FSSAI License Registration for Swiggy & Zomato

With India’s food delivery industry booming, platforms like Swiggy and Zomato have become essential growth channels for restaurants, cloud kitchens, and even home-based food businesses. However, before you can start taking orders, you have to do one thing to make sure you follow the rules and regulations: FSSAI Registration.

This blog gives you a detailed, easy-to-understand guide to FSSAI License Registration for Swiggy and Zomato, covering all the critical questions food business operators (FBOs) have: What is it? Why is it needed? Who wants it? And how to get it done without any hassle?

Let’s break it all down.

What is an FSSAI License?

An FSSAI License from Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is an official registration or certification that it grants. The license is granted to food-related activities, such as manufacturing, processing, storage, sale, or distribution. It also certifies that the food sold in the market conforms to the safety, hygiene, and quality standards laid down under FSSAI Act 2006.

Who Needs an FSSAI License to Sell on Swiggy & Zomato?

FSSAI registration must be obtained if your business is engaged in any portion of handling food, be it for preparing, cooking, packaging, storing, distributing, or delivering. It doesn't matter if the business is big or small, or if it is located online or offline, along with a detailed analysis of who needs the license:

Cafes and Restaurants

In the entire food service spectrum, all food establishments, from a formal restaurant for dine-in to a casual eat-out, are required to have an FSSAI license so as to be in conformity with hygiene and food safety standards.

Home-Based Chefs and Bakers

Even if it is a small home-based business where cakes are being baked or food is being cooked for online orders, one has to get a basic FSSAI registration. This helps give you credibility and lets you sell on Swiggy and Zomato.

Cloud/Kitchen

Cloud kitchens operate without an appearance in front and conduct deliveries through online platforms only. Since food preparation is for public distribution, they are obliged to have FSSAI registration irrespective of whether they operate from a rented flat or a shared kitchen. 

Food Truck or Cart

Street food and snack-serving mobile units are also required to be licensed. Such units usually change locations, but that doesn't relieve them from FSSAI regulations, unlike fixed premises.

Catering Services

Whether you are into wedding catering or office meals, or catering food for events, you take on the responsibility of food safety, and thus, an FSSAI license becomes mandatory.

Tiffin Services

Tiffin or homemade meal services that cater to working professionals or students need to get themselves registered under FSSAI. Most of these operate from homes and serve daily meals; hence, licensing from FSSAI is needed for the trust of customers and obtaining onboarding to respective platforms.

Bakery Units and Snack Manufacturers

In the event that you produce any kind of baked bakery products like bread, biscuits, or snacks from small batch production, then you fall under the food processing category; hence, you must have FSSAI compliance before getting into food delivery platforms.

No matter what kind of business you have or where you make your food, at least a basic FSSAI license is mandatory if you want to sell it through Swiggy or Zomato.

Different FSSAI Licenses: Which One Suits Your Business?

FSSAI issues three categories of licenses based on the size and nature of your business –

 

Tip: Still not sure which option is right for your business? You can get clarity and help through professional support from JustStart, which makes the entire licensing process easy for foodpreneurs like you.

Why Do Swiggy & Zomato Ask for FSSAI Licenses?

Imagine a hungry customer scrolling through Swiggy on a Friday night, craving some warm comfort food, be it butter chicken or a cheesy pizza. It looks great, that one place, so they place the order, keeping fingers crossed. Now imagine that food was prepared in an unhygienic kitchen where they use expired ingredients with zero quality checks-in! Disaster! So, that's the kind of risk that Swiggy and Zomato want to rule out by having FSSAI Registration mandatory.

These platforms cater to millions of users and thousands of food businesses daily. And with a reach that high comes great responsibility for making sure the food being delivered is safe, clean, and is being cooked as per the Indian food safety laws. Hence, Swiggy and Zomato do not entertain any food outlet, big or small, without a valid FSSAI license on their platform.

Now let us see why this license is a must:-

The Regulatory Compliance

Food delivery platforms, including restaurants they list, are bound under Indian food safety laws. The authority for setting these norms is FSSAI, which requires every food business operator to be licensed. Swiggy and Zomato promote this requirement to protect their compliance with the FSSAI Act, 2006, while thus legally protecting themselves in the eyes of the government.

