What is Eligibility for FSSAI Licensing ?
FSSAI stands for the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, it is a statutory body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, responsible for the regulation and supervision of food safety to guarantee safe and healthy food for consumers.
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Clients include Bidada Foods, Silvertip Foods, Good Food Innovations, Minimal Food, Alluring India Foods and Beverages, Auroras TEA Company, Ania Consumer Products, Ginger Foods Company, Magnalis Foods, ND Spices, Antara Assisted Care Services, Aggriveda Pharmaceutical (12 of 350+ served since 2018).
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- Food and consumer goods
- Bidada Foods · Silvertip Foods · Good Food Innovations · Minimal Food · Alluring India Foods and Beverages · Auroras TEA Company · Ania Consumer Products · Ginger Foods Company · Magnalis Foods · ND Spices
- Pharma and healthcare
- Antara Assisted Care Services · Aggriveda Pharmaceutical
- Logistics and trade
- Solankili Logistics Management · 23North Logistics Solutions
- Non-profits and education
- All India Hindu Mahajot Foundation · Manovikas Charitable Society
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- Cure and Care Wellness · Seven Turns · Akshamaala Solutions · Krisba Healthcare · Matha Exports International · Indo Gulf Company · Crescent Biologicals · Cura Consumer Health · Biolush · Cura Consumer · Ethics Prosperity · Rocking Deals · Subohi Agriparks · Aurous International Merchants · Anagh Traders · Shin Traders · Zexcorp Services · Aprodite Infotech · Grandmaz Organics · Instruments and Chemicals · Aaravbabbar Enterprises · DUA OLD Age Caring Institution · Goenka Scrapco · Prime Health
What is FSSAI?
FSSAI stands for the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, it is a statutory body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, responsible for the regulation and supervision of food safety to guarantee safe and healthy food for consumers. Any person or entity involved in the manufacture, processing, storage, distribution or sale of foodstuffs in India, is required to secure a FSSAI Registration or Licensing, depending on the scale or type of its business. FSSAI licensing helps build trust with consumers and maintain food quality and safety standards across the country.
Why FSSAI Licensing is Important
FSSAI licensing is vital for any food business to guarantee the safety, quality and hygiene of food products being generated or sold. It forms trust with consumers and helps businesses function legally within India’s food safety framework.
- Legal Requirement: FSSAI registration is compulsory under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 for all food-related businesses in India.
- Consumer Trust: A valid FSSAI license ensures customers that the food is safe, hygienic, and fulfills quality standards.
- Brand Credibility: Licensed businesses gain more credibility and market recognition, helping build a solid brand image.
- Business Expansion: With FSSAI approval, it's easier to enlarge operations and enter new markets, comprising exports.
- Regulatory Protection: An FSSAI license safeguards businesses from legal penalties and helps in resolving food-related disputes efficiently.
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ELIGIBILITY AND LICENSING UNDER FSSAI
Eligibility Criteria for Central FSSAI License:
Since 1 April 2026, FSSAI decides the category mainly by annual turnover (FSSAI Order dated 13 March 2026):
| Type | Annual turnover (from 1 April 2026) | Application |
|---|---|---|
| FSSAI Registration (Basic) | Up to ₹1.5 crore | Form A on FoSCoS |
| FSSAI State Licence | Above ₹1.5 crore and up to ₹50 crore | Form B on FoSCoS |
| FSSAI Central Licence | Above ₹50 crore | Form B on FoSCoS |
Source: FSSAI Order dated 13 March 2026. These limits replace the earlier ₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore limits. Some kinds of business are licensed by the Central authority whatever their turnover, for example importers, exporters, e-commerce food businesses and the head office of a business operating in more than one State; FoSCoS assigns the category when you choose your kind of business.
A food business needs a Central FSSAI Licence if:
- its annual turnover is above ₹50 crore (this replaces the earlier ₹20 crore limit); or
- it is an importer of food (the application needs the Importer-Exporter Code), an exporter, or an e-commerce food business, whatever its turnover; or
- it is the head office or registered office of a food business operating in more than one State (each unit also needs its own licence or registration, as that unit qualifies); or
- it operates on Central Government agency premises, or at an airport or seaport.
Source: FSSAI Order dated 13 March 2026, in force 1 April 2026.
Food businesses on railway premises are handled by the Central authority too (a Central licence or a Central registration, depending on turnover). The earlier criteria based on production or storage capacity (for example 2 MT a day, 50,000 litres of milk a day or 50,000 MT of storage), five-star hotels and the number of vehicles no longer decide new applications. FoSCoS's eligibility page still shows that older table, so the category FoSCoS assigns when you choose your kind of business is the one that counts. Central licences are granted by FSSAI's Central Licensing Authority (its regional offices).
Documents Required for Obtaining Central FSSAI License:
The documents to be submitted with the FSSAI for obtaining Central FSSAI License are as under:
- Form- B is complete in all respect and signed by the Proprietor/Partner/ Authorized Signatory.
- Layout plan of the processing unit displaying the dimensions and operation-wise area allocation (Mandatory for manufacturing and processing units only).
- List of Directors / Proprietor / Executive Members of Society / Trust/ Partner with full address and contact details (Mandatory for Companies only).
- List of equipment and machinery along with the number, installed capacity and horsepower used (Mandatory for manufacturing and processing units only).
- Identity and address proof issued by the Government for Proprietor / Partner / Director(s) / Authorized Signatory (Optional).
- List of desired food categories to be manufactured. (For manufacturers only).
