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Anjali Verma, a 32-year-old home baker from Pune, began selling cupcakes from her kitchen during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. With an initial investment of ₹5,000 for baking tools and ingredients, her customer base quickly grew to over 150 regular clients. Within six months, she was earning nearly ₹45,000 a month.
When she attempted to list her baked goods on Swiggy and Zomato, her application was rejected due to a missing FSSAI licence. Realising the importance of food safety compliance, Anjali applied online for the Basic FSSAI Registration. She uploaded the necessary documents and paid a fee of ₹100. Within seven days, her application was approved.
Following her registration, Anjali’s FSSAI-certified brand began supplying cupcakes across Pune and nearby areas, generating monthly revenue of more than ₹1.5 lakh.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a statutory body formed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. It is responsible for regulating and supervising the safety standards of food products across India. FSSAI licences ensure that food businesses operate within the legal framework and follow hygienic practices.
In 2023, over 11.2 lakh food businesses in India received notices for not having valid FSSAI licences. According to official statistics from FSSAI, failure to comply can lead to fines of up to ₹5 lakh and even imprisonment of up to 6 months for repeat offences.
Offence | Penalty/Action |
Operating without an FSSAI Licence | Up to ₹5,00,000 fine or imprisonment |
Selling unsafe food | ₹1,00,000 to ₹10,00,000 fine |
There are three categories of FSSAI Licences based on the size and type of the food business:
Licence Type | Eligibility Criteria | Fee (per year) |
Basic Registration | Turnover below ₹12 lakh/year | ₹100 |
State Licence |
Ravi Shah owns a spice trading business in Gujarat. With a turnover of ₹26 crore per year, he mistakenly operated under a State Licence instead of a Central one. During an audit in 2022, he was fined ₹1.25 lakh for the incorrect classification. He then re-applied for the Central Licence via FoSCoS.
If you operate in any of the following sectors related to food handling, you are required to apply for an FSSAI Licence:
Zoya Foods is a Mumbai-based tiffin service started in 2021 with just 12 clients. When approached by a corporate firm to supply meals for 200 employees daily, they were asked to submit their FSSAI registration. They immediately applied for a State Licence and got approved within 20 days, enabling them to expand their reach.
You can apply online for an FSSAI licence through the official portal known as FoSCoS (Food Safety Compliance System).
Arjun Mehta, a pickle maker from Indore, submitted his online application on March 1, 2024. He uploaded all documents and paid
₹100 for Basic Registration. On March 7, he received his FSSAI certificate via email, enabling him to sell his products legally across Madhya Pradesh.
Once you determine the type of FSSAI licence applicable to your business (Basic, State, or Central), the next critical step is preparing the correct documentation. Each licence tier has different documentation needs based on the scale and type of operations.
Licence Type |
Misleading advertisement
₹10,00,000 fine |
Obstruction during inspection | ₹2,00,000 fine |
Turnover between ₹12 lakh – ₹20 crore |
₹2,000–₹5,000 |
Central Licence | Turnover above ₹20 crore or e-commerce | ₹7,500 |
*T&C Apply
Required Documents
Basic Registration | Passport-size Photo, PAN Card, Address Proof (Aadhar/Utility Bill), Business Details |
State Licence | All of the above + Layout Plan of Premises, Food Safety Management Plan (FSMP) |
Central Licence | All of the above + NOC from Municipality or Local Body, Export Licence (if applicable) |
Deepa Nair, who runs a home-based bakery called Deepa’s Cake Studio in Delhi, needed to apply for a State Licence as her turnover had crossed ₹12 lakhs. She was quoted ₹2,000 by a consultant to prepare her FSMP. However, by referring to templates available on the FSSAI portal and customising one herself, Deepa submitted a self-prepared FSMP, saving ₹1,000 and getting her application approved in just 9 days.
The time taken to process an FSSAI licence application depends on the type of licence. Authorities assess the documents, conduct inspections (if required), and then issue the licence.
In January 2024, the FSSAI received over 50,000 applications. Data showed that 92% of Basic Licences were issued within 10 days, while central licences took an average of 32 days due to inspection delays and additional document verification. Among these,
GreenSprout Organics, a mid-sized food exporter from Chennai, received its central licence in 28 days after submitting complete documentation upfront.
Once your application is submitted via the FoSCoS portal, you can track its progress in real-time.
Priya Agarwal, who runs a small tiffin service in Pune, applied for a Basic FSSAI Licence. Her ARN was 2024/FOOD/00056789. Upon checking the status online five days after submission, she noticed it read “Pending Inspection”. On the sixth day, it updated to
“Licence Issued”. She was able to download her certificate directly from the portal on the same day without visiting any government office.
Renewing your licence is essential to continue operations legally. It’s advisable to begin the renewal process at least 30 days before the expiry date.
If you fail to renew before the expiry date, a fine of ₹100 per day is levied until submission.
Ramesh Foods, a food distributor in Ahmedabad, had a State FSSAI Licence due for renewal on 1st February 2024. They missed the deadline and applied for renewal 12 days late, which resulted in a penalty of ₹1,200 (₹100 x 12 days). Though their licence was eventually renewed, it took an extra 5 days due to the penalty and documentation re-verification.
Obtaining an FSSAI licence is a vital legal step for any food business in India—it ensures food safety, builds customer trust, and supports smooth business operations across state and national levels. By following the correct procedure and submitting accurate documents via the FoSCoS portal, you can secure your licence without unnecessary delays or penalties.
1. Is an FSSAI licence mandatory for home-based food businesses?
Yes, even home kitchens selling food commercially need Basic FSSAI Registration.
2. What is the fee for a Basic FSSAI licence?
The government fee is ₹100 per year for Basic Registration.
3. Can I apply for an FSSAI licence offline?
No, all FSSAI applications must be submitted online through https://foscos.fssai.gov.in.
4. What is the penalty for running a food business without an FSSAI licence?
A penalty of up to ₹5 lakh or imprisonment may be imposed under the FSS Act.
5. How many days before expiry should I renew my FSSAI licence?
At least 30 days before the licence expiration date.
6. Can I transfer my FSSAI licence to someone else?
Yes, in case of the death of the proprietor, the licence can be transferred to a legal heir.
7. What is the difference between FSSAI Registration and Licence?
Registration is for small businesses (turnover < ₹12 lakh), while a licence is for medium and large-scale food businesses.
8. Is there a helpline for FSSAI support?
Yes, you can call the FSSAI helpdesk at 1800-112-100.