Public Safety and Image

Even a single dish served from a cold kitchen can cause severe food poisoning, create negative publicity, or land the companies investing in reputation building in court. Swiggy and Zomato are seriously concerned about consumer health. It grants an FSSAI license to restaurants as a measure to enforce minimum standards of hygiene and food handling.

Trust and Reputation Management

These apps have built their goodwill upon trust. If a customer falls sick because of subpar quality food, the restaurant's reputation gets tarnished; more so, the platform's. Allowing only FSSAI-approved restaurants, hence, is something that Swiggy and Zomato do to defend their goodwill and reputation, minimising hazards, and consequently, offer a more secure users' experience.

Is FSSAI License Mandatory for Swiggy?

Yes, entirely! No compromises. It has been Swiggy's clear policy that any and every restaurant, home kitchen, or food outlet channelled onto the platform must be in possession of a proper FSSAI license or registration. They will outright refuse to even consider the onboarding of any install restaurant without this license.

During registration, the Swiggy team requires the applicant to provide the 14-digit FSSAI number, along with a copy of the certificate of the license, and then emphatically checks to ensure that the business name and address of said establishment indeed match what the license states. This is not mere formality; this is rather an ethical and legal safeguard. 

But What If I’m Just A Small Home-Based Seller?

If a person is cooking in his/her home kitchen or is a one-man tiffin service or makes cakes for a few hours, then that person is supposed to have basic registration of FSSAI before he/she can sell via Zomato or Swiggy. When it comes to safety, these platforms do not make a distinction between small-home chefs and bigger multi-chain restaurants. 

Swiggy is more than just a marketplace; it is a brand trusted by users to deliver wholesome, safe food. For this reason, if your food license is not an online one or is not valid, your restaurant is going to never go live on their app.

What Details Are Required During Swiggy/Zomato Onboarding?

On Swiggy or Zomato, the food business registration requires these to be submitted:

• FSSAI Licence Number (14 digits)
• Clear scan or PDF of your valid FSSAI certificate
• The name and validity date should be as per the FSSAI license
• Business name and address should match the record with the FSSAI.

Without these, it is impossible to complete your profile set-up on the app dashboard.

Documents Needed for FSSAI Registration

Basic FSSAI Registration (Turnover up to ₹12 Lakhs)

This license is suitable for small-scale food businesses such as home chefs, tiffin services, or small vendors operating locally:

• Owner’s Aadhaar card and PAN card – As identity and tax proof.
• Recent passport-sized photograph – For personal verification.
• Business address proof – Rent agreement, electricity bill, or a NOC from the property owner.
• Nature of food business – A short description of what you do (cooking, packaging, selling, etc.).

No inspections or additional documents are typically required for this level, making it quick and easy to obtain.

State FSSAI License (Turnover ₹12 Lakhs – ₹20 Crores)

Medium-sized restaurants, cloud kitchens, and mid-scale food units fall under this category:

• All Basic-level documents (ID proof, address proof, photo)
• Kitchen layout or premises plan – to display hygiene and space management.
• List of food products – Detailed list of items you plan to sell.
• Water Test Report – Details of the drinking water quality used on the premises.
• Central FSSAI License (Turnover above ₹20 Crores or multiple states)

This license applies to large food producers, importers, exporters, and companies with operations across India.

All State-level documents (layout plan, product list, water report, etc.)

• Import Export Code (IEC) – Required for businesses involved in importing or exporting food products.
• ● Food safety management system (FSMS) plan – A formal document showing how you safely handle your food.
• Supporting documents for turnover or multi-state operation – Such as audited balance sheets or business expansion plans.

Approval of a central licence may take longer and usually requires greater scrutiny because of the larger scale of operations.

How to Apply for FSSAI License (Without the Hassle)

It is tough for someone attempting this for the first time-FSSAI registration carries complexity. Poor application or improper documentation can lead to rejection of the application or long delays.

