FSSAI Registration is the applicable food-safety authorisation for eligible petty/small food businesses. Larger or specialised food businesses may require a State or Central Licence depending on the applicable Kind of Business and eligibility criteria.

From 1 April 2026, the general turnover thresholds are: Registration up to ₹1.5 crore; State Licence above ₹1.5 crore up to ₹50 crore; and Central Licence above ₹50 crore. Activity-specific criteria and exceptions can apply, so turnover alone should not be used to determine the licence category.

No. Under the 2026 reforms, FSSAI Registrations and Licences have perpetual validity. They remain subject to ongoing compliance and may be suspended, cancelled or surrendered in accordance with law.

No. The earlier periodic renewal requirement has been replaced by perpetual validity under the revised 2026 framework. Businesses must, however, keep their particulars updated and comply with applicable food-safety requirements.

Yes. Home-based food businesses may require FSSAI Registration or Licence depending on their activity and applicable eligibility criteria.

Not necessarily. The applicable process depends on the type of business, authorisation and risk-based requirements. Inspection or audit may be required for particular applications or businesses.

A Food Safety Management System (FSMS) is a documented food-safety and hygiene system based on applicable requirements, including Schedule 4 and relevant good manufacturing/hygiene practices. Applicable licensed businesses must comply with the prescribed FSMS and hygiene requirements.

Eligible licensed manufacturers, repackers, relabellers, importers and manufacturer-exporters are required to file the applicable annual return through FoSCoS. The ordinary due date is 31 May each year for the preceding financial year.

Importers of food are covered under the Central Licence framework irrespective of the general turnover threshold, subject to the applicable KoB criteria.

The applicable Central Licence requirement depends on the export-related Kind of Business selected under FoSCoS. Exporter-manufacturers and merchant-exporters have specific entries in the current eligibility framework and should be assessed according to their actual activity.

The checklist depends on the Kind of Business. Common documents include identity/business proof, premises proof, food-product details and, where applicable, machinery/capacity details, water analysis reports, NOCs and other technical documents.

FSSAI may take statutory enforcement action for non-compliance, including inspection, sampling, penalties, suspension or cancellation of authorisation and other measures permitted under the applicable law. The exact consequence depends on the nature of the contravention.

Yes. Changes such as business particulars, premises, products or other licence details may require modification through FoSCoS, depending on the nature of the change.

FSSAI and GST are separate regulatory regimes. GST registration is not automatically a prerequisite for FSSAI authorisation, although a business may have a separate GST obligation depending on the GST law.

Yes. Food businesses selling through online channels must comply with the applicable FSSAI registration/licensing and food-safety requirements. E-commerce itself is also a specific Kind of Business under the current FoSCoS eligibility framework.