Food License

Food License is mandatory before commencing any food business. Food License is required for all food related businesses such as manufacturers, traders, restaurants, small eateries, grocery shop, importers, exporters, home based food businesses, dairy farms, processors, retailers, e-retailers. It is a 14-digit registration Number which must be printed on food packages.

Advantages of Food License:

Food License offers various benefits which are as follows:
  • Consumer Awareness
  • Using the FSSAI Logo
  • The license will help you to establish your brand image
  • High degree of consumer confidence in quality and safety of food.
  • Trust on your brand
  • To facilitate food safety

Who needs Food License:

Food License is mandatory for everyone who sells products online or offline.

All suppliers will require license prior to start a business. Fssai is mandatory for who handles or operates the food between farm to plate i.e. manufacturing, packaging, sale, importing, exporting and storage of the food.

  • Food manufacturer who manufactures and sells the food products like biscuits and ready to eat products,
  • Dairy and Dairy processing,
  • Transporter transporting the food needs.
  • Processor like pickle, dry fruit maker will fall under this category,
  • Storages and warehouses
  • Restaurant and fast food center

Different Types of Food License:

FSSAI Central License:

If the annual turnover of the food business is more than Rs. 20 Cr. then central FSSAI License is required. FSSAI Central license is issued by the Central Government. In case you are in a business having multiple outlets in multiple cities then you need to go for central license for your Head office address and also need to get basic, state or central license for each outlet depending upon turnover. The tenure of license is minimum 1 year and maximum 5 years.

FSSAI State License:

Food business operators like small to medium-sized manufacturers, storage units, transporters, retailers, marketers, distributors etc. are however required to obtain the FSSAI State License. It is thus mostly for the units having an annual turnover of more than 12 lakh. The tenure of fssai license is minimum 1 year and maximum 5 years. Manufacturing units having capacity up to 2 MT per day, Dairy units handling business up to 50000 litters per day, 3 star hotels and above, re-packers and relabeling units, clubs canteens, all the catering business irrespective of their turnover needs to apply for State license.

Basic FSSAI Registration:

The Food business operators like petty food manufacturers storage units, transporters, retailers, marketers, distributors and also the small-sized manufacturers, are thus required to obtain the FSSAI Registration. If the annual turnover of a food business is below Rs. 12 lakh then basic fssai registration is enough for your business. Generally, when someone is starting up a business and unsure of expected turnover, basic food safety registration is done which can be upgraded to state license if the turnover exceeds Rs. 12 Lakh. The maximum tenure of this license is 5 years and the minimum is 1 year.

Documents required for Fssai Registration:

FOR STATE FSSAI LICENSE:

Registration Documents for food license:
  • Certificate of Incorporation/ Partnership Deed/ MOA & AOA
  • List of food products manufactured or processed or stored
  • Food safety management system plan if any
  • Trade License if available
  • List of Food Category
  • List of equipments
  • Declaration
Identity Proof of Proprietor/ Directors:
  • Copy of PAN of the proprietor /Directors/ Company
  • Passport size picture of proprietor /Directors
Address Proof of Proprietor/ Directors:
  • Address proof of proprietor /Directors (Aadhar, Passport, Voter Card, DL etc)
Proof of Premises:
  • Proof of possession of premises (Rental Agreement / Utility Bill)
  • NOC from Landlord
Time frame:
  • 30 to 50 working days

FAQ'S FOR FSSAI License State

Fssai Registration is categorized in there levels i.e. Basic fssai Registration, State fssai Registration and Central fssai Registration.
No, Fssai license is based on premises. If your are running food business activities at the same premises, you can apply for single fssai license.
On Suspension or cancellation License, a food business operator needs to stop all activities related to food business immediately. Carrying out food activity without any food license is attract penal provisions.
No, Fssai registration is a fully online process. As all forms are filed electronically. You would need to send us scanned copies of all the required documents. You can apply for fssai registration or food license from your home.
All food business operators including medical stores and pharmacies selling health supplements need to apply for license.
If you are running food business in two or more than two states, you are required to obtain central fssai license for your registered office in addition to separate fssai license for each unit.
Yes, you are required Central Fssai license on the address as mentioned in Import Export Code Certificate to import food items for sale in India.
Fssai license can be applied or renewed for minimum 1 year and maximum for 5 years at a time.