Why not instead register your FSSAI license with a trusted company? JustStart is your trusted partner for food entrepreneurs across India.

Validity of FSSAI License and Renewal

• An FSSAI license is valid for 1 to 5 years, depending on what period you choose to be registered for.
• The license must be renewed at least 180 days before the expiry to avoid late fees and penalties.
• Renewal can be done online on the FSSAI portal or outsourced to JustStart for a hassle-free renewal.

Penalties for Not Having an FSSAI License

If you operate your food business trying to bypass Food Licence Registration, here is what you are owing:

• Penalty up to ₹5 lakhs;
• Suspension or cancellation of your Swiggy/Zomato listing;
• Seizure of goods and closure of premises;
• Legal action taken as per the FSSAI Act.

It's always better to get licensed before going live on any food aggregator app to stay worry-free.

Benefits of Getting FSSAI License for Swiggy & Zomato

Obtaining an FSSAI license is more than just a legal necessity; it’s a sign that your food business is set for confident growth. Here are the advantages:

Mandatory for Online Food Delivery Platforms

Swiggy, Zomato, and Uber Eats do not allow any restaurant, home chef, or cloud kitchen to start without FSSAI license. This is a key compliance requirement and a mandatory field in the onboarding process. Without it, your registration can never move forward.

Customer Confidence

Consumers feel more secure when they order from licensed food brands listed on Swiggy and Zomato. The FSSAI license shows that your food follows the hygiene and safety standards set by the government. This helps build long-term trust and keeps customers coming back again and again. 

Legal Protection

The FSSAI license protects you from sudden inspections, fines, or legal actions by the authorities. You will not have to worry about shutdown notices or immediate removal from the food delivery platform, providing a certain degree of assurance to operate your business without concern. 

Easy Expansion

A valid license eases further business expansion into other cities or new outlets. Most food aggregators and investors look for FSSAI compliance before associating themselves with any food brand.

Improved Branding

Posting your FSSAI number speaks volumes about your credibility on Swiggy and Zomato. It shows that you are a serious business that cares about the quality, hygiene, and satisfaction of its customers.

Conclusion

For FSSAI registration, if you seriously want to grow your food business on Swiggy or Zomato, consider it as your first step. It means that your food is safe, your business is legit, and your customers feel assured. If you are a home cook or running a café or just trying out a rapidly growing cloud kitchen, the very first step towards success on digital food delivery is a food license that is valid for delivery purposes. 

And the best part? You won't have to do it alone. JustStart ensures that the registration process for FSSAI is simple, fast, and affordable.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Do I need an FSSAI license to list my food item on Swiggy or Zomato?

Yes, an FSSAI license is required for every food business listed on Swiggy or Zomato.

Q2. What license does one require from FSSAI for a home kitchen on Swiggy?

Home-based food sellers are generally required to have a Basic FSSAI Registration if the turnover is below ₹12 lakhs.

Q3. Can one obtain an FSSAI license online for Swiggy or for Zomato? 

Yes, the food license can be procured online through the FSSAI FoSCoS portal or through services offered by experts like JustStart.

Q4. What if I operate on Swiggy without an FSSAI license?

Penalty, delisting from Swiggy or Zomato, and maybe legal proceedings, these are those which operate their food business without an FSSAI license.

Q5. How long does the FSSAI license application take for Swiggy onboarding?

Basic FSSAI Registration takes around 3 to 7 working days, while State or Central may take longer.

Q6. Do cloud kitchens require FSSAI registration to list on Zomato?

Yes, cloud kitchens need to keep their FSSAI license valid in order to get listed on food delivery portals.

Q7. Can JustStart assist with FSSAI license registration for Swiggy?

Yes, JustStart will provide full assistance to get your FSSAI License fast without any hassle.

Q8. Do I require an FSSAI license for every outlet listed on Zomato?

Yes, each physical outlet must have a separate FSSAI license if operating from multiple outlets.

Q9. Is an FSSAI license one-time for sellers on Swiggy?

No, a license has to be renewed at its expiry to sell on Swiggy or Zomato.