FSSAI Central License Registration Online in Delhi

What is an FBO and What are the Three Types of FSSAI License?

A Food Business Operator (FBO) is any person or entity involved in manufacturing, processing, packaging, storing, transporting, distributing, or selling food products, at any stage from production to final sale to the consumer. Every FBO in India must obtain one of the following, based on annual turnover and scale of operations:

• FSSAI Basic Registration — for small food businesses with annual turnover up to Rs. 1.5 crore.
• FSSAI State License — for medium-scale businesses operating within a single state, with annual turnover between Rs. 1.5 crore and Rs. 50 crore.
• FSSAI Central License — for large-scale, multi-state, import/export businesses, or those with annual turnover above Rs. 50 crore.

Note: These thresholds were revised by FSSAI via the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Amendment Regulations, 2026, notified on 10th March 2026 and effective from 1st April 2026 (earlier limits were Rs. 12 lakh and Rs. 20 crore respectively).

Fundamental Functions and Duties Performed by FSSAI

• Publishing guidelines and norms for food safety and hygiene.
• Launching nationwide initiatives to create food safety awareness among businesses and consumers.
• Taking appropriate legal action against food businesses involved in illicit practices such as food adulteration.
• Facilitating recommendations to the Government of India in outlining new policies.
• Issuing mandatory food licenses and registrations to food business operators.
• Rolling out guidelines and directions under the FSS Act, 2006 for entities operating in the food sector.

Businesses in Delhi That Require a Mandatory FSSAI License

All Food Business Operators (FBOs) need FSSAI registration or license, based on the nature and scale of their business. Common categories include:

• Manufacturers — food processing units, packaged food and beverage manufacturers, dairy and oil processing units
• Importers & Exporters — businesses dealing in import or export of food products
• Restaurants & Cloud Kitchens — restaurants, eating houses, online home kitchens, catering and event management businesses
• Transporters — food transport businesses, including cold-chain and large fleet operators
• Storage & Warehousing — cold storage and warehousing units for food products
• Wholesalers & Retailers — supermarkets, distributors, and retail chains dealing in food articles
• E-commerce Food Sellers — online platforms selling prepared food or packaged food products (e.g., food delivery and quick-commerce apps)
• Repackers & Relabellers — businesses repackaging or relabelling food items
• Institutional Caterers — canteens at colleges, hospitals, airports, and Indian Railways

Why Apply for the FSSAI Central License?

• Nationwide Identity: The FSSAI License builds goodwill and creates brand recognition at a global level.
• Legal Advantage: FSSAI License provides security and legal rights to all those involved in the food business. It serves as evidence that the business meets food safety standards.
• Business Expansion: With an FSSAI Central License, expanding to new locations and opening new outlets becomes easier. It also facilitates access to business loans and other funding for business development.

Eligibility for FSSAI Central License (Revised Thresholds, Effective 1st April 2026)

As per the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Amendment Regulations, 2026, an FSSAI Central License is required for food businesses with annual turnover above Rs. 50 crores, as well as the following categories regardless of turnover:

• Dairy facilities handling 50,000 litres or more of milk per day, or producing 2,500 MT or more of milk solids per annum
• Food processing units with a daily production capacity of 2 MT
• Processing units producing vegetable oil with a daily production volume of 2 MT
• Slaughter units with a daily capacity of:
  1. 1,000 poultry birds
  2. 150 small animals
  3. 50 large animals
• Meat processing units with a daily production capacity of 500 kg or annual capacity of 150 MT
• Food businesses exporting food articles abroad
• Catering service or food marketing businesses with annual turnover of more than Rs. 50 crores
• Food processing units with refrigeration or cold storage capacity of 1,000 MT or more
• Food catering services working under the government, including at seaports, airports, etc.
• Wholesalers in the food business with annual turnover of more than Rs. 50 crores
• Retailers and distributors of food articles with annual turnover of more than Rs. 50 crores
• Restaurants and eating houses with annual turnover of Rs. 50 crores or more

Additional conditions that require an FSSAI Central License:

• Businesses dealing in health supplements and nutraceuticals
• Restaurants or hotels rated 5-star or 7-star
• Transport businesses operating more than 100 vehicles

Businesses with turnover between Rs. 1.5 crore and Rs. 50 crore require a State License, while those up to Rs. 1.5 crore qualify for the simpler Basic Registration.

Documents Required for FSSAI Central License

• Form B — duly filled and signed by the applicant
• Detailed floor plan of the processing facility showing critical areas and operational layout
• Name and list of machinery currently working at the plant
• Authorisation letter (if applying on behalf of a company)
• Copy of trust deed and record of trustees (for registered trusts)
• Copy of Certificate of Incorporation, MOA, and AOA (for incorporated entities such as Pvt. Ltd., LLP, etc.)
• Complete copy of partnership deed with all partner details and authorisation letter (for partnership firms)
• Complete copy of co-operative society deed (for co-operative societies)
• Registered or notarised rent agreement with NOC and electricity bill as address proof
• Detailed Food Safety Management System (FSMS) plan and blueprint of the processing unit
• List of active raw material suppliers with NOC
• NOC from concerned local authorities related to processing
• Copy of Tourism Certificate from the Ministry of Tourism (for hotel owners)
• IEC (Import Export Code) certificate from DGFT (for businesses exporting food articles)
• Declaration in case turnover exceeds Rs. 50 crores

Depending on the nature of the business, additional category-specific documents may also be requested, such as:

• Water Analysis Report (for manufacturers)
• Form IX (nomination of a technical/competent person by the manufacturer)
• NOC for source of raw material
• Recall plan wherever applicable
• Product list with product category

Steps for Obtaining FSSAI Central License in Delhi

Step 1: Submission of Form B on FoSCoS

The applicant must submit Form B along with the required documents through the FoSCoS (Food Safety Compliance System) portal, following FSSAI guidelines. The applicable turnover criteria must be kept in mind during submission.

