• PAN of business / individual — Mandatory for all categories
• Aadhaar of authorised signatory — Identity proof
• Proof of business address — Property tax receipt OR rent agreement OR electricity bill
• Form A (Basic) / Form B (State + Central) signed — Application form; download from foscos.fssai.gov.in
• Authority letter from authorised signatory — For partnership / company
• Photograph (passport size) — Recent, white background
• Layout plan of premises — For State + Central — showing equipment placement, hygiene zones
• List of products to be manufactured / sold — For State + Central
• Water test report (BIS lab certified) — For Central licence — manufacturing units
• Source of raw material — For State + Central
• NOC from local body / municipal corp — For premises usage
• Form IX (nomination of person) — For State + Central — nominate Food Safety Supervisor

• Partnership deed / MoA-AoA — For respective entity types
• Import/Export Code (IEC) — For exporters/importers
• Certificate of incorporation — For companies
• Recall plan — For Central licence (mandatory)
• NOC from Pollution Control Board — For manufacturing units

• Basic Registration: turnover ≤ Rs. 12 lakh, Rs. 100 fee, 7 days, no inspection.
• State Licence: turnover Rs. 12 lakh - 20 cr, Rs. 2,000-7,500 fee, 30-60 days, inspection mandatory.
• Central Licence: > Rs. 20 cr OR multi-state OR e-commerce, Rs. 7,500 fee, 60-90 days.
• Validity: 1-5 years (you choose at application; longer = higher fee).
• Display FSSAI number on packaging mandatorily under FSS Regulations 2011.
• Annual returns (Form D-1 + D-2) by 31 May — even nil returns. Penalty Rs. 100/day late.
• FBO (Food Business Operator) Helpline: 1800-112-100.

Online at foscos.fssai.gov.in → Apply for Licence/Registration.

→ Official source: https://www.fssai.gov.in/cms/license-registration.php

If FSSAI application is delayed beyond 60 days, file RTI to FSSAI Designated Officer for inspection status + sample test results + reason for hold.

→ Use our 🪄 AI RTI Drafter to generate a free §6(1) application asking for the rejection reason in 60 seconds.

• Q: Do all food businesses need FSSAI? — Yes if dealing with food in any way. Even home-based catering above Rs. 12 lakh turnover.
• Q: Basic / State / Central — which? — Based on turnover: Basic ≤ Rs. 12 L, State Rs. 12 L - 20 cr, Central > Rs. 20 cr OR multi-state OR e-commerce.
• Q: Renewal — when? — Apply 30-60 days before expiry. Late renewal NOT allowed; fresh application required.
• Q: Penalties for non-compliance? — Rs. 5,000-Rs. 5 lakh under FSS Act §57-59 + criminal prosecution.
• Q: Can I sell food online without FSSAI? — No — Swiggy/Zomato/Amazon mandatorily require FSSAI. Direct e-commerce too.

1. Gather mandatory documents above before applying — saves a re-visit
2. Apply via official portal (link above) — no agent needed
3. Track status: see our status-check guides
4. If rejected for “documents inadequate”: request specific deficiency under §4(1)(d) RTI Act
5. For state-specific guidance: see state portals directory

• 🪄 AI RTI Drafter — type problem, get §6 application
• 🎤 AwaazRTI — voice-to-RTI in 11 Indian languages
• 🔮 Outcome Predictor — score draft win-likelihood
• ⚖️ First Appeal Generator — §19(1) draft on Day 31
• 📅 Timeline Calculator — track 30-day window

• Track status: How to check fssai licence status
• If rejected, file RTI: Full RTI guide
• Citizen RTI playbook: All 100+ scenarios
• All documents checklists: All 30 checklists

• Statutory references: as cited in Specifications above
• Official portal: linked in “Where to apply” above
• RTI Act 2005 §§4, 6, 7, 19

Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.