FSSAI Overview & License Types

The food-safety regulator

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the apex regulator established under the FSS Act, 2006. Every Food Business Operator (FBO) — from a street vendor to a large manufacturer — must obtain an FSSAI registration or licence.

Three tiers by turnover/scale

1. Basic Registration — for small FBOs with annual turnover up to ₹12 lakh (small retailers, hawkers, petty manufacturers). 2. State Licence — for medium FBOs with turnover between ₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore operating within a state. 3. Central Licence — for large FBOs above ₹20 crore, importers, exporters, and those operating in multiple states or at ports/airports.

The 14-digit number

Every FBO receives a 14-digit FSSAI number that must be displayed on premises and food packaging. It signals to consumers and authorities that the business is registered/licensed.

Why it matters

Choosing the right tier matters: operating under-licensed (e.g., a large unit on a basic registration) is a violation. The tier is driven by turnover, scale and the nature of operations — and it determines the application route and documentation.