FSSAI Licence Number Decoder
Paste any 14-digit FSSAI licence or registration number to instantly decode its state, year of issue and premises code — a live format check, no login needed.
- Free — no sign-up
- Instant, on-screen results
- Built by our CA · CS team
- Rules cited on the page
Fill in the details — the answer on the right updates as you go.
Position-by-position breakdown
| Position | Meaning | Value |
|---|
Need an FSSAI licence, renewal or modification?
Our team gets your Basic Registration, State or Central Licence filed and issued on FoSCoS.
Disclaimer: This decoder interprets the commonly-understood 14-digit FSSAI number structure for reference only. It validates format, not active status or authenticity. Always verify a licence on the official FoSCoS portal (foscos.fssai.gov.in).
How the 14-digit FSSAI number is built
Every food business in India carries a 14-digit FSSAI number — either a Basic Registration number or a State / Central Licence number. The digits are not random: they encode the licensing context, the state where the licence was issued, the year of issue, the registering authority, and a unique running number for the premises.
| Digits | What it represents |
|---|---|
| 1 | Licensing tier / registration indicator. A leading 1 denotes the standard registration/licensing scheme code. It signals the licence category context (Basic Registration vs State vs Central licence, read together with the authority code). |
| 2 – 3 | State code. The two-digit code of the state or UT that issued the licence — the same numeric codes used for GST states (01–38). |
| 4 – 5 | Year of issue. The last two digits of the year the licence / registration was granted (e.g. 20 = 2020). |
| 6 – 8 | Registering authority / body code. A three-digit code identifying the issuing office or registering body within the state. |
| 9 – 14 | Unique premises number. A running serial that uniquely identifies the manufacturer, outlet or premises under that authority. |
Note: FSSAI publishes the block structure but does not officially publish every authority-code mapping; the above is the widely-used interpretation. Treat the decode as a guide and confirm details on FoSCoS.
How to verify an FSSAI licence properly
Decoding the number confirms it is well-formed. To confirm a licence is active and genuine, follow these steps:
Decode here
Paste the 14-digit number above to confirm it is the right length and to read its state and year.
Open FoSCoS
Go to foscos.fssai.gov.in → "FBO Search" / "Check Your FBO" and enter the licence number.
Match details
Confirm the business name, address, category and validity dates match the number you decoded.
Check validity
Ensure the licence status is "Active" and the expiry date has not passed before you rely on it.
Key terms explained
14-digit number
Both the FSSAI Registration certificate and the Licence carry a 14-digit number. Anything shorter or longer is not a valid FSSAI number — it must be exactly 14 numeric digits.
FBO
A Food Business Operator is any person or entity that manufactures, stores, distributes or sells food. Every FBO in India must display its FSSAI number on packaging and premises.
FoSCoS
Food Safety Compliance System — the official FSSAI portal (foscos.fssai.gov.in) that replaced FLRS. Apply, renew and verify licences and search any FBO by number there.
Registration vs Licence
Basic Registration is for small FBOs (turnover up to ₹12L). State Licence and Central Licence cover larger operators, importers and multi-state businesses.
Questions people ask
Short answers on FSSAI Number Decoder. Tap a question to open it.
01What does a 14-digit FSSAI number mean?
The first digit shows whether it is a registration (2) or a licence (1). The next two digits are the year of issue, the following two the state code, then one digit for the issuing authority level, and the last eight digits are the unique serial for the business.
02Why must the FSSAI number be printed on packaging?
The Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations require the licence number and the FSSAI logo to be displayed on every food package and on the menu card or premises of a food service business. It lets consumers verify the operator.
03How can I check whether a licence is genuine?
Decode the number here for the state, year and authority, and then verify it on the FSSAI FoSCoS portal, which shows the licence holder's name, address, validity and product categories.
04What should I do if a supplier gives an invalid number?
Do not accept the consignment on that basis. Buying from an unlicensed food business exposes your own licence to action, since the FSS Act places responsibility on every operator in the chain.
05Does the number change on renewal?
No. The 14-digit number stays the same across renewals; only the validity period changes. It changes only if you take a different licence category or a new premises.
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Disclaimer: This tool gives indicative results for general guidance only and is not professional advice. Please verify with a qualified CA before acting on the numbers.