Quick answer
Who needs FSSAI registration?
Every food business that manufactures, processes, stores, distributes, sells or serves food needs FSSAI registration or an FSSAI licence. Which one applies depends on the turnover and the type of food business. Applications are made online on FoSCoS (foscos.fssai.gov.in), the official FSSAI portal, which also shows the applicable government fee.
- Needed before you start selling food
- Registration or licence depends on turnover and activity
- Apply only on the official FoSCoS portal
- Cloud kitchens and home sellers are covered too
What is FSSAI registration and who needs it?
FSSAI registration is the food business operator's entry with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. It gives you a number to print on packaging, display at the premises and share with delivery apps and buyers. Without it, a food business is operating outside food safety law.
The rule is broad. It covers anyone who deals in food as a business, including:
- restaurants, dhabas, cafés, bakeries and sweet shops;
- kirana and grocery stores, dairy outlets and fruit and vegetable sellers;
- cloud kitchens and delivery-only brands;
- home bakers, tiffin services and people selling pickles or snacks online;
- wholesalers, distributors, cold stores and transporters of food;
- manufacturers, repackers and importers of food products.
If you are unsure whether your activity counts, assume it does and check the eligibility questions on the portal before you open.
Food licence or registration: which one do you need?
FSSAI has more than one tier, from a registration to licences. Which one fits your business depends on your annual turnover and the kind of food business you run, and FoSCoS works it out from your answers when you apply.
We do not publish turnover cut-offs or fees on this page, because they are set by FSSAI and should be read from the official portal on the day you apply. Instead, gather these facts before you start; they are what decides the tier:
- Your expected or actual annual turnover from food.
- Exactly what you do: cooking and serving, manufacturing, repacking, storage, transport, import or trading.
- Whether you operate from one premises or several, and whether you sell across state lines.
- The food categories involved, such as dairy, meat, bakery or packaged snacks.
If your business grows past the limits of your current tier, you must move to the right licence. Review the tier every year, not just when you first apply.
Need help with FSSAI licence and registration? Talk to a chartered accountant in Delhi today. First call is free.
FSSAI registration for cloud kitchens
A cloud kitchen needs FSSAI registration or a licence for the kitchen premises before it goes live on delivery apps. Each physical kitchen should be covered, and every brand you run from that kitchen should list the same FSSAI number on its app page.
Points that trip up Delhi cloud kitchen owners:
- Several brands, one kitchen. Running three virtual brands from one Pitampura kitchen does not mean three registrations, but the kitchen's registration must match the address the apps show.
- Second kitchen. Opening a new outlet in another part of Delhi means a separate registration or licence for that premises.
- Turnover growth. Delivery brands scale fast. If revenue moves past your tier, upgrade on FoSCoS rather than waiting for renewal.
- Rented premises. Keep the rent agreement and the landlord's consent ready, because the address on FSSAI should match the one on GST.
Expect delivery platforms to ask for your FSSAI details during onboarding, so apply before you sign up as a restaurant partner.
FSSAI registration for home food businesses
Yes, home-based food businesses need FSSAI registration too. A home baker, tiffin provider or someone selling pickles on Instagram is a food business operator once they sell, and the kitchen at home becomes the registered premises.
For home sellers the process is usually simpler, but a few habits make it smoother:
- Apply in the name of the person who runs the business, using the home address that appears on their ID or utility bill.
- Describe the products honestly: baked goods, cooked meals or packaged snacks. The food category affects what is asked of you.
- Print the FSSAI number on labels and packaging, and show it on your online store or social media page.
- If you start supplying cafés or shops in bulk, re-check whether your tier still fits.
Many home sellers in Delhi start as informal businesses. If you plan to grow, read our page on sole proprietorship registration to set up a simple business identity around the kitchen.
What documents are needed for an FSSAI licence or registration?
The exact list on FoSCoS depends on your tier and business type, and the portal shows it during the application. Keep these common items ready so you can finish in one sitting.
| Item | Why it is asked |
|---|---|
| Photo and identity proof of the applicant | Identifies the food business operator |
| Proof of premises | Ownership papers, or rent agreement with the owner's consent |
| List of food products or categories | Decides the tier and the conditions that apply |
| Entity documents (partnership deed, LLP or company papers) | For businesses that are not proprietorships |
| Layout or details of the kitchen or unit | Often needed for licences, especially manufacturing |
| Water test report, equipment list or food safety plan | Asked in some categories; check the portal list |
This is a preparation list, not an official checklist. The binding list is on foscos.fssai.gov.in, checked October 2026.
How to apply for FSSAI registration on FoSCoS
The application is online on FoSCoS. Use only the official address, foscos.fssai.gov.in, and avoid sites that imitate it with paid "instant licence" offers.
