FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India)

FSSAI registration is a mandatory health and safety license issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. It ensures that food products undergo quality checks, reducing food adulteration and improving accountability. Every Food Business Operator (FBO)—from a small street vendor to a large importer—is assigned a unique 14-digit FSSAI number that must be displayed on all food packages and at the business premises.

A license or registration is mandatory before starting any food-related activity. The specific type depends on your turnover and scale:

• Basic Registration: Required for petty food businesses with an annual turnover of up to ₹12 Lakh (e.g., small tea stalls, home bakers, or hawkers).

• State License: Required for medium-sized businesses with a turnover between ₹12 Lakh and ₹20 Crore operating within a single state.

• Central License: Mandatory for large-scale businesses with a turnover above ₹20 Crore. It is also required regardless of turnover for:

  • Importers and Exporters of food products.

  • E-commerce platforms (e.g., selling food on Amazon or Swiggy).

  • Businesses operating in more than one state (Head Office license).

  • Units located in Central Government agencies like Airports, Seaports, or Railways.

• Online Listings: Required to partner with food delivery apps like Zomato or Swiggy.

Required Documents

• Photo & ID Proof: Passport-size photo and Aadhaar/PAN/Voter ID of the proprietor or authorized signatory.

• Address Proof: Rent Agreement, Electricity Bill, or Sale Deed of the business premises.

• Business Constitution: Partnership Deed, Certificate of Incorporation, or MOA/AOA.

• Food Category List: A list of all food products you intend to manufacture or handle.

• Manufacturing Details (For License only): Blueprint of the unit layout and a list of equipment/machinery.

• Water Test Report: A chemical/bacteriological analysis report of the water used in food processing (mandatory for manufacturers).

• FSMS Plan: A Food Safety Management System plan or declaration.