Home > Food Business Licensing and Registration Eligibility Guide 2026

A detailed breakdown of the eligibility criteria, licensing types, and fee structures for various food business categories as of April 1, 2026, based on the provided sources.

Core Business Definitions:

The sources categorize food businesses into three primary functional roles:

• Manufacturer: Includes entities owning or operating units that process raw materials into intermediate or final products, including contract manufacturers and contract packers.
• Relabeller: A business that has its products manufactured or packed by a third party.
• Repacker: An operator that packs products into different sizes without altering the nature, composition, or formulation of the food. Minimal processing like sorting, grading, or sieving is permitted for repackers under General Manufacturing.

License and Registration Thresholds:

For most general food businesses (Manufacturers, Storage, Wholesalers, Retailers, and Restaurants), the following standard turnover-based tiers apply:

• Central License (Rs. 7500/annum): Required for an annual turnover exceeding Rs. 50 Cr.
• State License (Rs. 5000/annum): Required for an annual turnover between Rs. 1.5 Cr and Rs. 50 Cr.
• Registration (Rs. 100/annum): Required for petty businesses with an annual turnover up to Rs. 1.5 Cr.

Mandatory Central License (No Turnover Threshold):

Certain business types must obtain a Central License (Rs. 7500) regardless of their annual turnover:

Specialized Food Manufacturers:

Certain types of food production require a Central License due to the nature of the products, irrespective of the volume produced:

• Proprietary Food: As defined under sub-Regulation 2.12 of the Food Safety and Standards Regulations.
• Health Supplements and Nutraceuticals: Including foods for special dietary uses, special medical purposes, functional foods, and novel foods.
• Non-specified Food and Food Ingredients: Any food or additive for which standards have not been specifically defined and which requires prior product approval from FSSAI-HQ.
• Ayurveda Aahara: Food prepared according to authoritative books of Ayurveda listed in ‘Schedule A’ of the regulations.
• Radiation Processing of Food: Any establishment involved in the irradiation of food commodities using ionizing radiation.

Import and Export Businesses:

Entities involved in international trade must hold a Central License:

• Importers: Any business bringing articles of trade from a foreign source into the domestic market.
• 100% Export Oriented Units (EOUs): Manufacturers involved in producing food products strictly for export that may not meet FSSAI standards but have a 100% EOU certificate.
• Exporter-Manufacturers: Manufacturers of products intended for export that comply with the importing country’s regulations rather than domestic FSS Act standards.
• Trader/Merchant Exporters: Entities engaged in the export of food products.

Digital and Multi-State Operations:

• E-Commerce: Platforms or businesses involved in the buying and selling of food products or services over the internet.
• Head Office / Registered Office: Food Business Operators (FBOs) with operations in two or more States or Union Territories must obtain a Central License for their designated Head or Registered Office.

Specific Premises and Agencies:

Operations conducted at specific designated locations are under central jurisdiction:

• Airports and Seaports: All food business activities, including storage, wholesale, retail, and food service establishments (restaurants/catering) located within these premises.
• Central Government Agencies: Food business activities like storage, wholesale, distribution, and retail conducted at the premises of Central Government Agencies.

Key Sector-Specific Variations:

• Milling Units: Unlike other general manufacturers, all Grain, Cereal, and Pulse milling units must obtain at least a State License, regardless of their turnover (unless they exceed the threshold for a Central License).
• Hotels: Eligibility is based on star rating rather than just turnover. Five Star and above require a Central License (Rs. 7500), while up to Four Star require a State License (Rs. 5000).
• Government Agencies & Railways:
  • Central Government Agencies and Railway premises have a modified fee of Rs. 2000 for Central Licenses when turnover exceeds Rs. 1.5 Cr.
  • Units at these premises with turnover up to Rs. 1.5 Cr require a Central Registration (Rs. 100).
• Fee Waivers: Registration fees are waived for Hawkers (effective 28.09.2024) and Anganwadi (ICDS) Centres (effective 12.03.2025).

Storage and Logistics:

The regulations distinguish between different types of storage, though the fee structure remains aligned with turnover thresholds:

• Storage types: Categorized into Cold/Refrigerated, Controlled Atmosphere + Cold, and General Storage (warehouses/godowns).
• Transportation: Includes specialized vehicles like insulated refrigerated vans, milk tankers, and oil tankers.

Food Services and Catering:

• Caterers: Must obtain a State License (Rs. 5000) for turnover up to Rs. 50 Cr; only those exceeding Rs. 50 Cr require a Central License.
• Mid-Day Meals: Specific categories exist for both Caterers (preparing and transporting) and Canteens (serving in schools) under the Mid-day Meal Scheme.
• Small Establishments: Dhabas, boarding houses, permanent/temporary stalls, and home-based canteens (Dabba Wallas) follow the standard Rs. 100 Registration (up to 1.5 Cr) or Rs. 5000 State License (above 1.5 Cr).

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