A food license is your FSSAI registration or license: a 14-digit number every food business in India needs before it makes, stores or sells food. Since 1 April 2026, businesses with annual turnover up to ₹1.5 crore need only FSSAI basic registration at ₹100 a year, larger ones need a State license, and very large or special categories need a Central license. You apply online on the FoSCoS portal.
Below: who needs which tier in Indore, current fees, documents, the step-by-step process and what changed in 2026.
Who needs a food license in Indore?
Under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, anyone running a food business needs a registration or a license, whether you cook at home or run a factory. FSSAI calls you a “Food Business Operator” (FBO).
In Indore, that typically includes:
- Home bakers and cake makers selling through Instagram or WhatsApp.
- Tiffin and dabba services for students and office staff in Bhawarkua, Vijay Nagar and AB Road.
- Cloud kitchens on Swiggy and Zomato, which ask for your FSSAI number before listing you.
- Street food stalls and tea points around Sarafa, Chappan Dukan and Rajwada.
- Kirana stores selling packaged food.
- Sweet, namkeen and poha-jalebi shops, and small masala, papad or pickle units.
- Caterers, dhabas and banquet halls.
- Dairies, milk vendors and paneer units.
Chappan Dukan received FSSAI’s “Clean Street Food Hub” tag in 2019, and registered shops displaying their numbers was part of that standard.
What changed in 2026: higher limits and no renewal
The FSS (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Amendment Regulations, 2026 were notified on 10 March 2026, and an FSSAI order of 13 March 2026 revised turnover limits from 1 April 2026. FSSAI’s official FAQ of 27 March 2026 sums up the reforms:
- New limits: registration up to ₹1.5 crore (earlier ₹12 lakh), State license above ₹1.5 crore up to ₹50 crore, Central license above ₹50 crore.
- Perpetual validity: anything issued on or after 1 April 2026 stays valid unless suspended, cancelled or surrendered. No renewal, but the annual fee remains, and you can pay for several years at once.
- Street vendors: those registered under the Street Vendors Act, 2014 are deemed registered under the FSS Act. Hygiene rules still apply.
- Risk-based inspection: compliant businesses should face fewer inspections.
- Migration: existing businesses can shift to the right tier on FoSCoS free, keeping the same number.
FSSAI registration vs State license vs Central license
Based on FSSAI’s eligibility sheet updated on 1 April 2026:
| Tier | Who it covers | Fee per year | Typical Indore examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| FSSAI basic registration (Form A) | Turnover up to ₹1.5 crore | ₹100 (₹0 for hawkers) | Home baker, tiffin service, tea stall, kirana, small restaurant or cloud kitchen |
| State license (Form B) | Above ₹1.5 crore up to ₹50 crore, plus some activities at any turnover | ₹5,000 for most kinds of business | Busy restaurant, mid-size namkeen unit, distributor, caterer |
| Central license (Form B) | Above ₹50 crore, plus importers, e-commerce sellers, proprietary food and nutraceuticals at any turnover | ₹7,500 | Importer, large manufacturer, multi-state head office |
Watch the exceptions. Caterers for weddings and events need a State license up to ₹50 crore turnover, as the sheet gives them no registration option. Grain, cereal and pulse mills need a State license at any turnover.
Tip: Food license fees and categories can be revised. Go by the fee FoSCoS shows for your kind of business on the day you pay.
Documents required
For FSSAI basic registration
FoSCoS lists just three documents for registration:
- A recent photo.
- Government photo ID such as Aadhaar, PAN or Voter ID.
- Business address proof, if it differs from your ID. A rent agreement or electricity bill usually works (see rent agreements and MP stamp duty).
Also keep a list of the food items you sell for the food category section.
For a State or Central license
FSSAI’s kind-of-business document list asks every applicant for:
- List of proprietor, partners or directors with contact details, naming the authorised signatory (on letterhead).
- Photo ID and address proof of those persons.
- Proof of possession of premises: sale deed, rent agreement, electricity bill, etc.
- Partnership deed, proprietorship self-declaration, or MoA and AoA.
- Form IX nominating a responsible person (not for a sole proprietor).
Extra documents by activity:
- Restaurants, hotels, canteens: a chemical and bacteriological water test report from a recognised or public health lab, if water is an ingredient.
- Manufacturers: layout plan with dimensions and operation-wise area, unit photos, machinery list with capacity and horsepower, water test report and a recall plan.
- Dairy: milk procurement plan. Meat: raw material source and municipal NOC. Repackers and relabellers: NOC from the manufacturer.
All uploads must be self-attested. FSSAI has told officers not to demand documents beyond this standard list unless a public order requires them.
Need help with FSSAI Food License in Indore?
Share your requirement on WhatsApp or visit our office at Tower Chouraha, Indore. Our team will tell you which documents are needed and guide you through the next steps.
FSSAI registration process on FoSCoS: step by step
The whole food license online process runs on foscos.fssai.gov.in:
- Know your kind of business and turnover: retailer, restaurant, manufacturer, caterer and so on.
