FSSAI Food License
Every food business in India needs an FSSAI license. We handle the FoSCoS application, classify you under the right tier (Basic / State / Central), coordinate the inspection if required, and manage renewals — keeping your food business legally compliant.
Why choose Openedze
What you get when our experts handle this end-to-end
Legal mandate
Operating without FSSAI is a punishable offence — fines up to ₹5 lakhs and imprisonment under the FSS Act. License keeps you safe.
Marketplace access
Swiggy, Zomato, Amazon, BigBasket, and Quick Commerce platforms require an active FSSAI license before listing.
Customer trust
FSSAI number displayed on packaging and menus signals food safety compliance — increasingly a buying criterion.
Export & B2B access
Central license unlocks export and large B2B contracts that require regulatory clearance.
Pan-India operations
Central license allows you to operate across multiple states under one umbrella registration.
Renewal management
Licenses lapse without renewal — we track yours and renew before expiry to avoid operational disruption.
What we help with
Tier classification
We confirm whether you need Basic Registration, State License, or Central License based on your turnover, scale, and reach.
FoSCoS application
Application submitted on the FSSAI's FoSCoS portal with full supporting documentation.
FBO categorisation
We classify your business correctly — restaurant, manufacturer, cloud kitchen, importer, retailer, etc.
Premises inspection
For State and Central licenses, an FSSAI officer may inspect your premises. We prep you and coordinate the visit.
License issuance
License delivered as a downloadable certificate — also linked to your FoSCoS dashboard.
Annual returns
Annual Return (Form D1) and Half-Yearly Return (Form D2) handled for manufacturers and importers.
Pick the right FSSAI tier
FSSAI uses a three-tier licensing system based on the scale and nature of your food business. Each tier has different documentation, inspection, and timeline requirements — and operating under the wrong tier is a compliance risk on its own.
Basic Registration is for small businesses with annual turnover below ₹12 lakhs — typically home-based food vendors, small retailers, and tea stalls. State License covers most mid-size operations (turnover ₹12 lakhs to ₹20 crores) and is the most common tier we file. Central License is mandatory for large operations, multi-state businesses, food importers, exporters, and central government suppliers.
We've handled FSSAI applications across all three tiers — restaurants, cloud kitchens, packaged food manufacturers, importers, and home-cooked food sellers. Our job is to pick the right tier, prepare clean documentation, and manage the FoSCoS interface so you focus on running the kitchen.
Eligibility & documents
Who needs an FSSAI license
- Restaurants, cafés, cloud kitchens, and food trucks
- Packaged food manufacturers and brands
- Food retailers, wholesalers, and distributors
- Cold storage and warehouse operators handling food
- Food importers and exporters
- Online food aggregators and home-based food businesses
- Caterers, banquet halls, and event food services
- Anyone handling, processing, packaging, storing, or transporting food in India
Documents we'll need
- Identity proof (PAN, Aadhaar) of proprietor / partners / directors
- Address proof of premises (rent agreement + NOC or ownership proof)
- Photograph of the food premises
- Layout plan of the unit (for manufacturers and large kitchens)
- List of food products / categories handled
- Water test report (for manufacturers — we coordinate testing)
- Form IX (Nomination of Persons by Company) if applicable
- Food safety management plan (for Central License)
How Openedze helps
A clear, milestone-based path from kick-off to delivery
Tier check & scoping
Quick scoping to confirm whether you need Basic, State, or Central license — based on turnover and operations.
Document preparation
We help you assemble the FoSCoS document set, including premises photos and layout if required.
FoSCoS application
Filed on the FoSCoS portal. We track the application and respond to any clarification requests.
Inspection & license
For State/Central, we coordinate the officer inspection. License issued post-inspection.
Support journey
Discovery & scoping
Day 0We confirm tier, gather business details, share document checklist.
Documents in
Day 1–3Documents collected and verified by our team.
FoSCoS filing
Day 3–5Application submitted on the FoSCoS portal.
Inspection (if applicable)
Day 5–15For State / Central licenses — officer visit coordinated and accompanied by our team.
License delivered
Day 7–30Final license issued and shared. Timeline varies: Basic ~3-7 days, State ~10-15 days, Central ~15-30 days.
Frequently asked questions
Which tier do I need?â–¾
Basic Registration for turnover < ₹12 lakhs. State License for ₹12 lakhs – ₹20 crores or interstate operations within state. Central License for turnover > ₹20 crores, multi-state operations, importers, exporters, and central government suppliers. We confirm this on the discovery call.
How long is the license valid?â–¾
FSSAI licenses are issued for 1 to 5 years depending on your selection at application time. Longer durations have proportionally higher government fees but reduce renewal overhead.
Is inspection mandatory?â–¾
Inspection isn't required for Basic Registration. For State and Central licenses, the FBO may be inspected before or after issuance depending on the category. We coordinate the inspection and brief you on what to expect.
What happens if I don't renew on time?â–¾
Operating with an expired license is equivalent to operating without one — fines up to ₹5 lakhs and operational disruption. We send reminders 90, 60, and 30 days before expiry and handle renewal proactively.
Do home-based food businesses need FSSAI?â–¾
Yes. Even home kitchens supplying through Swiggy, Zomato, or social media require at least Basic Registration. The platforms won't let you list without it.
What about annual returns?â–¾
Manufacturers (State and Central) must file Form D1 (annual) and Form D2 (half-yearly for some categories). We handle these as part of an annual compliance retainer.
Get FSSAI-compliant fast
Whether you're launching a cloud kitchen or scaling a food brand, we'll get your FSSAI license sorted end-to-end.