INTRODUCTION

Dairy is not just about milk, paneer, ghee, or curd—it’s about trust on every plate. From a small milk stall in a rural town to a modern processing plant supplying urban supermarkets, every dairy business is bound by one common rule: compliance with FSSAI.

Getting a Fssai license for Dairy is not just a formality—it’s the backbone of consumer safety, market credibility, and legal survival. In recent years, regulations have become stricter, especially for high-risk products like milk powders, cheese powders, and dairy analogues. If you’re planning to step into the dairy sector or already running a business, understanding the FSSAI licensing process is no longer optional—it’s critical.

WHY SUCH LICENCE/CERTIFICATE IS REQUIRED?

Protecting Health: Dairy products spoil quickly, and without proper monitoring, they can carry harmful bacteria and adulterants. A license ensures your products are tested and safe.
Legal Requirement: The Food Safety and Standards Act makes it mandatory for all dairy businesses, whether small or large, to hold a valid registration or license.
Business Credibility: Consumers and distributors today demand to see an FSSAI number on packaged dairy. It works as a stamp of trust and quality assurance.
Updated Norms: Recent amendments have made it compulsory for high-risk dairy products like milk powder, dairy analogues, and ghee producers to hold a proper State or Central Fssai Dairy License, not just a simple registration.
Market Expansion: Exporters and interstate suppliers cannot move their products without a valid Central license. It opens new doors for scaling up your dairy business.

WHO ISSUES SUCH LICENCE/CERTIFICATE?

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the apex body that governs food business operators, including dairies. It issues:

Basic Registration – for very small dairies with turnover up to ₹12 lakh per year.
State License – for medium businesses with turnover between ₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore operating within a state.
Central License – for large dairy businesses with turnover above ₹20 crore, or those involved in import, export, interstate trade, or supplying to railways, airports, or defense establishments.

All applications are processed through the FoSCoS (Food Safety Compliance System) portal, and inspections are carried out by Food Safety Officers before issuing licenses.

FSSAI LICENSE REQUIREMENTS FOR DAIRY PRODUCT MANUFACTURER

Eligibility

Basic Fssai Dairy License: Small vendors, dairy farms, or milk collection centers with turnover below ₹12 lakh.

State Fssai License for Dairy Product Manufacturer: Mid-sized processing units or businesses with turnover between ₹12 lakh to ₹20 crore.
Central Fssai License for Dairy: Large manufacturers, exporters, or businesses handling more than ₹20 crore turnover.

Also note: if you are manufacturing high-risk dairy items like milk powders, flavored milk, or dairy analogues, you must apply for a license even if your turnover is less than ₹12 lakh.

Documents Required

Identity proof (Aadhar, PAN) of proprietor/partners/directors.
Proof of business registration (GST, MSME, partnership deed, company incorporation).
Premises proof – ownership deed or rent agreement, along with layout plan.
Detailed list of products (milk, paneer, ghee, yogurt, butter, cheese, etc.).
Food safety management plan or HACCP plan.
Water testing report for safety and potability.
NOC from local municipal authorities or pollution control board if applicable.
Passport-size photos of the applicant.
For Central license – import/export code, turnover proof, and technical staff details.

STEP-BY-STEP SUCH LICENCE/CERTIFICATE PROCESS

Identify the category – Basic, State, or Central, depending on turnover and nature of dairy operations.
Collect documents – Prepare all identity, business, premises, and food safety documents.
Apply online – Fill in details on the FoSCoS portal and upload required documents.
Fee payment – Pay the license fee according to the category of license.
Inspection – An FSO visits your dairy plant or premises to check hygiene, machinery, layout, and documentation.
Compliance report – If deficiencies are found, you are asked to correct and resubmit.
License approval – After successful verification, you receive the license digitally.
Ongoing compliance – Maintain hygienic practices, file annual returns, test products periodically, and renew your license before expiry.

PENALTY FOR OPERATING WITHOUT SUCH LICENCE/CERTIFICATE

Operating a dairy without a valid FSSAI license is a serious offense. The consequences include:

Heavy fines: Penalties may go up to ₹5 lakh depending on the violation.
Product seizure: Authorities can seal your dairy plant and destroy unsafe products.
License suspension or cancellation: If caught selling unsafe or misbranded dairy, your license can be suspended permanently.
Criminal liability: In cases of severe harm to public health, imprisonment can also be imposed.

Skipping compliance is not worth the risk—it damages both reputation and livelihood.

HOW LAWFINITY SIMPLIFIES SUCH LICENCE/CERTIFICATE PROCEDURE?

Expert Assessment

We evaluate your business type, turnover, and product line.

Identify whether you need a Basic, State, or Central license.

Prevent costly mistakes of applying under the wrong category.

Document Preparation

Draft food safety plans and SOPs tailored to your dairy business.

Compile essential proofs like layout maps, water test reports, and NOCs.

Ensure all documents are complete and formatted correctly to avoid rejection.

Smooth Filing on FoSCoS Portal

Handle the entire online filing process—form filling, uploads, and fee payment.

Provide accurate tracking and regular updates until approval.

Inspection Support

Share hygiene checklists to ensure your premises meet FSSAI standards.

Conduct mock audits so you’re well-prepared for Food Safety Officer visits.

Compliance Calendar

Monitor renewal deadlines, annual return filings, and amendments.

Ensure you never miss critical compliance dates.

Regulation Updates

Keep you informed about the latest changes, such as ghee standards or dairy analogue restrictions.

Adapt your compliance strategy in real time.

MUSINGS FROM THE AUTHOR’S INK

For many entrepreneurs, compliance often feels like a never-ending burden—a maze of paperwork, inspections, and deadlines. But in reality, it is not a hurdle; it is a safety net. Especially in the dairy sector, where one wrong step—like adulterated milk, spoiled curd, or unhygienic ghee—can put thousands of families at risk, regulations act as the invisible shield that protects both businesses and consumers.

The Fssai license for Dairy goes far beyond being a legal formality. It is a promise you make to your customers—a promise that every glass of milk they drink is pure, every cube of paneer is safe, and every spoonful of ghee is wholesome. This silent assurance builds trust, loyalty, and credibility, which no marketing campaign alone can buy.

At Lawfinity, we understand that dairy is more than a business—it is a tradition, a livelihood, and a source of nourishment for millions. That’s why we step in to make your compliance journey smooth, timely, and worry-free. While you focus on innovation, expansion, and delivering quality products, we ensure your licenses, renewals, and regulatory obligations are handled with precision.

Because in the world of dairy, safety and trust are the true currencies of growth.