FSSAI issues 3 types of food licenses. The first category is the FSSAI Central License, where a food business must have a turnover of over ₹20 crores. The Second one is the FSSAI Central License, where a food business should have a turnover between ₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore. The last one is FSSAI Basic Licensing, which is suitable for businesses having turnover of up to ₹12 lakh.
FSSAI License Registration
3 Lakhs+
Businesses Registered
5 Lakhs+
Happy customers
Google Reviews
4.5/5
17k+ Happy Reviews
FSSAI License category
Basic Registration
State and Central License
Decoding the State License
Decoding the Central License
Why Vakilsearch
FAQs
FSSAI License Category You Should Apply for Your Food Business
Any person who is involved in the food business in India has to mandatorily apply for an FSSAI license as per the FSSAI Regulation 2011. Depending on the type of business, the Government has several thresholds prescribed; crossing which, there is an absolute need to apply for the FSSAI License. The set thresholds are on the basis of turnover, production, installed capacity, star rating, vehicles possessed for food transport, etc. Irrespective of whether the individual is the owner of a commercial unit or a home-based food supplier, whether the mode is online or offline, the scope is very wide. It covers all food service providers which include hotels, restaurants or boarding houses, clubs serving food, canteens at commercial places and educational institutions, catering service providers, food vendors, persons dealing with organic products, etc.
Basic Registration Under FSSAI
A basic FSSAI license has to be procured by individuals operating in the food space who have an annual turnover of up to ₹12 lakhs. All businesses in the food spectrum, whether manufacturers, retailers, storage and transporters, or distributours will require this license, such as
All manufacturers of food, including petty hawkers, vendors, street stall owners
A small-scale or cottage or other industries relating to food businesses with an annual turnover of up to ₹12 lakhs and whose:
The production capacity of food (other than milk and milk products and meat and meat products) does not exceed 100 kg/litres per day or
Procurement or handling and collection of milk is up to 500 litres of milk per day or
Slaughtering capacity is 2 large animals or 10 small animals or 50 poultry birds per day or less.
State and Central License – What is the Difference?
State and central permits are the two broad categories of FSSAI licensing. These licenses are more complex, detailed and extensive than the FSSAI Registration process. While registration can be obtained easily in a week by filling particulars of Form A, the licensing process is likely to take longer after Form B has been furnished.
Decoding the State License
For those businesses that have a turnover of more than ₹ 12 lakhs but less than ₹ 20 crores, a State License is required.
While each state is empowered to fix its own fee, in Delhi, the fee for obtaining a new license is as follows:
Manufacturer/Miller
Fees (₹/Year)
About 1MT per day Production
₹5000
10,001 to 50,000 LPD of milk or 501 to 2500 MT of milk solids per annum
₹5000
Below 1MT of production
₹3000
501 to 10,000 LPD of milk or 2.5MT to 500 MT of milk solids per annum
₹3000
Hotels upto 4 Star
₹5000
All food Service providers including restaurants/boarding houses, clubs, etc. serving food, Canteens (Schools, Colleges, Office, Institutions), Caterers, Banquet halls with food catering arrangements, food vendors like dabbawallas & other food Business Operator
The trigger limits for obtaining the State license for some of the popular businesses are as follows:
Dairy Production & chilling business: Up to 500 LPD of milk or 2500 MT of milk solids per year
Slaughtering units: 2-50 Large Animals, 10-150 Small Animals, 50-1000 Poultry birds
Meat processing: Up to 500 kg a day
Vegetable oil processing: Up to 2 MT a day and over ₹12 lacs annual turnover.
Cold storage capacity: Up to 1000 MT
Wholesale turnover of up to ₹30 crores
Retailer and distributor turnover of up to ₹20 crores
Restaurant turnover of up to ₹20 crores
Three-star hotels (below five stars) having turnover more than ₹12 lakhs.
Decoding the Central License
Businesses having a turnover above ₹20 crores should apply for a Central FSSAI License. This fee is capped at ₹ 7,500 per year for both new licenses as well as renewals. The license is issued for a maximum period of five years.
The trigger limits for obtaining the central license for some of the popular businesses are as follows:
All proprietary foods
All importers
Dairy production & chilling business: More than 50,000 litres of liquid milk or 2500 MT of milk solids per year
Slaughtering units: More than 50 large Animals, More than 150 small animals, More than 1000 poultry birds
Meat processing: More than 500 kg a day
Vegetable oil processing: More than 2 MT a day and over ₹ 12 lakhs annual turnover.
Cold storage capacity: More than 1000 MT
Wholesale turnover greater than ₹30 crores
Retailer and distributor turnover of greater than ₹20 crores
Restaurant turnover of more than ₹20 crores
Five star and above hotels
Food catering in defence
Food catering in units under the Central Government agencies like air, airport etc.
To obtain a food license and kick start your food business, one must obtain a food license. One can get this without much hassles with the legal expertise at Vakilsearch.
We provide the best guidance from the beginning of the process to the end
Assists the small business to obtain the license easily
Chat assistance is provided from the best legal attorney round the clock
Affordable packages
100% online and done at your convenience
FAQ's on FSSAI License Categories
The 2 types of FSSAI licenses are State and Central FSSAI Licenses.
Food Safety and Standard Authority of India is the full form of FSSAI.
There are 16 major food categories under FSSAI
The basic FSSAI license will take only 7 days whereas the State and Central license will take over 30 days.
No! Before they can legally produce, prepare, store, distribute, or sell food, firms dealing with food in India are required to obtain some sort of registration or licence, according to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) classifies food businesses into different categories based on the type of food they handle, the size of their operation, and the level of risk they pose to public health. The following are the different categories of FSSAI licenses:
Basic Registration: This is the lowest category of FSSAI license and is required for small food businesses that handle a limited range of food items.
State License: This category of license is required for medium-sized food businesses that handle a wider range of food items.
Central License: This is the highest category of FSSAI license and is required for large food businesses that handle a variety of food items and pose a high risk to public health.
Category 16 in FSSAI is a high-risk category that includes food businesses that handle meat, poultry, and fish. These businesses are required to obtain a Central License from the FSSAI.
Category 17 in FSSAI is a high-risk category that includes food businesses that handle milk and milk products. These businesses are required to obtain a Central License from the FSSAI.
Category 13 in FSSAI is a medium-risk category that includes food businesses that handle fruits and vegetables. These businesses are required to obtain a State License from the FSSAI.
Category 99 in FSSAI is a miscellaneous category that includes food businesses that do not fall into any of the other categories. These businesses are required to obtain a Basic Registration from the FSSAI.
Confused about your next step?
Get guidance from our senior lawyers who can understand your situation and help you make an informed decision.
.png){kind=small}