- Check eligibility. Choose Madhya Pradesh, enter the premises address and kind of business. The portal shows whether you need a registration, State license or Central license.
- Sign up with your mobile number and email (OTP verified).
- Fill the form: Form A for registration, Form B for a license. Enter business details, food categories and turnover.
- Upload the self-attested documents.
- Pay the fee online for the years you choose, and save the application reference number.
- Scrutiny and inspection. The authority may raise a query on the portal or inspect the premises, especially for licenses. Reply quickly.
- Download the certificate from FoSCoS once approved.
Processing time depends on the authority and whether an inspection is needed, so nobody can promise a fixed date.
Validity, annual fee and older certificates
Anything issued on or after 1 April 2026 has perpetual validity. Keep the annual fee paid and your details current. A new address, new food categories or new partners still need a modification application.
Certificates issued before April 2026 were granted for 1 to 5 years, with an expiry date printed on them. FSSAI says existing businesses will get time to migrate. If your old certificate still shows an expiry date, log in to FoSCoS well before it and check whether you must migrate, renew or pay the fee.
Licensed manufacturers and importers have also had to file an annual return on FoSCoS (due 31 May). Check whether this applies to you.
Displaying your FSSAI number
- At the premises: display a copy of the certificate where customers can see it.
- On packaging: labels must carry the FSSAI logo and your license or registration number.
- On bills: an FSSAI order of 8 June 2021 requires the 14-digit number on receipts, bills and invoices from 1 October 2021.
- On menus and apps: print it on menu cards and keep it updated on delivery apps.
Hygiene and inspection basics
Every food business must follow the hygiene rules in Schedule 4 of the Licensing Regulations:
- Clean premises with pest control.
- Potable water.
- Clean utensils, with raw and cooked food kept apart.
- Healthy food handlers in clean clothes, with head covers and gloves where needed.
- Proper waste disposal.
Licensed businesses also need at least one FoSTaC-trained Food Safety Supervisor for every 25 food handlers.
Food Safety Officers can inspect, take samples and issue improvement notices.
Penalty for operating without FSSAI registration or license
Section 63 of the FSS Act covers businesses that need a license but operate without one. As amended by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023, it provides a penalty of up to ₹10 lakh. Unsafe or sub-standard food carries separate penalties, and ignoring an improvement notice can lead to suspension or cancellation.
The practical cost is often bigger: delivery apps delist you, buyers and tenders ask for the number, and one complaint can bring an inspection.
Tip: Register before your first sale, not after a complaint. At ₹100 a year, FSSAI basic registration is one of the cheapest compliances you will ever pay.
Getting FSSAI registration done in Indore
Kanha Associates helps food businesses across Indore and nearby towns file on FoSCoS. We check which tier fits, prepare the form and letterhead documents, upload them and help you answer queries.
Start on WhatsApp at +91 91713 55550 with your ID, photo, premises proof and a list of what you sell. This works the same from Vijay Nagar, Palasia, Rajwada, Rau, Mhow, Pithampur, Sanwer, Dewas, Dhar or Ujjain. Or visit us at Shop No. 3, 917 Khatiwala Tank, Tower Chouraha, Monday to Saturday, 10:30 AM to 7:30 PM (directions).
Some things need you personally: the OTP on your mobile, signing letterhead documents, and being at the premises if an officer inspects. The government fee goes to FSSAI, and approval is the authority’s decision.
Food businesses often also need a Gumasta license, GST registration or Udyam registration. See all our business growth solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fee for a food license in 2026?
Basic FSSAI registration is ₹100 a year for turnover up to ₹1.5 crore, and free for hawkers. FSSAI’s eligibility sheet lists ₹5,000 a year for a State license in most categories and ₹7,500 for a Central license. Confirm the exact fee on FoSCoS when you pay.
Do home bakers and tiffin services need FSSAI registration?
Yes. Anyone selling food as a business needs at least basic registration, even when cooking at home. Delivery apps and corporate or school buyers will also ask for the number.
Does a small tea stall or thela need FSSAI registration?
A tea stall or petty retailer needs basic registration, and the fee is waived for hawkers. Street vendors registered under the Street Vendors Act, 2014 are now deemed registered under the FSS Act, but must still follow hygiene rules.
Can I apply for a food license online myself?
Yes, the whole process is online at foscos.fssai.gov.in. Many people still take help choosing the right kind of business and food categories, since a wrong choice can lead to queries or rejection.
Do I need to renew my FSSAI license?
Registrations and licenses issued on or after 1 April 2026 have perpetual validity, so no renewal is needed. You still pay the annual fee. If your older certificate has an expiry date, check its status on FoSCoS before that date.
Is GST registration needed to get FSSAI registration?
No. GST is a separate tax registration and is not required for basic FSSAI registration. Whether you need GST depends on your turnover and the kind of business you run.
This guide is for general information and is not legal advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm current requirements before you apply.
Sorting out FSSAI early lets you list on apps, print proper labels and sell without worry. Unsure which tier applies? Send us a WhatsApp message and we will help you work it out.