If you’re wondering how to apply for food license in India, you’re in the right place. Whether you’re starting a small home-based food venture or launching a full-scale restaurant, getting a food license is legally mandatory and crucial for building trust with customers.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulates food safety across the country. Without an FSSAI license, you may face penalties, legal trouble, or even business closure. This guide walks you through the FSSAI registration process, eligibility, documents required, fees, and key steps to ensure you’re 100% compliant.
From understanding the license types to avoiding common mistakes, you’ll learn everything about how to apply for food license — especially relevant if you’re planning to launch or grow a restaurant in India. Let’s dive in and simplify this essential process!
To understand how to apply for food license, it’s important to first know what FSSAI is and why it matters.
FSSAI stands for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. It’s the government body responsible for regulating and supervising food safety across the country. Established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, FSSAI ensures that all food products sold in India meet strict safety, hygiene, and quality standards.
Holding an FSSAI license is mandatory for all food-related businesses — from small vendors to large restaurant chains. It not only ensures legal compliance but also boosts customer trust and confidence in your brand.
So if you’re starting a restaurant in India, getting an FSSAI license should be one of your first steps.
The FSSAI registration process is divided into three categories depending on your business scale:
Before diving into how to apply for food license, make sure you know your category. If you are planning to open a restaurant franchise or even a cloud kitchen, knowing the right type of license is essential to ensure smooth operations. If you are looking for a franchise opportunity, check out Tandooriwala Franchise Opportunities in Ahmedabad, Pune, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata for a full-service restaurant that ensures compliance.
Understanding your eligibility helps streamline the FSSAI registration process. Here’s how to determine your category:
Your business model and food type (packaged goods, beverages, catering, etc.) also impact eligibility. Clarifying this early simplifies how to apply for food license correctly. Businesses looking to scale often choose franchise models like FOCO model franchise for a more structured and successful entry.
Now let’s break down how to apply for food license in India, step by step.
Go to the official FSSAI portal — Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) at https://foscos.fssai.gov.in.
Register using your email, mobile number, and business details.
Select between Basic, State, or Central based on your business turnover and operations.
(See full list of documents below)
The fee depends on the license type and number of years selected (between 1–5 years). Always keep a receipt for reference.
Authorities may inspect your premises, especially for State and Central licenses.
If approved, your license will be issued digitally. Download it and display it at your business.
This is the entire FSSAI registration process simplified. It’s now easier than ever to know how to apply for food license online.
When figuring out how to apply for food license, having your documents in place is crucial to avoid rejections.
For Basic Registration (Form A):
For State/Central License (Form B):
Prepare these ahead to simplify how to apply for food license.
The cost of applying for an FSSAI license depends on the type and duration.
These rates may vary slightly by state. When planning how to apply for food license, budget this cost along with business setup expenses.
FSSAI licenses are issued for 1 to 5 years, based on your choice at the time of application.
Knowing how to apply for food license is just one part — maintaining and renewing it on time is equally critical.
Avoid these common errors that delay approvals:
A smooth FSSAI registration process depends on attention to detail.
If you’re opening a restaurant in India, obtaining a food license is not optional — it’s mandatory.
A valid restaurant license India ensures:
Whether it’s a small takeaway counter or a fine-dine restaurant, knowing how to apply for food license is the first step toward legal and commercial success.
Don’t want to deal with complex applications and paperwork? Brands like Tandooriwala offer a complete business package, including:
They handle how to apply for food license for you — making it easier to launch your restaurant in less time, with full compliance.
Don’t want to deal with food license paperwork?
Join Tandooriwala — one of India’s most trusted restaurant franchises offering full licensing assistance, training, setup support, and brand strength.
With Tandooriwala, you get:
Explore Tandooriwala Franchise Opportunities
Now that you’ve learned how to apply for food license, it’s time to take action. Don’t delay the registration — it protects your brand, your customers, and your future business growth. With the right documents and steps, the FSSAI registration process is straightforward and hassle-free.
Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, a cloud kitchen owner, or setting up a full-scale restaurant in India, a food license is your first and most important business investment.
Apply via the FoSCoS portal, or partner with a trusted franchise like Tandooriwala to get full compliance and success-ready support.
You must apply through the official FoSCoS portal, choose your license type (Basic, State, Central), fill out the application form, upload necessary documents, pay the fee, and await approval or inspection.
Documents include ID proof, business registration certificate, address proof, FSMS plan, product details, and turnover proof, depending on your license type.
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It usually takes 7–30 days based on the license type and whether an inspection is required.
Yes. Even small-scale food businesses operating from home must register with FSSAI.
Yes, but you must provide a valid address and ownership/rental proof for where the food is prepared or stored.
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Yes. Swiggy, Zomato, and other platforms mandate FSSAI licensing for listings.
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Yes, use the FoSCoS portal to renew your license at least 30 days before expiry.
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No. FSSAI licenses must be renewed every 1–5 years, depending on the duration you choose during application.
