FSSAI stand for the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and is the most prominent authority that is responsible for food safety and other food norms. FSSAI was founded as a result of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which comes under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. The law oversees the production, sale, distribution, and import of food safety, thereby safeguarding public health. FSSAI registration guarantees that all food businesses adhere to the hygiene and safety food standards in order to supply healthy food products.
Food business operators are supposed to register on the FoSCoS portal, which stands for Food Safety Compliance System, thus getting a 14-digit FSSAI license. FSSAI Registration requires the food operator not only to clean the food production facility, but also to provide them with legal authority to manufacture and sell food products. To legally import or export food items in Delhi, businesses are generally required to meet the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India's rules and regulations.
The 14-digit FSSAI logo mark on the packed food items acts as a trust mark for the consumers, indicating that it meets all safety and quality parameters. FSSAI is generally categorized into three registrations: Basic FSSAI registration/ FSSAI State License/ and Central License, depending on the turnover of FBOs and business size.
In Delhi, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issues licenses to food businesses based on their scale of operation and nature. Here are the primary types of FSSAI licenses.
Who Needs It: Small food businesses with an annual turnover of less than ₹12 lakh.
Purpose: Basic registration to ensure compliance with food safety standards.
Who Needs It: Food businesses with an annual turnover between ₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore.
Authority: Issued by the state government.
Who Needs It: Food businesses with an annual turnover exceeding ₹20 crore or those operating across multiple states.
Authority: Issued by the Central Government.
FSSAI licenses ensure food businesses comply with established food safety standards, ensuring the quality and safety of food products available in the market.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has made changes to the annual turnover threshold for food business registration and licenses. The new updates for the annual turnover threshold are effective on April 1, 2026, the biggest relief for small and medium food businesses. The FSSAI food license annual threshold limit is as follows:
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FSSAI registration online offers numerous advantages for food businesses.
Here’s how it can benefit you:
Obtaining an FSSAI license ensures your business adheres to government regulations for food safety. This helps avoid penalties or legal issues.
Displaying an FSSAI license boosts customer confidence in the safety and quality of your food products. It enhances trust in your brand.
Many retailers and marketplaces require a valid FSSAI license to stock or sell your products. With this license, you can access a broader customer base and distribution channels.
An FSSAI license showcases your commitment to food safety, portraying your business as professional, reliable, and responsible.
Complying with food safety standards makes it easier to scale operations, introduce new products, or expand into new markets.
Registered businesses can benefit from government initiatives, training programs, and support for maintaining food safety standards.
FOSCOS FSSAI Registration is not just a legal requirement; it’s an investment in your business’s credibility, growth, and customer satisfaction.
To get the FSSAI license/ registration ( based on your business scale), required to register on the FoSCoS (Food Safety and Compliance System). FoSCoS is a central portal where FSSAI registration, annual compliance, and all other formalities are performed. The food license registration process is straightforward and complete documents based. Follow this step-by-step FSSAI registration on the FoSCoS portal to get a 14-digit number for your food business:
Before starting the FSSAI food registration process in Delhi, the FBOs are first required to select the right license based on their business scale and turnover limit. Your annual turnover limit and business size determine which registration/ license you are required to have:
Prepare all required documents, depending on the specific license category. The major documents include, which you are required to attach with the application form, identity and address proof, business address proof, business registration certificate, list of food products, business address proof, etc. Must ensure that all documents are accurate and meet the specific guidelines.
Visit the official FoSCoS FSSAI portal and create an account on it if you are a new user. Enter your email address and password to create your credentials.
Log in to the account and click on the “Apply for New License/ Registration”. Further, select the state where you operate the food business and choose your Kind of Business (KoB). Further, fill out the application form. For basic registration, file Form A; meanwhile, for state/ central, file Form B.
Upload all drafted documents in the defined structure. Must ensure all file formats do not exceed 2MB per document and keep them under the prescribed structure. Pay the government registration fees by using any payment gateway (UPI, Debit card/ credit, or any prescribed on the portal).
Submit the application with documents. Upon successful submission, the portal generates a 17- digit reference number, which you can use to track your application status to ensure whether it is pending or in process.
The application is scrutinized by the FSSAI officers to verify the accuracy of the details. If you apply for the basic FSSAI registration, the application will be approved and issued within 7-10 days. But if you apply for state/ central FSSAI license, the process normally takes more time due to strict verification and on-site inspection by a food inspector. For state/ central license, the process takes 30-60 days.
Did You Know: The new FSSAI updates 2026 under “Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Amendment Regulations, 2026”, the FSSAI license/ registration holds the perpetual/ lifetime validity, discontinuing the 1-5 validity.
Certain categories of FBOs are required to obtain a license regardless of annual turnover. These are a few categorized business who are required to obtain the mandatory FSSAI food license:
Here's who needs it:
Individuals or companies that produce food items, including snacks, beverages, and packaged foods.
Businesses that process raw food materials into finished products.
Warehouses or cold storage units that store food products before distribution or sale.
Entities that sell food items in bulk to retailers.
Shops, supermarkets, restaurants, or any establishment selling food directly to consumers.
Companies or individuals responsible for moving food items from one location to another.
The food businesses who operating as exporters or importers are required to apply for the license regardless of annual turnover. They must hold a valid IEC (Import Export Code) while applying for the FSSAI certificate.
All individuals or businesses that operate via online platforms like Zomato, Swiggy, or other food-selling platforms are required to obtain the FSSAI certificate.
All businesses who operates as services or as goods for food who mainly involved in export. They are legally required to obtain a license whether they cross the annual turnover threshold or not.
