Ensure Food Safety & Trust with FSSAI Basic Registration
FSSAI Basic Registration: How to Apply, Documents, Benefits & Rules
Ensuring food safety is a basic responsibility for anyone running a food business. Whether you’re a home baker, cloud kitchen owner, tiffin service provider, small retailer, wholesaler, or managing a small café, having a valid FSSAI registration or license is essential in India.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), set up under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, oversees and regulates all food businesses in the country. Its main aim is to make sure that the food sold in India is safe, hygienic, and free from contamination.
Among the different types of registrations, FSSAI Basic Registration is the simplest. It is meant for small food businesses with an annual turnover of up to ₹12 lakh. Even though it is the entry-level category, it is still mandatory and helps build trust and transparency with customers.
What is FSSAI Basic Registration?
FSSAI Basic Registration is the most basic level of food safety registration given to small food businesses with an annual turnover of up to ₹12 lakh.
It is meant for micro and small food operators (FBOs) such as:
- Home kitchens & tiffin services
- Small retailers
- Hawkers, street food vendors
- Small cafes and bakeries
- Small-scale food manufacturers
- Cottage industries
After registration, an FBO gets a 14-digit FSSAI Registration Number and a Food Safety Display Board (FSDB) that needs to be displayed at the business location or printed on the food packaging.
Purpose of FSSAI Registration
The purpose of FSSAI Registration is to:
➡️ Ensure that the food prepared or sold follows safety and hygiene standards
➡️ Protect consumers from adulterated, contaminated or unsafe food
➡️ Maintain accountability of food businesses
➡️ Build trust among customers and establish credibility
➡️ Give every food business a legal identity
➡️ Track food-related issues through the FSSAI number
Even the smallest food business must register so that food safety can be monitored at every level.
Types of FSSAI Registration
| S.No. | Type of Registration | Who Needs It | Turnover Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Basic Registration | Small businesses, home kitchens, petty food sellers | Up to ₹12 lakh |
| 2 | State License | Medium food units, mid-sized restaurants, processors | ₹12 lakh – ₹20 crore |
| 3 | Central License | Large companies, importers, exporters, big manufacturers | Above ₹20 crore |
Eligibility Criteria for FSSAI Basic Registration
| S.No. | Food Business Activity | Capacity Limit for Basic Registration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Food production (other than milk & meat) | Up to 100 kg/litre per day |
| 2 | Procurement / handling of milk | Up to 500 litres per day |
| 3 | Slaughtering | 2 large animals OR 10 small animals OR 50 poultry birds per day |
| 4 | Transport vehicles | Must have a single vehicle |
| 5 | Vending machines | Only one machine at a single location |
Who Requires FSSAI Basic Registration?
Anyone or any business in the food chain, whether directly or indirectly, needs to get FSSAI Registration or a License to operate their business effectively.
The Food Business Operators (FBOs) listed below usually require Basic Registration (for turnover up to ₹12 lakh).
👉 Home-based tiffin and dabba services
👉 Small shops selling packaged food items
👉 Small wholesalers working on a micro-scale
👉 Local grocery stores
👉 Street food vendors, hawkers, and cart sellers👉Small tea stalls, juice shops, and chaat counters
👉 Small-scale cottage food producers
👉 Small traders or distributors
👉 Small food businesses engaged in collecting, storing, or transporting limited quantities
👉 Temporary stalls or seasonal food counters
👉 Individuals selling homemade pickles, papads, spices, chocolates, and more.
Documents Required for Obtaining the FSSAI Registration/License
To obtain FSSAI Basic Registration, FSSAI State License, or FSSAI Central License, the following general documents are required:
1️⃣ Photo identity proof of the Food Business Operator (FBO)
2️⃣ Business constitution document, such as a Partnership Deed, Certificate of Incorporation, Shop & Establishment License, or any other valid business registration certificate
3️⃣ Proof of possession of business premises, including rental/lease agreement, No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the property owner, or utility bills
4️⃣ Food Safety Management System (FSMS) plan
5️⃣ List of food products to be manufactured, processed, or handled
6️⃣ Bank account details of the business
7️⃣ Supporting documents, if applicable, such as Municipality or Panchayat NOC, Health NOC, manufacturer’s license copy, etc.
In addition to the above general documents, certain category-specific documents are required while applying for an FSSAI State License or FSSAI Central License, depending on the nature and scale of the food business.
Validity And Renewal Of LMPC Import Registration
An FSSAI license is needed to run any food business, and it must be renewed before it expires. The license is valid for 1 to 5 years, so you should apply for renewal at least 30 days before the expiry date.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
| S. No. | Type of Violation | Penalty Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Food quality not meeting FSSAI standards | Up to ₹2,00,000 (₹25,000 for petty manufacturers) |
| 2 | Sub-standard food | Up to ₹5,00,000 |
| 3 | Misbranded food | Up to ₹3,00,000 |
| 4 | False or misleading advertisements / incorrect descriptions | Up to ₹10,00,000 |
| 5 | Presence of unwanted or extraneous matter in food | Up to ₹1,00,000 |
| 6 | Non-compliance with directions issued by the Food Safety Officer | Up to ₹2,00,000 |
| 7 | Unhygienic or unsafe processing/manufacturing conditions | Up to ₹1,00,000 |
Frequently Asked Question
Anyone involved in making, selling, storing, distributing, or transporting food must have FSSAI registration or license.
- Usually 7-30 days, depending on inspection and document verification.
ID proof, address proof, business documents, photos, food details, and Form A/B. State/Central licenses need extra documents like layout plan, water test report, machinery list, etc.
- Basic: Turnover below ₹12 lakh
- State: Turnover ₹12 lakh-₹20 crore
- Central: Turnover above ₹20 crore or import/export
Yes, all online food businesses including cloud kitchens must have FSSAI registration/license.
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