FSSAI Registration vs State Licence vs Central Licence

Which FSSAI approval you need - Registration, State Licence, or Central Licence - depends almost entirely on your annual turnover and how many states you operate in, not on the type of food business.

Key facts at a glance

• FSSAI Registration applies to smaller food businesses; the turnover threshold was raised to Rs 1.5 crore under the 2026 amendment regulations.
• State Licence applies above the Registration threshold, up to a turnover of Rs 50 crore.
• Central Licence generally applies above Rs 50 crore turnover, for multi-state operations, importers/exporters, and certain specified categories.
• From 1 April 2026, new licences/registrations have no fixed expiry - they continue until suspended, cancelled, or the business closes.
• Inspections have shifted from fixed calendar-based to risk-based, including possible third-party audits.
• Street vendors registered under the Street Vendors Act 2014 are deemed registered under FSSAI.
• The Licensing and Registration Amendment Regulations 2026 took effect 11 March 2026.

FSSAI Registration - who it is for

FSSAI Registration is the entry-level approval for small food businesses - petty manufacturers, small retailers, home-based food businesses, and similar operations below the turnover threshold. It is a simpler process, generally issued faster and with lighter documentation than a licence. Under the 2026 amendment, the eligibility ceiling was raised to Rs 1.5 crore in annual turnover, allowing more small businesses to use the lighter Registration route instead of a full licence.

FSSAI State Licence - who it is for

A State Licence applies to mid-sized food businesses that have grown past the Registration threshold but remain within a single state and below the Central Licence threshold. It involves more detailed documentation - including a food safety management plan in many cases - and is issued by the state food safety authority. The 2026 amendment raised this ceiling to Rs 50 crore in turnover, meaning a wider band of mid-sized businesses can stay on a State Licence rather than needing to escalate to Central.

FSSAI Central Licence - who it is for

A Central Licence is required for the largest food businesses, those operating across multiple states, importers and exporters, and certain categories that require central oversight regardless of turnover size (such as certain large-scale manufacturing or specific high-risk categories). It involves the most extensive documentation and central-level scrutiny.

Side-by-side comparison

What changed with the 2026 amendment

Before the Licensing and Registration Amendment Regulations 2026 (effective 11 March 2026), turnover thresholds for Registration and State Licence were lower, pushing more mid-sized businesses into the State or Central Licence category than the new thresholds require. The raised thresholds mean many businesses that previously needed a State Licence may now qualify for Registration, and businesses that previously needed a Central Licence may now qualify for a State Licence - it is worth re-checking your category rather than assuming your existing approval type is still the correct one.

Separately, licences and registrations issued from 1 April 2026 no longer expire on a fixed date; they continue indefinitely until suspended, cancelled, or the business closes. This only applies to approvals issued from that date onward - if your current licence predates it, confirm directly with FSSAI how the change applies to your renewal cycle.

How to pick the right category

Start with your business's annual turnover, then check whether you operate in more than one state or fall into a category that mandates Central Licensing regardless of turnover (such as import/export). If turnover alone determines your category, use the current thresholds above rather than older figures you may have seen before the 2026 amendment.

If you are not sure which FSSAI category applies to your food business, ComplianceCheck's food business assessment gives you a clear picture in a few minutes.

Sources

• FSSAI - fssai.gov.in
• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
• Respective State Food Safety Authority

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Requirements vary by state, sector and headcount - confirm specifics with a compliance professional or the relevant authority.