Perpetual FSSAI Licences: Do You Still Have to Renew?
FSSAI licences issued from 1 April 2026 no longer expire on a fixed date. Here is what changed, who it applies to, and what pre-existing licence holders must still do.
FSSAI licences and registrations issued from 1 April 2026 no longer carry a fixed expiry date - they stay valid until suspended, cancelled, or the business shuts down. This does not remove your other ongoing FSSAI obligations.
Key facts at a glance
- The FSSAI Licensing and Registration Amendment Regulations 2026 took effect on 11 March 2026.
- From 1 April 2026, new FSSAI licences and registrations have no fixed expiry date.
- Perpetual validity applies only to licences/registrations issued from 1 April 2026 onward - treatment of pre-existing ones should be confirmed with FSSAI.
- A perpetual licence stays valid until it is suspended, cancelled, or the business closes.
- The Registration turnover threshold was raised to Rs 1.5 crore.
- The State Licence turnover threshold was raised to Rs 50 crore.
- Annual returns and fee obligations continue regardless of the licence's validity period.
What Actually Changed
Before this amendment, every FSSAI licence and registration carried a fixed validity period of 1 to 5 years, chosen and paid for at the time of application, after which the business had to file a renewal or risk operating on an expired licence. The 2026 amendment removes that fixed-term structure for new licences and registrations issued on or after 1 April 2026.
Instead of picking a validity period and expiry date, a food business now gets a licence or registration that simply continues to be valid as long as the business remains compliant and operational. There is no renewal deadline to track for these newly issued documents.
What Perpetual Validity Does Not Change
Perpetual validity removes the expiry clock, not the compliance workload. Food businesses still need to:
- File annual returns as required under FSSAI rules.
- Pay applicable fees as they fall due.
- Maintain hygiene, labelling and safety standards on an ongoing basis.
- Display the licence number as required at business premises and on packaging.
- Cooperate with inspections, which have moved to a risk-based model rather than a fixed calendar.
A licence that never expires can still be suspended or cancelled if FSSAI finds violations during an inspection or audit. Perpetual validity is a change to the renewal mechanism, not a reduction in regulatory oversight.
Who Is Affected
| Business situation | What applies |
|---|---|
| New FSSAI Registration/Licence applied for on or after 1 April 2026 | No fixed expiry - perpetual validity |
| Existing licence/registration issued before 1 April 2026 | Original fixed-term validity continues to apply unless FSSAI issues conversion guidance |
| Licence up for renewal around the transition date | Confirm with FSSAI or a licensing consultant whether the renewed licence falls under the new perpetual regime |
| Street vendor registered under the Street Vendors Act, 2014 | Deemed registered under FSSAI, subject to the same underlying compliance expectations |
Should You Do Anything Right Now
If your current licence was issued before 1 April 2026, do not assume it has automatically become perpetual - the amendment applies to newly issued documents, and FSSAI's treatment of legacy licences at renewal time should be verified rather than assumed. If you are applying fresh or renewing after that date, you should end up with a licence that no longer needs a renewal filing on a fixed cycle, but you will still need to keep up with returns, fees and inspection readiness.
If you are unsure whether your food business is licensed correctly under the current thresholds and rules, ComplianceCheck's Food Business Assessment gives you a clear picture in a few minutes.
Sources
- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India - fssai.gov.in
- FSSAI Licensing and Registration Regulations and amendments - fssai.gov.in/regulations
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare - mohfw.gov.in
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do FSSAI licences still expire after a fixed number of years?
- Only pre-existing licences follow the old fixed-term model. FSSAI licences and registrations issued from 1 April 2026 onward have no fixed expiry and continue until suspended, cancelled, or the business closes.
- When did the perpetual licence rule start?
- The FSSAI Licensing and Registration Amendment Regulations 2026 took effect on 11 March 2026, and the perpetual-validity provision applies to licences and registrations issued from 1 April 2026.
- Does this mean I never have to pay FSSAI fees again?
- No. Perpetual validity removes the fixed renewal date, but annual returns, fee payments and other ongoing compliance obligations under FSSAI rules still apply.
- What happens to my existing FSSAI licence issued before April 2026?
- Pre-existing licences and registrations continue to follow their original fixed-term validity unless FSSAI issues specific guidance converting them; check the current treatment directly with FSSAI or your licensing authority.
- Can FSSAI still cancel or suspend a perpetual licence?
- Yes. A perpetual licence remains valid only until it is suspended or cancelled for non-compliance, or the business closes down, so it removes the renewal deadline but not the compliance obligation.
- Does perpetual validity apply to both registration and licence categories?
- Yes, the no-fixed-expiry provision applies across both FSSAI Registration and State/Central Licence categories for those issued from 1 April 2026 onward.
- Do I still need to display my FSSAI licence number and undergo inspections?
- Yes. Perpetual validity only changes the renewal timeline; display requirements, inspections and other ongoing FSSAI obligations are unaffected.
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