitchens and tiffin services. See FSSAI for restaurants.
- Online platforms — Swiggy/Zomato sellers, cloud-kitchen operators and D2C food brands on e-commerce.
- Importers & exporters — always require a Central License.
Marketplaces such as Swiggy, Zomato, Amazon and Flipkart will not list a food seller without a valid 14-digit FSSAI number, and operating without one attracts penalties up to ₹5 lakh under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Getting the right tier from day one avoids delisting and re-application delays.
Selling food online or opening an outlet? Get your FSSAI number sorted first.
Start My FSSAI →Documents Required for FSSAI
Basic Registration needs minimal paperwork; State and Central Licences require more, including entity and premises proof. Common documents:
| Document | Required For |
|---|---|
| Photo ID of proprietor / director / partner | All tiers |
| Address proof of business premises (bill / rent agreement) | All tiers |
| Passport-size photograph | All tiers |
| List of food products to be handled | All tiers |
| Certificate of Incorporation / Partnership Deed | State & Central |
| Food safety management / HACCP plan | Central (large manufacturers) |
| Import Export Code (IEC) | Central (importers/exporters) |
| NOC from municipality / panchayat | State & Central (manufacturing) |
Applications are filed on the FoSCoS portal (foscos.fssai.gov.in); State licences may also route through the state food-safety department.
A food business often needs more than the FSSAI licence alone — GST registration once turnover crosses the threshold, and frequently an Udyam/MSME registration for benefits. Bundling these at setup keeps your compliance clean from the first invoice.
- FoSCoS portal (apply / annual return): foscos.fssai.gov.in
- FSSAI: fssai.gov.in
- Turnover slabs & perpetual validity: FSS (Licensing & Registration) Amendment 2026, Gazette 10 Mar 2026 (eff. 1 Apr 2026)
- Penalties: Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
Disclaimer: This guide is general information based on the law and notifications in force when it was last updated. It is not professional advice for your case — rates, thresholds and due dates change, so check the current position with the official source before you act on it.