INTRODUCTION

Food in India is not just about survival—it is a culture, a celebration, and an industry worth billion. Every time you buy a packet of biscuits, a bottle of juice, or eat out at a restaurant, you are actually relying on one crucial thing—food safety. That is where FSSAI Registration comes into play.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the regulatory body under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare that ensures the food sold or served in India is safe for human consumption. The rules are pretty clear—whether you are a small food hawker, a mid-sized bakery, or a multinational packaged food brand, you need to get either an FSSAI registration or license before running your business.

This blog dives deep into who needs FSSAI registration, why it is mandatory, what documents are required, the process, penalties, benefits, and how Lawfinity can make the entire journey simple for you.

WHY SUCH LICENCE/CERTIFICATE IS REQUIRED?

$C:\Users\lenovo\Desktop\Blog images\16-9\Blue and White Simple Business Workshop Banner (4).jpg$

Food safety is directly linked to public health, and even a minor negligence can have huge consequences. For example, improper food handling can lead to contamination, diseases, or even mass food poisoning incidents. That is why the government made FSSAI registration mandatory.

Here are the key reasons why such a certificate is required:

Consumer Safety: Ensures that food is hygienic and safe for consumption.
Standardization: Maintains uniform standards across all food products and businesses.
Accountability: Creates responsibility among food businesses for quality control.
Trust Factor: Helps customers trust your food business more easily.
Legal Requirement: As per the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, no food business can operate without FSSAI registration or license.

The latest FSSAI amendment regulations 2022 have made compliance stricter—for instance, the authority now requires online submission of applications, mandatory annual returns filing, and display of FSSAI license/registration number on all invoices and bills from January 2022.

WHO ISSUES SUCH LICENCE/CERTIFICATE?

The authority responsible for issuing the FSSAI Registration/License is:

Central Licensing Authority (CLA): For large-scale FBOs operating in more than one state or exceeding certain turnover/production capacity.
State Licensing Authority (SLA): For medium-scale businesses operating within one state.
Food Safety Officer/Designated Officer: For basic registrations of small-scale food vendors.

The issuing body depends upon the size, scale, and type of business.

ELIGIBILITY AND DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR SUCH LICENCE/CERTIFICATE

Who Needs FSSAI Registration?

This is the most crucial question for food entrepreneurs. As per FSSAI guidelines, every Food Business Operator (FBO) must register, no matter how big or small.

Here’s a breakdown:

Basic Registration: For small food businesses with annual turnover less than ₹12 lakhs (example: petty food vendors, small retailers, temporary stall holders, cottage industries).
State License: For medium-scale businesses with turnover between ₹12 lakhs to ₹20 crores (example: small manufacturers, medium restaurants, transporters, storage units).
Central License: For large businesses with turnover above ₹20 crores or operating across multiple states (example: importers, large manufacturers, major chains like Domino’s or PepsiCo).

So, to answer simply, anyone involved in food manufacturing, processing, packaging, distribution, storage, or retail needs FSSAI registration.

Documents Required

Passport size photograph of applicant
Identity proof (Aadhaar, Voter ID, PAN)
Proof of business premises (rent agreement, utility bill, NOC from owner)
Food safety management plan (FSMS)
Business constitution certificate (Partnership Deed, MoA, AoA, etc.)
List of food products to be handled/manufactured
Turnover proof (for deciding category)
Import Export Code (if importer)
Nomination of responsible person by company (Form IX for companies)

STEP-BY-STEP SUCH LICENCE/CERTIFICATE PROCESS

FSSAI registration is primarily done through the FoSCoS (Food Safety Compliance System) portal. Here’s how it goes:

Determine Category – First, assess whether you need Basic, State, or Central license based on turnover and nature of business.
Register on FoSCoS Portal – Visit https://foscos.fssai.gov.in and create an account.
Fill Application Form (Form A for Basic / Form B for State & Central) – Enter business details, product categories, and applicant information.
Upload Documents – As listed above.
Fee Payment – Fees depend on the license type (Basic ₹100 per year, State ₹2,000–₹5,000 per year, Central ₹7,500 per year).
Inspection (if required) – Designated Officer may visit premises for State/Central applications.
Approval and Certificate – Once approved, you get the 14-digit FSSAI number, which must be displayed at your business premises and printed on all packaged products.

Processing time usually ranges from 7 to 30 days depending on type and scrutiny.

PENALTY FOR OPERATING WITHOUT SUCH LICENCE/CERTIFICATE

Operating without an FSSAI registration is a punishable offense under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Operating without registration/license: Penalty up to ₹5 lakh + imprisonment up to 6 months.
Selling unsafe food: Penalty up to ₹10 lakh.
Misbranding: Penalty up to ₹3 lakh.
Unhygienic manufacturing: Penalty up to ₹1 lakh.

Recently, FSSAI has also directed e-commerce platforms like Zomato, Swiggy, Amazon, and Flipkart to delist food businesses not holding valid FSSAI registration. This means without a license, you can’t even sell on delivery apps anymore.

FSSAI REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS FOR FOOD BUSINESS

Here are the specific requirements based on type:

Retailers & hawkers: Basic registration
Cloud kitchens & online sellers: At least State license
Importers & exporters: Central license
Hotels & restaurants: State or Central depending on turnover
Storage & transporters: License based on vehicle capacity/storage limit

FSSAI REGISTRATION BENEFITS FOR FOOD BUSINESSES

Getting an FSSAI license is not just about compliance; it also has direct benefits:

Builds consumer trust – customers are more likely to trust FSSAI-certified outlets.
Business expansion – helps in getting loans and expanding operations.
Legal protection – saves from penalties and legal hassles.
Brand reputation – enhances credibility in the market.
Market access – necessary for tie-ups with aggregators, exports, and supply chains.

HOW LAWFINITY SIMPLIFIES SUCH LICENCE/CERTIFICATE PROCEDURE?

At Lawfinity, we understand that the FSSAI process can feel complex—different forms, multiple documents, varying authorities. That’s why our experts step in to handle everything end-to-end.

Here’s how Lawfinity helps:

Free consultation – Identify whether you need Basic, State, or Central license.
Document preparation – Help in arranging and verifying required documents.
Application filing – Accurate filing on FoSCoS portal to avoid rejections.
Follow-up & inspection support – Continuous tracking until approval.
Renewal reminders – Ensure license validity is maintained.

So while you focus on running your food business, Lawfinity ensures your FSSAI registration is never a hurdle.

MUSINGS FROM THE AUTHOR’S INK

Food is not just about business—it is about health, culture, and trust. As a consumer, when I see that 14-digit FSSAI number on my food, I feel a bit safer. As a business, it is your responsibility to not just chase profits but also safeguard lives. Yes, paperwork can be boring, but in the long run, compliance builds reputation.

If you are still wondering whether you really need FSSAI registration, remember this—it’s not just mandatory by law, it’s mandatory for trust.