CORPORATE LICENSES & IP

FSSAI License: Sell Food Legally

If your business touches food—whether you are manufacturing snacks, operating a cloud kitchen, importing packaged goods, or running a local grocery store—you must be registered with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Operating without this 14-digit FoSCoS license is a criminal offense that can lead to immediate business closure and penalties up to ₹5 Lakhs.

At The Online Tax, we navigate the complex FoSCoS portal for you. Whether you are a home baker needing a Basic Registration or a massive manufacturer requiring a Central License, our compliance experts classify your business accurately, draft your Food Safety Management System (FSMS) plans, and secure your license fast so you can confidently list on Swiggy, Zomato, or retail shelves.

Get Your FSSAI License

FSSAI Food License and Registration Services

THE 3 LICENSE TIERS

Which FSSAI Category Fits You?

Effective April 2026, the government significantly increased the turnover limits to reduce the compliance burden on small and medium food businesses.

Basic Registration

For petty food retailers, street vendors, home bakers, and small-scale operations.

Turnover: Up to ₹1.5 Crore annually.
Capacity: Production capacity of up to 100 kg/liters per day.
Application: Form A is filed with the local municipal authority.

State License

For mid-sized food manufacturers, restaurants, cloud kitchens, and intra-state distributors.

Turnover: Between ₹1.5 Crore and ₹50 Crore annually.
Capacity: Production between 100 kg and 2 MT per day.
Application: Form B is filed with the State Government.

Central License

For massive food corporations, nationwide e-commerce platforms, and all food importers.

Turnover: Above ₹50 Crore annually.
Mandatory For: E-commerce (Zomato/Swiggy operators), Importers, and multi-state chains regardless of turnover.
Application: Form B filed directly with the Central Government.

DOCUMENTATION

Strict Health & Safety Proofs

Basic registration requires simple KYC. However, if you are applying for a State or Central License, the FSSAI mandates rigorous proofs regarding your premise layout and water quality.

Owner Identity

Passport-size photograph, PAN card, and Aadhaar card of the Proprietor, Partners, or Directors.

Premise Proof & Layout

Rent agreement and NOC from the owner. For State/Central licenses, a blueprint or layout plan of the processing unit is mandatory.

Water Test Report

For manufacturing units, an official water testing report from an FSSAI-recognized laboratory confirming the water is safe as an ingredient.

FSMS Declaration

A formal Food Safety Management System (FSMS) plan or self-declaration affirming your commitment to hygiene standards.

CLARIFICATIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

Critical regulatory answers for Food Business Operators (FBOs).

No. FSSAI Basic Registration is a simplified certification for tiny businesses (turnover under ₹1.5 Crore) processed by local authorities. An FSSAI License (State or Central) is a much stricter legal authorization for larger businesses, requiring rigorous inspections, machinery lists, and water test reports.

Yes. The law applies to any entity that handles food, regardless of where it is cooked. Furthermore, digital food delivery aggregators like Swiggy, Zomato, and UberEats are legally forbidden from listing any kitchen that does not possess an active FSSAI 14-digit number.

Big Update: Starting April 2026, the FSSAI introduced perpetual validity for licenses and registrations. You no longer have to undergo the complete renewal process every 1 to 5 years. You simply maintain your compliance, pass risk-based inspections, and pay the annual retention fee to keep your license active indefinitely.

Yes. FSSAI licenses are highly location-specific. If you own a restaurant chain with five different outlets in a city, each outlet must have its own State License or Registration. Additionally, your corporate head office must secure a separate Central License.

Yes. Food Safety Officers conduct random inspections. If they find unhygienic conditions, adulterated food, or if you fail to file your Annual Returns on the FoSCoS portal, your license can be suspended. Operating during a suspension carries a penalty of up to ₹5 Lakhs and potential imprisonment.

fssai license