Step 2: Application Scrutiny by FSSAI Officials

After submission, FSSAI officials scrutinise the application in detail. If they are not satisfied with the documents, they raise an objection requiring the applicant to complete the documentation and fulfill any other formalities.

Step 3: Site Inspection by FSSAI Officials

The FSSAI central authority sends designated officials to verify the details provided by the applicant and assess the level of compliance with the FSSAI Act, 2006. Any non-conformity may increase the chances of rejection or an objection being raised.

Step 4: Approval of Application and Granting of License

Once the licensing authority is satisfied with the inspection and documents, the application is approved and the certificate is issued within a few days. The business owner can then commence operations.

Note: Displaying the certificate at the business premises is mandatory for all license holders.

Validity & Renewal of FSSAI Central License

FSSAI has moved toward treating licenses as continuing in force without a fixed expiry, subject to timely payment of the annual license fee, submission of the Food Safety Compliance Return (FSCR), and compliance during periodic inspections by FSSAI officials. However, the applicability and transition of this change can vary depending on the business category and when the license was originally issued, so it is advisable to check your specific license status on the FoSCoS portal or consult our team before assuming your license needs no renewal.

Where a license still carries a fixed validity period (1 to 5 years, as chosen at the time of application), the expiry date mentioned on the certificate applies, and renewal must be filed at least 30 days before expiry to avoid a late renewal fine. Any change in business details after the license is issued — such as address or ownership — should be updated through a license modification application rather than waiting for renewal.

Whether renewing a fixed-term license or maintaining one without a fixed expiry, the following documents are generally required:

• One passport-sized photograph
• Identity proof — PAN card, Aadhaar card, Voter ID, etc.
• Address proof — electricity bill, etc.
• Copy of ownership deed or rent agreement with NOC as proof of possession

Penalty, License Upgrade & Modification

• Operating without a license: Running a food business without valid FSSAI registration or license can attract penalties, including fines and, in serious cases, imprisonment under the FSS Act, 2006.
• License upgrade: If turnover crosses the threshold of your current category (e.g., from State License to Central License), you must apply for an upgrade on FoSCoS before continuing operations above that threshold.
• License modification: Any change in business details — address, product category, ownership structure, etc. — must be updated on FoSCoS through a modification application.
• Certificate download: Once approved, the license/registration certificate can be downloaded directly from the FBO's FoSCoS account.

Secure the FSSAI Central License Easily with LegalTax

LegalTax offers a comprehensive portfolio of services covering all types of food licenses for businesses in Delhi and across India. Our professionals provide a simple and fast process, keep track of the latest FSSAI regulatory changes on your behalf, and regularly provide updates on the status of your application to ensure complete transparency.

FAQs

Q1. What is the enforcement of the FSSAI Act, 2006?

The enforcement involves ensuring compliance with the FSS Act, 2006 and the rules and regulations made thereunder by all Food Business Operators (FBOs).

Q2. How can I get a Central FSSAI License?

You need to submit Form B along with the required documents through the FoSCoS (FSSAI official) portal.

Q3. Who requires an FSSAI Central License?

As per the FSSAI thresholds revised effective 1st April 2026, any food business with an annual turnover of more than Rs. 50 crores requires a Central License. Certain categories — such as importers/exporters, 5-star/7-star hotels, and health supplement manufacturers — require a Central License regardless of turnover.

Q4. Who issues the FSSAI Central License?

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issues the Central License.

Q5. What are the three types of FSSAI licenses?

The three types are: (a) FSSAI Basic Registration (turnover up to Rs. 1.5 crore), (b) FSSAI State License (turnover between Rs. 1.5 crore and Rs. 50 crore), and (c) FSSAI Central License (turnover above Rs. 50 crore).

Q6. How can I upgrade my FSSAI license to a Central License?

A formal request for license conversion can be submitted on the FoSCoS portal, or a fresh application can be filed along with the old certificate.

Q7. What is the fee for an FSSAI Central License?

The government fee for an FSSAI Central License starts from Rs. 7,500 per year and may vary depending on the nature and category of the business. Professional charges for documentation and filing assistance, if availed, are separate from the government fee. It's advisable to confirm the current government fee on the FoSCoS portal before applying, as fee schedules are updated periodically.

Q8. How long does it take to get approval for a Central FSSAI License?

An FSSAI Central License is generally processed within 7–30 working days, depending on document verification and whether a site inspection is required.

Q9. Does the FSSAI Central License now have a fixed expiry date?

FSSAI has been moving toward licenses that continue in force without a fixed expiry, subject to annual fee payment, timely FSCR filing, and compliance during inspections. Since the transition can vary by business category, it's best to confirm your specific license's status on FoSCoS or with our team rather than assume it doesn't need renewal.