This blog addresses questions related to FSSAI registration and license fees like How much does food license cost? How much does it cost to register FSSAI? Benefits of FSSAI registration followed by some Frequently Asked Questions.

What is FSSAI?

FSSAI stands for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. FSSAI is an organisation that ensures food safety in India. It is assigned with the task to provide Food licenses and Certifications to all (FBO) Food Business Operators in India. FSSAI makes sure that food articles are manufactured, stored, distributed, sold and imported safely. It is responsible for checking if the food is fit for human consumption and thereby prevent foodborne illness and injury.  Its main goal is to maintain Public health through a series of mechanisms, regulations and supervision in the country. 

All laws relating to food safety and science-based food quality checks are secured under the Food Safety and Standards Authority Act, 2006. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and State Food Authorities have been appointed for the enforcement of the above act. 

FSSAI Registration 

Obtaining FSSAI/Food license is a legal procedure. Section 31(1) and 31(2) of the FSSA Act, 2006 requires all food businesses in India to be licensed/ registered. The registration can be done at the State or Centre level. FSSAI registration can be acquired by filing Form A for registration or Form B for State or Central license to the Food Safety Department or submitting it online through the FoSCoS portal.

The Food Safety Department then will issue a license to various Food Business Operators. On the basis of the FSSAI fees paid at the time of registration, a number is issued to be printed on the product. The fees and procedure of obtaining an FSSAI license are more extensive than FSSAI registration.

What are the types of FSSAI licenses?

1. Basic FSSAI Registration
   The petty food business operators are required to get a Basic FSSAI Registration issued by the State Government for the period of 1-5 years. 
2. State FSSAI License
   The state authority issues the small to medium-sized food business operators the State FSSAI License with the validity of 1-5 years. 
3. Central FSSAI License
   Large Food business operators with an annual turnover of greater than 20 crores, 100% export units, importers, Central Government agency operators, airports and seaports are required to obtain a Central Food License from the Central Government. Its validity period stands between 1-5 years.  

Difference between FSSAI Registration and License

Eligibility for Basic FSSAI registration

Petty food businesses are those small scale businesses with a turnover of fewer than 12 lakhs per annum. The following Petty food businesses can apply for FSSAI registration– 

• Retailers, hawkers, vendors and temporary stall owners selling self-manufactured items
• Religious or social institution or gatherings distributing food items 
• Dairy units, milk chilling and milk products unit as well as meat and meat products unit with output not exceeding 100kg and 500 litres per day.  
• Vegetable oil processing units – solvent extraction and refineries, oil expeller unit producing 100 litres per day.  
• Slaughtering units with capacity (per day)
  • large animals:  2 
  • small animals: 10
  • poultry birds: 50

• All food processing units (grains, pulse or cereals ) and repackers having a capacity of upto 100 kg (per day). 
• Storage businesses with or without cooling having an annual turnover of up to 12 lakhs 
• Wholesalers, Retailers, distributors, suppliers, caterers with annual turnover of up to 12 lakhs.
• Owners of Dhaba’s, food vending establishments, clubs, canteens, transporters,  hotels and restaurants with annual turnover up to 12 lakhs.  

Who needs an FSSAI license?

An FSSAI license is for business operators that do not classify themselves as petty food businesses. This classification between petty, state level and central level business is done on the basis of size and nature of the business and the annual income and production.

The following business operators are eligible for a State Food License 

• Dairy units, milk chilling units (handling or processing milk) with output-501 -50,000 litres per day (LPD) or 2.5 million tons (MT) per annum.  
• Vegetable oil processing units – solvent extraction and refineries, oil expeller unit producing 2 MT per day or have annual turnover of Rs 12 lakh or above.  
• Slaughtering units with capacity (per day)
  • large animals:  <2 to 50 
  • small animals: <10 to 150 
  • poultry birds: <50 to 1000 
• Meat processing units with a capacity of up to 500 kg of meat (per day) or 150 MT (per annum).  
• All food processing units (grains, pulse or cereals ) and repackers having a capacity of < 100 kg (per ltr) and up to 2 MT (per day). 
• Storage businesses 
  • Without cooling – having a capacity of up to 50,000 MT. 
  • With cooling and refrigeration- having a capacity upto 10,000 MT  
• Wholesalers with an annual turnover of up to 30 crores.  
• Retailers, distributors, suppliers, caterers with annual turnover of up to 20 crores.
• Owners of Dhaba’s, food vending establishments, clubs and canteens with annual turnover of 12 lakhs.  
• Hotels with 3-5 star ratings.  
• Restaurants and marketers with a turnover of up to Rs 20 crores (per annum)   
• Transporters with minimum of 100 vehicles or wagons or turnover of up to 30 crores annually.

The following business operators are eligible for a Central Food License

• Dairy units, milk chilling units (handling or processing milk) with output- <50,000 litres per day (LPD) or 2500 million tons (MT per annum).  
• Vegetable oil processing units – solvent extraction and refineries, oil expeller unit producing more than 2 MT per day.  
• Slaughtering units with capacity (per day)
  • large animals:  <50 
  • small animals: <150 
  • poultry birds: <1000 
• Meat processing units processing meat < 500 kg (per day) or 150 MT (per annum).  
• All food processing units (grains, pulse or cereals ) and repackers having a capacity of < 2 MT (per day). 
• Storage businesses 
  • Without cooling – having a capacity of < 50,000 MT. 
  • With cooling and refrigeration- having a capacity of < 10,000 MT  
• Wholesalers with an annual turnover of more than 30 crores.  
• Retailers, distributors, suppliers, caterers with annual turnover of greater than 20 crores. 
• Hotels with 5-star ratings and above
• Restaurants and marketers with a turnover of more than Rs 20 crores (per annum)   
• Transporters with more than 100 vehicles or wagons or turn over of greater than 30 crores annually.
• All proprietary food manufacturers.
• All units with 100% exports
• All importers (commercial use)
• Food catering establishments under central government 

Click here for FSSAI License Form.

What are the benefits of an FSSAI license?

Legal Advantage:

Even though getting an FSSAI license seems like a time consuming and expensive process, in reality, it is not so. The cost (terms of money and time) for the whole procedure is less than if you get without a license. Thus it is advised to get a license before officially starting a food business. 

FSSAI Logo:

On the attainment of the license, you can print the FSSAI logo anywhere you want- on menu cards, shop doors and windows, pamphlets etc. the presence of the logo on your product will validate the purity and quality of the food item, giving you an edge over the other operators and helping develop a brand name. 

Business Expansion:

This license is an easy pass for expansion in new directions. The license will give your customers assurance of quality. In addition to that, it will become easier to get bank loans for expansion.

How much does it cost to register FSSAI? 

A basic FSSAI License costs Rs 100 for one year.

How much does food license cost?

Cost of FSSAI State License: Rs 2000- 5000 per year

Cost of FSSAI Central License: Rs 7500 per year

What is the fees for FSSAI Registration and License?

FAQ’S