When applying for an FSSAI license in Delhi, Food Business Operators (FBOs) must pay a government fee based on the type of FOSCOS FSSAI registration required. Here's a breakdown of the fee structure:
✅ FSSAI Basic License: ₹100 annually.
✅ FSSAI State License: ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 annually, depending on the scale and type of business operations.
✅ FSSAI Central License: ₹7,500 annually, plus 18% GST.
These fees are payable during the submission of the FSSAI registration form. The exact cost depends on the size and nature of the food business.
As per the “Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Amendment Regulations, 2026”, the food authority has made changes to the FSSAI license/ registration’s validity. Usually, the FBOs select the license validity between 1 and 5 years during the registration procedure. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India changed the historical 1-5-year validity to perpetual/lifetime validity. The FSSAI food license, issued on or before April 1, 2026, has perpetual validity. It means they do not need to apply for renewal; they will continue until suspended, revoked, or voluntarily cancelled. But the license issued before April 1, 2026, will continue under the old validity system.
Non-compliance with FSSAI regulations can result in severe penalties, including hefty fines and imprisonment.
Here's a breakdown of the potential penalties for violating food safety norms:
✅ Operating Without FSSAI License/Registration: Fines ranging from ₹25,000 to ₹5,00,000, depending on the severity of the violation.
✅ Substandard or Unsafe Food: Penalties up to ₹5,00,000 and imprisonment for up to 6 months.
✅ Misleading Advertising or Labelling: Fines between ₹10,000 and ₹3,00,000.
✅ Non-Compliance with Food Safety Standards: Penalties up to ₹2,00,000 and imprisonment for up to 6 months.
✅ Adulteration of Food: Fines up to ₹10,00,000 and imprisonment for up to 7 years.
✅ Non-Compliance with Food Recall Procedures: Fines up to ₹10,00,000.
✅ Failure to Maintain Hygiene and Sanitation Standards: Penalties ranging from ₹1,00,000 to ₹10,00,000.
✅ Failure to Maintain Records and Documentation: Fines between ₹2,00,000 and ₹10,00,000.
✅ Non-Compliance with Packaging and Labelling Regulations: Fines up to ₹3,00,000.
✅ Failure to Provide Safe Drinking Water: Penalties ranging from ₹1,00,000 to ₹5,00,000.
Missed/Not Filed the Annual Return: As per the new FSSAI amendment regulations of 2026, includes about automatic suspension, the license of the FBOs will be cancelled or suspended if found guilty of not submitting the annual filing fees or failing to apply for the annual return on time.
At JustStart, we simplify the FSSAI Registration Process, helping businesses save time and effort while ensuring full compliance with food safety regulations.
Choose JustStart for efficient, professional, and seamless FSSAI Registration services.
Our professional team members verify the eligibility, whether you require the basic FSSAI registration, state or central, as per the new threshold limit. By selecting the right license, you can accurately apply online on the FoSCoS portal.
Attaching the accurate documents is crucial to avoid possible application rejection. At this stage, our dedicated and experienced team verifies the accuracy of all documents to avoid possible application rejection. Without worrying about the paperwork, you focus on business growth.
We are active with a professional team (CA, CS, and legal advisors), who are familiar with government portals and their applications. Our expert team files the Form A (for Basic FSSAI registration) and Form B (for State/ Central registration) on the single-window FoSCoS portal.
Whether your application is pending or in progress, our dedicated team checks all steps accurately so you can respond to the raised queries accurately. Not only this, but we further monitor the status of the application and confirm if the certificate is approved.
FSSAI registration is a process to apply for a food license on the FoSCoS portal. It is issued to businesses who operates, manufacture, sell, import/export, or sell food products across Delhi and India.
The FSSAI license in Delhi is required for all businesses who involved in food product manufacturing, selling, distribution, storage, import, or export. A few specific food businesses, like importers/ exporters, EOUs, and those who operate via an online platform, are required to apply for a 14-digit FSSAI number regardless of turnover.
There are three types of FSSAI licenses: Basic Registration for small food businesses, State License for medium-sized businesses, and Central License for large operations, including importers and large manufacturers.
To determine the appropriate FSSAI license for your food business, consider its size and turnover: small businesses with a turnover up to ₹12 lakhs need basic registration, medium businesses with a turnover between ₹12 lakhs and ₹2 crores require a state license, and large businesses, importers, and exporters with a turnover exceeding ₹2 crores need a central license.
To apply for FSSAI registration need a completed application form, a passport-sized photo, a government-issued ID, proof of business address, and a certificate of incorporation or partnership deed , rest documents depend upon the food products you will handle.
FSSAI registration typically takes about 7 to 30 days, depending on the type of license and the completeness of your application.
Before the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Amendment Regulations, 2026, the FSSAI license had a validity of 1- 5 years. However, after the 2026 new updates, the FSSAI license holds perpetual/lifetime validity. Licenses issued after April 1, 2026, have perpetual validity and continue until the food business is closed.
Operating a food business without having an FSSAI licence will be fined up to ₹5 lakh and imprisonment for up to six months.
Having FSSAI registration boosts your business’s credibility and shows that you follow food safety rules, which helps build trust with customers. It also makes it easier to sell your products to retailers and distributors, as many require this license.
Yes, you can operate multiple food businesses with a single FSSAI license, as long as all the businesses are run from the same premises.
Your annual turnover determines which license you are required to obtain. Basic FSSAI registration is for businesses with annual turnover up to ₹1.5 crore, whereas the state license is for businesses with annual turnover between ₹1.5 crore and ₹ 50 crore, and the central license is only applicable when the annual turnover exceeds ₹50 crore.
No, GST registration is not compulsory to get an FSSAI license. However, if your food business meets the GST threshold turnover or engages in interstate trade, you must separately obtain GST registration as per law.
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