INTRODUCTION

The Indian food sector has experienced remarkable expansion over recent years. From local hawkers and virtual kitchens to international franchises and fast-moving consumer goods leaders, every culinary enterprise in the country now falls under the jurisdiction of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). As of 2025, securing an FSSAI licence registration is a compulsory legal requirement for anyone launching a food business in India.

This blog is designed to provide a comprehensive guide to FSSAI registration in India. We will explain the categories of businesses that require it, the various license classifications, the procedural steps for application, the revised registration fees for 2025, the documentation needed, and a series of frequently asked questions covering online application, FoSCoS registration, and related topics.

WHAT IS FSSAI?

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is an autonomous agency established under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. It is tasked with the regulation and supervision of the entire food supply chain within the country, spanning the manufacturing, processing, handling, distribution, sale, and import of food products, in order to ensure compliance with established safety and quality standards.

FSSAI assigns a unique, 14-digit license number to each registered food business operator, a number that must be prominently printed on food packaging and clearly displayed at the business premises.

Every entity engaged in any aspect of the food business in India is legally required to secure either registration or a license from FSSAI, including but not limited to:

Food manufacturers
Food packaging companies
Restaurants and cafés
Canteens (for schools, colleges, offices, etc.)
Cloud kitchens and home kitchens
Food storage and logistics firms
Online food delivery partners (e.g., registered vendors on platforms like Zomato and Swiggy)
Retailers and wholesalers
Food importers and exporters

If your activities involve any handling, preparation, or sale of food products, compliance with FSSAI registration procedures is mandatory.

TYPES OF FSSAI LICENSE/ REGISTRATION

Depending on business size, annual turnover, and operational spread, three FSSAI registration categories are available:

1. Basic FSSAI Registration (Form A)

Target Group: Small enterprises with turnover not exceeding ₹12 lakhs per annum
Typical Applicants: Tiny manufacturers, street vendors, simple food kiosks, home-based kitchens
Issuing Authority: Respective State FSSAI offices
Duration of Validity: 1 to 5 years

2. State FSSAI License (Form B)

Target Group: Medium-sized enterprises with turnover between ₹12 lakhs and ₹20 crores per annum
Typical Applicants: Mid-sized manufacturers, food transporters, warehousing units, chain restaurants
Issuing Authority: Respective State FSSAI offices
Duration of Validity: 1 to 5 years

3. Central FSSAI License (Form B)

Target Group: Large enterprises exceeding ₹20 crores turnover or operating across multiple states
Typical Applicants: Major manufacturers, importers/exporters, E-Commerce, operators in airports and seaports
Issuing Authority: Central Government FSSAI unit
Duration of Validity: 1 to 5 years

FSSAI REGISTRATION PROCESS IN 2025 (VIA FOSCOS PORTAL)

Since 2021, FSSAI registration is conducted exclusively through the FoSCoS (Food Safety Compliance System) online portal, streamlining application, fee payment, and document verification.

Here is the streamlined process for securing FSSAI registration online for the year 2025:

Step 1: Identify the Appropriate License

Evaluate your annual turnover along with the specific nature of your food business and select one of the following:

Basic Registration
State License
Central License

Step 2: Access the FoSCoS Portal

Navigate to: https://foscos.fssai.gov.in/
Register as a new user if you do not already possess login credentials.

Step 3: Complete the Application

Select the relevant application form (Form A for Basic Registration or Form B for State and Central Licenses) and provide

Legal name of your business and complete address
Description of business activity
Contact number and email address
Comprehensive list of food products offered

Step 4: Upload Mandatory Documents

Compile and upload the required documentation as specified in the FSSAI circular.

Step 5: Submit Payment

Convey the applicable license fee directly through the integrated online payment gateway on the portal.

Step 6: Await Inspection (if required)

A Food Safety Officer may conduct a site verification visit to your business location.

Step 7: Receive Your License

Contingent upon a favorable review, the FSSAI license will be issued within 7 to 30 working days, varying according to the category of license approved.

DOCUMENTS NEEDED TO REGISTER FOR AN FSSAI LICENSE

I. Basic Registration

Recent passport-sized photograph
Government-issued identification (Aadhaar card, PAN card, or Voter ID)
Evidence of business address (utility bill or rental agreement)

II. State License

All documents noted above
Architectural blueprint or layout of the business premises
Inventory of food-processing equipment
List of directors or partners
Categorisation of food products
No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the relevant local authority

III. Central License

All documents noted above
Import Export Code (IEC)
Ministry of Commerce certification (for 100% Export-oriented Units)
Evidence of annual turnover (Certificate from Chartered Accountant)

IMPORTANCE OF FSSAI LICENSE IN 2025

Legal Compliance: Operating without one can incur fines of up to ₹500,000 and imprisonment of up to six months.
Consumer Confidence: Display of the FSSAI logo fosters credibility and reassures customers.
Market Entry: E-commerce sites, retailers, and distributors all mandate it.
Growth Facilitation: Essential for both the export/import trade and for operations spanning multiple Indian states.

Food safety regulations mandate strict adherence to hygiene and safety standards in every food enterprise.

RENEWAL AND MODIFICATION OF THE FSSAI LICENSE

Renewal

Submit your renewal application at least thirty days prior to the license expiration date. Late submissions incur a penalty of ₹100 for each additional day. The renewal must also be processed through the FoSCoS platform.

Modification

Updates to business name, registered address, list of products, or change of ownership must be recorded without delay. Complete the change using the Modification Application feature available on the FoSCoS portal.

PENALTIES FOR NON-COMPLIANCE

Offence	Penalty
Operating without a FSSAI license	₹5 lakhs and/or imprisonment
Issuing misleading advertisements	₹10 lakhs
Distributing sub-standard food	₹5 lakhs
Maintaining unhygienic processing conditions	₹1 lakh

HOW LAWFINITY SIMPLIFIES YOUR FSSAI LICENSE REGISTRATION IN INDIA

At Lawfinity India Private Limited, we deliver seamless, full-circle FSSAI registration solutions designed for:

Startups operating home kitchens
Manufacturers, processors, and exporters
Cloud kitchens and digital-first sellers
Restaurants, hotels, and catering companies

Our FSSAI Services Cover:

Determination of the correct license category
Collection and meticulous document preparation
Submission of applications through the FoSCoS portal
Prompt liaison with FSSAI inspectors
Guidance on renewal and amendment filings

Why Lawfinity?

Swift, reliable delivery
Clear, flat-fee pricing
Specialized legal and regulatory advisors
Completely paperless process

MUSINGS FROM THE AUTHOR’S INK

Whether you are setting up a small street food stall or building a nationwide food brand, obtaining your FSSAI license is the very first step toward building trust and ensuring long-term success. In today’s market, food safety and compliance are no longer optional—they are essential. With stricter regulations anticipated in 2025, the role of FSSAI registration has moved beyond simply avoiding penalties. It has become a vital marker of credibility, consumer confidence, and business scalability.

An FSSAI license not only assures customers about the quality and safety of your food but also helps in expanding into new markets, forming partnerships, and even accessing financial support from banks and investors. However, for many entrepreneurs, navigating the documentation, classification, and procedural requirements can feel overwhelming. That’s where we step in—offering guidance, expertise, and end-to-end support so you can focus on growing your food business.

Start Your FSSAI Registration Now!

Email us at info@lawfinity.in or visit https://www.lawfinity.in/ to apply in minutes.

Together, we will ensure your food venture is compliant, safe, and poised for success—beginning with your FSSAI license in India.