- Authority letter with name & address of responsible person nominated by the manufacturer along with alternative responsible person indicating the powers vested with them viz assisting the officers in inspection, collection of samples, packing and dispatch. (For manufacturers and processors).
- Survey report (Bacterial & Chemical) of water to be used as an ingredient in food from a recognized / public health laboratory to confirm the portability. (Mandatory for manufacturing and processing units).
- Proof of possession of premises (Sale deed / Rental Agreement / Electricity Bill) (Optional).
- Declaration of Proprietorship or MOA & AOA or Partnership Deed with Certificate of Incorporation and List of Directors with the address. In case of the Company, mentioned pages must be uploaded: Certificate of Incorporation, Authorization of food business activity and List of Directors with addresses.
- Certificate (Copy) obtained under Coop Act – 1861 / Multi-State Coop Act – 2002 in case of Cooperatives. (If applicable).
- Copy of License and NOC from the manufacturer (Mandatory for Re-labellers and Re-packers).
- Food Safety Board System Plan or Certificate (if any).
- Source or procurement plan for milk including location of milk collection centres in case of milk and milk products processing units. (if applicable).
- Cause of raw material for meat and meat processing plants. (if applicable).
- Pesticide remaining report of water in case of units manufacturing packaged drinking water, packaged mineral water and/or carbonated water from a recognized / public health laboratory.
- Recall plan wherever applicable, with details on whom the product is distributed (optional).
- NOC from Municipality or Local Body (optional).
- Ministry of Commerce Certificate for 100% EOU.
- Supporting documentary proof of turnover.
- NOC/PA documents issued by FSSAI.
- IE Code document issued by DGFT.
- FSSAI Form IX : Nomination of Persons by a Company along with the Board Resolution.
- Certificate provided by Ministry of Tourism (HRACC). (Mandatory for Hotels).
- Proof of turnover document or self-declaration of a number of vehicles (Mandatory for Transporters).
- FSSAI Declaration Form
Eligibility for State FSSAI License:
From 1 April 2026 a food business needs a State FSSAI License when its annual turnover is above ₹1.5 crore and up to ₹50 crore, unless its kind of business is licensed by the Central authority whatever its turnover (see above). Below ₹1.5 crore, FSSAI Registration is enough. The earlier ₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore limits and the capacity-based criteria no longer decide new applications. The State Licence is granted by the State Food Safety Department. (Source: FSSAI Order dated 13 March 2026, in force 1 April 2026)
Existing licence holders will be given time to migrate to the new categories on FoSCoS. Migration is done on your self-declaration, needs no approval and no fee, and the licence number does not change (FSSAI FAQs, 27 March 2026).
Documents required for FSSAI State License.
- Form- B is completed and signed by the Proprietor or Partner or Authorized Signatory.
- Layout plan of the processing unit showing the dimensions and operation-wise area allocation (Mandatory for manufacturing and processing units only).
- List of Directors (in the company) / Proprietor (sole proprietor)/ Partner (firm)/ Executive Members of Society / Trust with full address and contact details (Mandatory for Companies only).
- List of equipment and machinery along with the number, installed capacity and horsepower used (Mandatory for manufacturing and processing units only).
- Identity and address proof issued by the Government for Proprietor / Partner / Director(s) / Authorized Signatory (Optional).
- List of food categories desired to be manufactured. (For manufacturers only).
- Authority letter with name and address of responsible person nominated by the manufacturer along with alternative responsible person indicating the powers vested with them viz assisting the officers in inspection, collection of samples, packing and dispatch. (For manufacturers and processors).
- Investigation report (Chemical & Bacteriological) of water to be used as an ingredient in food from a recognized / public health laboratory to confirm the portability. (Mandatory for manufacturing and processing units).
- Proof of possession of premises (Sale deed / Rental Agreement / Electricity Bill) (Optional).
- Deed of Partnership or Declaration for Proprietorship or MOA & AOA along with Certificate of Incorporation and List of Directors with the address. In case of the Company, mentioned pages must be uploaded: Certificate of Incorporation, Authorization of food business activity and List of Directors with addresses).
- Certificate (copy) obtained under Coop Act – 1861 / Multi-State Coop Act – 2002 in case of Cooperatives. (If applicable).
- Copy of License and NOC from the manufacturer (Mandatory for Re-labellers and Re-packers).
- Food Safety Board System Plan or Certificate (if any).
- Source/procurement plan for milk including location of milk collection centres in case of milk and milk products processing units. (if applicable).
- Pesticide waste report of water in case of units manufacturing packaged drinking water, packaged mineral water and/or carbonated water from a recognized / public health laboratory.
- Recall plan if applicable, with details of where the product is distributed (optional).
- NOC from Municipality or Local Body (optional).
- Supporting documentary proof of turnover.
- NOC/PA documents issued by FSSAI.
- FSSAI Form IX: Nomination of Persons by a Company along with the Board Resolution
Conclusion
FSSAI license is essential and compulsory for all food business operators (FBOs) in India to ensure food safety and public health standards. Whether it is a small unit or a large one, all businesses will have to adhere to the eligibility criteria for state or central FSSAI licensing based on the scale of their operations and annual turnover. Documentation and application processes may differ, but timely registration demonstrates the business’s commitment to hygiene, quality, and legal compliance. FSSAI registration not only increases trust among consumers, but also builds brand reputation of the business in the competitive food industry.
About the Author
Shamshad Alam
Head - Digital MarketingExperienced Digital Marketer with a demonstrated history of working in the Internet industry. He likes to write about the latest technology trends, Skilled in Digital Marketing likes. Search Engine Optimization, SMO, SEM, PPC, Content Writing, and, Designing, etc.
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