FSSAI Registration Guide

Whether you run a home kitchen, a cloud kitchen or a food factory, the law wants you to have an FSSAI authorisation before you sell. Here is the process, start to finish.

Quick answer

The FSSAI registration process runs on the FoSCoS portal: pick the right tier (Basic Registration, State Licence or Central Licence), submit the application with your documents and the per-year government fee, respond to any query or inspection, and receive your 14-digit FSSAI number. Basic Registration is often issued in days; licences take longer.

Step 1 — Identify your tier

• Basic Registration: smallest FBOs below the turnover limit (home sellers, small stalls, small retailers)
• State Licence: mid-sized manufacturers, restaurants, caterers, distributors
• Central Licence: large operators, and importers/exporters of food regardless of turnover

Getting the tier right is the single most important step.

Step 2 — Gather documents

For Basic Registration: photo ID of the operator, a passport photo, premises/address proof, and a rent agreement or NOC if rented. Licences need more — Form B, a premises layout, a food-safety management plan, a machinery list, and category-specific items like a water test report or NOCs.

Step 3 — File on FoSCoS

The application, documents and government fee (for your chosen 1-5 year period) are submitted on the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal. You also pick your food product categories.

Step 4 — Review, query, inspection

The food authority reviews. Basic Registration usually has no inspection; State and Central licences often involve a physical inspection of the premises. We respond to any clarification.

Step 5 — Get your FSSAI number

On approval, your 14-digit FSSAI number and certificate are issued. By law it must be displayed at your premises and printed on packaging and bills.

Timeline

Basic Registration is commonly issued within about a week to a month; licences can take longer, especially with inspection. Timelines rest with the authority — no one can guarantee an exact date.

After registration

• Display and print your FSSAI number
• Renew before expiry (the authorisation is for 1-5 years)
• File the annual return (Form D1) if you are a manufacturer/importer
• Upgrade if you cross your tier's limit

Common mistakes

• Applying for Basic when a licence is required (or vice versa)
• Wrong food-category selection
• Weak premises/address proof
• Operating on a lapsed FSSAI

Get the tier and documents right, and your food business is compliant and ready to sell — including on online marketplaces.