- 1
Check eligibility on FoSCoS
Answer the questions on business type and turnover; the portal tells you which tier applies.
- 2
Create a login
Register with a mobile number and email the owner will keep.
- 3
Fill the application
Enter business, premises and product details exactly as on your other records.
- 4
Upload documents and pay
Upload what the portal lists and pay the fee shown for your tier and period.
- 5
Respond and download
Answer any query or inspection request, then download the certificate once granted.
How much does FSSAI registration cost, and how long does it take?
The government fee depends on the tier and the number of years you choose, and FoSCoS shows it before you pay. We do not repeat fee figures here because we could not verify them against an official FSSAI source for this update.
Timing also varies with the tier. Simpler registrations tend to move faster; licences can involve document checks or an inspection. Apply well before your opening date or app launch, and reply to any query from the same login so the clock does not stop.
Professional fees, if you hire someone to prepare the application, are separate. Through CA in Delhi you get a fixed written quote, agreed before anything is filed.
Food licence in Delhi: local points to know
The FoSCoS application is the same across India, but Delhi food businesses have their own patterns.
- Old Delhi sweet and namkeen shops often operate across family-run branches. Each premises needs its own cover, and the name on each should match the business that runs it.
- Café and restaurant clusters in places like Model Town, Rajouri Garden and Hauz Khas change hands often. A new owner should apply in their own name rather than keep using the old certificate. Readers in that part of the city can see our CA in Model Town page.
- Food manufacturers in Narela and Bawana industrial areas should check their tier with particular care, since manufacturing tends to bring more conditions than retail, along with GST and other permits.
- Shop premises also need other local registrations. See shop and establishment registration for the Delhi labour law side.
After you get the FSSAI number
Display the certificate at the premises, print the number on labels, and renew before expiry. Most food businesses also need GST registration once turnover crosses the threshold; see GST registration. A food manufacturer or processor with investment and turnover inside the MSME limits can add Udyam registration for free.
- Keep the certificate's validity date in your calendar.
- Update FoSCoS when the address, products or ownership change.
- Keep basic hygiene and supplier records; they matter if an inspector visits.
How CA in Delhi helps with FSSAI registration
We help you work out the right tier, prepare the application and keep GST, Udyam and licence records consistent. Khubchandani & Co. Chartered Accountants lists food licence (FSSAI) work among its services, together with GST and accounting. You can see the other listed firms on our CA firms in Delhi page.
Message us on WhatsApp at +91 99114 92897 with your business type, address and rough turnover, and we will tell you what to prepare.
Frequently asked questions
Is FSSAI registration mandatory for a home kitchen business?
Yes. Once you sell food made at home, you are a food business operator and need FSSAI registration or a licence. Home bakers, tiffin services and online snack sellers all fall under this. Apply on FoSCoS with your home address as the premises.
Do cloud kitchens need a separate FSSAI licence for each brand?
The registration or licence is tied to the kitchen premises, not to each brand name. Several delivery brands run from one kitchen generally share that premises' FSSAI number. A second kitchen at another address needs its own registration or licence.
What is the difference between FSSAI registration and a food licence?
Both are permissions from FSSAI. Which of them you need is decided by your turnover and the type of food activity, not by choice. The FoSCoS eligibility check tells you which one to apply for.
What is the official website for FSSAI registration in Delhi?
The official portal is FoSCoS at foscos.fssai.gov.in. FSSAI registration in Delhi is made on this national portal; there is no separate Delhi website. Be wary of look-alike sites that charge a premium for an "instant" food licence.
What are the FSSAI registration fees?
The fee depends on your tier and the number of years you select. FoSCoS shows the exact amount before payment, and that figure is the one to rely on. Any consultant's charge is extra and should be agreed in writing upfront.
Can I start selling food while my FSSAI application is pending?
It is safer to wait. Delivery apps, retailers and buyers usually want the FSSAI number before listing you, and selling without cover exposes you to action under food safety law. Apply early so the number is ready before launch.
Do I need GST registration as well as FSSAI?
They are separate. FSSAI covers food safety; GST covers tax. Many small food businesses need FSSAI from day one but GST only once their turnover crosses the GST threshold or they sell in ways that require it. Check both before you open.
What happens if my turnover grows beyond my FSSAI tier?
You should move to the correct tier by applying for the higher licence on FoSCoS. Continuing under a registration that no longer fits your turnover can cause problems at inspection or renewal. Review your tier after each year's accounts.
Does a new owner of a restaurant need a fresh FSSAI licence?
Generally yes. The licence belongs to the food business operator, so a change of ownership should be reflected on FoSCoS. Ask before taking over a restaurant or café, and do not keep trading on the previous owner's certificate.