FSSAI Registration & Licensing
Last updated: August 2026 · Reviewed by the Ravel Corporate Advisors team
If you make, package, sell or serve food, an FSSAI licence is the law — and a mark of trust. We identify the right category for your business and handle the entire application, from a small home kitchen to a large manufacturer.
Key takeaways
- Mandatory for all food businesses, including small and home-based units.
- Basic: up to ₹1.5 crore turnover.
- State: ₹1.5 crore to ₹50 crore turnover.
- Central: above ₹50 crore, or importers/exporters & multi-state businesses.
Who needs an FSSAI licence?
Every “food business operator” — manufacturers, packers, processors, restaurants, hotels, caterers, sweet shops, tea stalls, packaged-food sellers, and even home-based and online food entrepreneurs — needs an FSSAI registration or licence. The tier depends on your turnover and scale.
Which category do you need?
| Category | Who it’s for | Turnover |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Registration | Home bakers, hawkers, petty retailers, micro units | Up to ₹1.5 crore |
| State Licence | Mid-size restaurants, regional manufacturers, distributors | ₹1.5 crore – ₹50 crore |
| Central Licence | Importers/exporters, multi-state businesses, large manufacturers | Above ₹50 crore (or regardless of turnover) |
Documents required
| Tier | Typical documents |
|---|---|
| Basic | Photo ID (Aadhaar/Voter/PAN/DL/Passport); passport photo; proof of premises (rent agreement/utility bill); business constitution proof; food product/category list |
| State | Above + Form B; premises layout/blueprint; list of partners/directors; equipment & capacity list; food safety management plan; water test report; local NOC |
| Central | Above + detailed FSMS plan; IEC for importers; source of raw material (milk/meat) where applicable; ministry documents as relevant |
Process
- Category assessment — Basic, State or Central based on your scale.
- Documentation — prepared and verified.
- Application filing on the FoSCoS portal.
- Follow-up & inspection readiness — queries and (for State/Central) inspection handled.
- Licence issued — your 14-digit FSSAI number, valid 1–5 years.
Benefits beyond compliance
- Legal permission to operate and avoid penalties.
- The FSSAI logo builds customer trust.
- Eligibility to list on Swiggy, Zomato and other platforms.
- Access to wholesale, institutional and export buyers.
Learn more about the higher tiers: FSSAI State Licence and FSSAI Central Licence.