FSSAI Registration &Food Licence in India

FSSAI registration (or food licence) is a legal authorisation issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) — the apex body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act)— to every individual or entity engaged in the manufacture, processing, storage, distribution, sale, import, or export of food products in India. Section 31 of the FSS Act makes it mandatory for every food business operator (FBO) to obtain FSSAI registration or licence before commencing food business activities — there are no exemptions based on business size, legal structure, or business model.

The FSSAI registration system has three tiers based on the scale and nature of the food business: Basic Registration for small food businesses with turnover up to ₹12 lakh, State Licence for medium businesses with turnover ₹12 lakh–₹20 crore, and Central Licence for large businesses with turnover above ₹20 crore or multi-state / import-export operations. Each tier involves a different form, fee, processing authority, and compliance obligation. Since 2021, all FSSAI applications are processed through the FoSCos (Food Safety Compliance System) portal at foscos.fssai.gov.in — replacing the older FLRS system.

The 14-digit FSSAI licence number issued upon registration is not merely a compliance certificate — it is an integral part of doing food business in India. Every food product label must carry the FSSAI number and logo. E-commerce food platforms (Swiggy, Zomato, Amazon Fresh, Blinkit, BigBasket) require FSSAI registration before onboarding a vendor. Corporate and institutional buyers require FSSAI compliance as part of vendor empanelment. Export certifications from APEDA and other bodies require a valid FSSAI licence. Restaurant aggregators, hotel booking platforms, and event caterers are subject to periodic FSSAI inspections — and a valid licence is the first document checked.

The consequences of operating without FSSAI registration are severe: a fine up to ₹5 lakh for operating without registration (Section 63 FSS Act), up to ₹10 lakh and 7 years imprisonment for selling unsafe or adulterated food without licence (Section 59), and even life imprisonment in cases where adulterated food causes death (Section 59(iv)). Beyond penalties, FSSAI enforcement officers can seize entire food stock, seal the premises, and issue stop-business orders — all without prior notice.

Once your FSSAI licence is issued, the compliance obligations do not end — they begin. Every licenced food business (State and Central licence holders) must file an Annual Return in Form D1 on the FoSCos portal by 31 Mayeach year, covering food production quantity, value, import, and export details for the previous financial year. Failure to file the annual return attracts a penalty of ₹100 per day. Petty food manufacturers (Basic Registration holders) are not required to file Form D1, but must comply with all labelling and hygiene standards.

The FSSAI labelling requirements under the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020 are comprehensive and strictly enforced: every packaged food product must display the FSSAI licence number, product name, ingredients list, allergen declaration, net quantity, manufacturing date and best before date, batch/lot number, manufacturer's name and address, nutritional information per 100g/ml, and country of origin (for imported products). Non-compliant labelling can result in product seizure, recall notices, and penalty notices — even if the food itself is safe. Taxvio advises clients on FSSAI labelling compliance as part of the post-registration support.

FSSAI's enforcement arm — the State Food Safety Officers (SFSO) and Designated Officers (DO) — conduct periodic inspections of food premises, vehicles, and storage facilities. During inspection, the officer checks: validity of FSSAI licence, cleanliness and hygiene of the premises, product labelling compliance, food safety management records, pest control records, temperature records (for cold chain), and water quality test reports. A valid, prominently displayed FSSAI licence and a clean compliance record are the two most important safeguards during an FSSAI inspection.