Every person (natural or artificial) involved in food business, such as manufacturing, processing, storage, distribution and sale of food products must compulsorily obtain FSSAI Registration or License.
FSSAI Registration differs from the FSSAI License depending on the size and nature of the business. FBOs should obtain the necessary registration or license depending on the size of their businesses.
FSSAI Registration is a 14-digit registration or a license number that is printed on all the food packages. The 14-digit registration number gives details about the assembling state and producer’s permit. This registration procedure is aimed at creating more accountability on the FBO to maintain the quality of the food products.
Food Safety & Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Business) Regulations, 2011, regulate the licensing and registration procedures and requirements.
FSSAI registration is based on the business types, turnover and capacity of production. Depending upon the installed capacity and turnover, FBOs are eligible for license such as basic license, central license, and state license.
FSSAI Registration is a basic license and it is required for all the FBOs involved in the small-scale food business. This category covers the following businesses:
| Sl.No | Business | Capacity |
| 1 | Food production (other than milk and meat) | Up to 100 kg/ltr per day |
| 2 | Procurement, handling and collection of milk | Up to 500 ltr per day |
| 3 | Slaughtering | 2 large animals or 10 small animals or 50 poultry birds per day or less |
| 4 | Transportation | Single vehicle |
| 5 | Vending machine | Up to 12 vending machines in only one state/UT |
For all other FBOs apart from small-scale businesses, the FSSAI license has to be obtained. FSSAI License can be classified into two categories i.e. State FSSAI License and Central FSSAI License based on the size of the business whether it is a medium scale or large scale business.
State FSSAI License
FBO with medium-sized manufacturing units, transporters, marketers, traders, etc., need to take State FSSAI registration from the State Government. This category covers the following businesses:
| Sl.No | Business | Capacity |
| 1 | Food production (other than milk and meat) | 1 MT to 2MT per day |
| 2 | Procurement, handling and collection of milk | 501 to 50,000 ltr per day |
| 3 | Slaughtering | 3-50 large animals or 11-150 small animals or 51-1,000 poultry birds per day |
| 4 | Storage | Up to 10,000 MT |
| 5 | Transportation | 100 vehicles |
| 6 | Hotel | One, Two, Three and Four star rating |
| 7 | Vending machine | Up to 100 vending machines in only one state/UT |
The tenure of the license issued is a maximum of 5 years and a minimum of 1 year.
Central FSSAI License
FBOs who are large manufacturers, importers and exporters dealing in large-scale food businesses need to obtain Central FSSAI registration from the Central Government. This category covers the following businesses:
| Sl.No | Business | Capacity |
| 1 | Food production (other than milk and meat) | More than 2MT per day |
| 2 | Procurement, handling and collection of milk | More than 50,000 ltr per day |
| 3 | Slaughtering | More than 50 large animals or more than 150 small animals or more than 1,000 poultry birds per day |
| 4 | Storage | More than 10,000 MT |
| 5 | Transportation | More than 100 vehicles |
| 6 | Hotel | Five star and above rating |
| 7 | Vending machine | More than 100 vending machines located in two or more states/UTs |
