Any business that makes, stores, transports or sells food needs an FSSAI authorisation — but there are three tiers, and using the wrong one is a compliance risk. Which you need comes down to turnover and scale. This guide sets out the three tiers, the turnover bands, the documents, and why the wrong tier can mean penalties and seizure.
- Every food business needs FSSAI — the tier depends on turnover and scale.
- Basic registration: up to Rs 12 lakh turnover.
- State licence: Rs 12 lakh to Rs 20 crore; Central licence: above Rs 20 crore, importers, multi-state.
- The 14-digit FSSAI number must be displayed on packaging and premises.
The three FSSAI tiers
| Tier | Turnover | Typical business |
|---|---|---|
| Basic registration | Up to Rs 12 lakh | Home kitchens, small stalls |
| State licence | Rs 12 lakh – Rs 20 crore | Restaurants, mid-size manufacturers |
| Central licence | Above Rs 20 crore | Large units, importers, multi-state |
The tiers in detail
- Basic registration: small operators with turnover up to Rs 12 lakh.
- State licence: mid-sized businesses, turnover between Rs 12 lakh and Rs 20 crore.
- Central licence: large operators above Rs 20 crore, importers and multi-state businesses (which need central plus state licences per location).
“Every food business needs FSSAI. Turnover, not the type of food, decides which of the three tiers applies to you.”
Frequently asked questions
How long is an FSSAI licence valid?
You can obtain it for 1 to 5 years. Renew before expiry — lapsing can halt operations and platform listings.
What if my turnover grows past a tier?
You upgrade to the higher tier. Continuing on a lower tier once you cross the band is a compliance breach.
Do home-based and online food sellers need FSSAI?
Yes. See our guide on FSSAI for cloud kitchens and home food sellers.
Running a cloud kitchen or selling food online? See our FSSAI for online food guide. Our FSSAI registration service assesses your tier and files it. Explore all registration services.
