List of FSSAI Food License Category

FSSAI Food License: A Must-Have for Every Food Business in India

In India, every person engaged in the food business must obtain an FSSAI food license which varies depending on the nature and the size of the business, as mandated by the FSSAI regulation 2011. The government has set forth distinct parameters for different business segments. Once these benchmarks, whether in terms of turnover, production scale, installed capacity, star rating, and the number of vehicles utilized for food transportation. Upon surpassing these predetermined thresholds, the acquisition of an FSSAI License becomes obligatory. This mandate applies universally, regardless of the business type—whether it functions from a commercial venue or is based at home, and irrespective of the operational method, whether online or offline. The ambit of this directive includes a wide range of food service entities, such as hotels, eateries, guesthouses, food-serving clubs, canteens in commercial settings and schools, catering entities, food sellers, and those involved in the organic products trade.

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FSSAI Basic Registration

Individuals engaged in the food sector with an annual turnover not exceeding ₹12 lakhs are mandated to obtain a basic FSSAI license. This requirement applies to all entities within the food industry, including manufacturers, retailers, storage and transport operators, and distributors. Specifically, the following categories are encompassed:

• All food manufacturers, which include petty hawkers, vendors, and street stalls proprietors.
• Small-scale, cottage, or other related industries in the food sector with an annual turnover of up to ₹12 lakhs, meeting the following criteria:
  • The daily production capacity of food (excluding milk and milk products, as well as meat and meat products) does not surpass 100 kg or liters.
  • The daily procurement, handling, and collection of milk are limited to 500 liters.
  • The slaughtering capacity does not exceed 2 large animals, 10 small animals, or 50 poultry birds per day.

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FSSAI State License

Businesses with an annual turnover exceeding ₹ 12 lakhs but not surpassing ₹ 20 crores are mandated to obtain a State License.

In Delhi, the prescribed fees for securing a new license are as delineated below:

• Manufacturers or Millers with a daily production of approximately 1MT: ₹5000 per annum.
• Entities producing between 10,001 to 50,000 LPD of milk or between 501 to 2500 MT of milk solids annually: ₹5000.
• Manufacturers with production below 1MT: ₹3000.
• Producers between 501 to 10,000 LPD of milk or those processing 2.5MT to 500 MT of milk solids annually: ₹3000.
• Hotels up to a 4-Star category: ₹5000.
• Food service providers, encompassing restaurants, boarding houses, clubs, canteens (including those in educational institutions and offices), caterers, banquet halls with food catering facilities, and food vendors such as dabbawalas: ₹2000.

The stipulated thresholds for businesses to necessitate the State license are as follows:

• Dairy Production & Chilling Business: Up to 500 LPD of milk or 2500 MT of milk solids annually.
• Slaughtering Units: 2-50 Large Animals, 10-150 Small Animals, or 50-1000 Poultry Birds.
• Meat Processing: Up to 500 kg daily.
• Vegetable Oil Processing: Up to 2 MT daily with an annual turnover exceeding ₹12 lakhs.
• Cold Storage Facilities: Capacity of up to 1000 MT.
• Wholesalers with a turnover of up to ₹30 crores.
• Retailers and distributors with a turnover of up to ₹20 crores.
• Restaurants with a turnover of up to ₹20 crores.
• Three-star hotels (excluding five-star establishments) with a turnover exceeding ₹12 lakhs.

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FSSAI Central License

Businesses with an annual turnover exceeding ₹20 crores are obligated to secure a Central FSSAI License. The prescribed fee for this license, applicable to both new applications and renewals, is set at ₹7,500 annually. Notably, this license is valid for a tenure of up to five years.

The criteria defining the need for a central license for various business categories are outlined as:

• Manufacturers of proprietary foods.
• Importers of food products.
• Dairy Production & Chilling Business: Production exceeding 50,000 liters of liquid milk or 2500 MT of milk solids annually.
• Slaughtering Units: Operations involving more than 50 Large Animals, over 150 Small Animals, or beyond 1000 Poultry Birds.
• Meat Processing: Production exceeding 500 kg daily.
• Vegetable Oil Processing: Operations surpassing 2 MT daily with an annual turnover of more than ₹12 lakhs.
• Cold Storage Facilities: Capacities exceeding 1000 MT.
• Wholesalers with turnovers greater than ₹30 crores.
• Retailers and Distributors with turnovers exceeding ₹20 crores.
• Restaurants with turnovers surpassing ₹20 crores.
• Hotels categorized as Five-Star and above.
• Food Catering Services for defense establishments.
• Food Catering Services for units falling under Central Government agencies, such as airfields and airports.
• Food operators conducting business across multiple states.

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