Every packaged food product sold in India — online or offline — must carry an FSSAI license number on its label. No exceptions.
Yet we regularly see D2C food brands on Shopify and Instagram selling homemade snacks, health drinks, spice mixes, and supplements with no FSSAI license. Some don’t know it’s required. Others think “I’ll get it later when I scale.”
Here’s why that’s a terrible idea: the penalty for operating without an FSSAI license is up to ₹5 lakh fine and imprisonment up to 6 months. Marketplaces like Amazon and Flipkart won’t list your food products without a valid FSSAI number. And if a customer complaint triggers an inspection, your entire inventory can be seized.
The good news? Getting an FSSAI license is straightforward — here’s exactly how to do it.
Which FSSAI License Do You Need?
FSSAI offers three types of registration based on your annual turnover and business type:
Type
Annual Turnover
Who Needs It
Government Fee
Validity
Basic Registration
Up to ₹12 lakh
Home-based food businesses, small D2C startups, cottage industries
₹100/year
1-5 years
State License
₹12 lakh – ₹20 crore
Most growing D2C food brands, manufacturers, storage units
₹2,000-5,000/year
1-5 years
Central License
Above ₹20 crore
Large manufacturers, importers, e-commerce food marketplaces
₹7,500/year
1-5 years
For most D2C food startups: Start with Basic Registration if you’re under ₹12 lakh/year revenue. The moment you cross ₹12 lakh, upgrade to a State License. Don’t wait — operating on a Basic Registration when you need a State License is a violation.
Step-by-Step: How to Get Your FSSAI License
Step 1: Gather Your Documents
For Basic Registration:
Aadhaar card of the proprietor/owner
Passport-size photograph
Proof of business address (electricity bill, rent agreement)
Self-declaration of food safety compliance
For State License (most D2C brands):
Photo ID and address proof of promoters/directors
Company registration documents (GST certificate, PAN, Certificate of Incorporation for Pvt Ltd)
Food safety management plan or HACCP certification
List of food products to be manufactured/sold (with categories)
Blueprint/layout of the processing facility
List of equipment and machinery
Water test report from a recognized lab
NOC from local municipality or panchayat
Proof of possession of premises (rent agreement/ownership deed)
Step 2: Apply Online on FoSCoS Portal
All FSSAI applications are now processed through the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal at foscos.fssai.gov.in.
Create an account on the FoSCoS portal
Select the type of license (Basic/State/Central)
Fill in business details — name, address, type of business activity
Upload required documents
Pay the government fee online
Submit the application
Processing time: Basic Registration is typically approved in 7-15 working days. State License takes 30-60 days (inspection may be required). Central License can take 60-90 days.
Step 3: Facility Inspection (State and Central Only)
For State and Central licenses, an FSSAI-appointed inspector will visit your manufacturing or storage facility. They check for:
Hygiene and cleanliness standards
Proper storage conditions (temperature control, pest management)
Water quality and source
Waste disposal systems
Employee hygiene practices
Labeling compliance on products
Pro tip: If you’re using a contract manufacturer (common for D2C brands), they should already have their own FSSAI license. However, you still need your own license as the brand owner selling the product.
Step 4: Receive Your License and Display It
Once approved, you’ll receive your 14-digit FSSAI license number. This must be displayed on:
Nutritional information — Per 100g/ml and per serving
Allergen declaration — “Contains: milk, nuts” etc.
Veg/Non-veg symbol — Green dot (veg) or brown dot (non-veg)
MRP — Including all taxes
Batch/Lot number — For traceability
Country of origin — If importing
Common mistake: D2C brands that start with handmade/cottage products often have beautiful packaging but non-compliant labels. Get your labels reviewed before printing 5,000 pouches — reprinting costs more than getting it right the first time.
5 FSSAI Mistakes D2C Food Brands Make
1. Operating on Basic Registration When Turnover Exceeds ₹12 Lakh
Many brands start with Basic Registration and forget to upgrade. If your food revenue crosses ₹12 lakh/year and you’re still on Basic, you’re technically operating without proper licensing.
2. Not Including All Product Categories
Your license specifies which food categories you’re authorized to manufacture/sell. If you launch a new product line (say, moving from spices to ready-to-eat meals), you need to amend your license to include the new category.
3. Using the Contract Manufacturer’s License Number
Your contract manufacturer has their own FSSAI license — but that’s for their manufacturing activity. As the brand that’s marketing and selling the product, you need your own separate license.
4. Not Renewing on Time
FSSAI licenses are valid for 1-5 years. Renewal must be filed 30 days before expiry. Late renewal attracts a penalty of ₹100/day. If the license expires completely, you need to re-apply from scratch.
5. Ignoring Annual Return Filing
All State and Central license holders must file an annual return on the FoSCoS portal by 31st May every year. This is separate from GST returns. Non-filing can lead to license suspension.
Special Cases for D2C Food Brands
Health Supplements and Nutraceuticals
If you’re selling protein powders, vitamin supplements, or health drinks, these fall under FSSAI’s Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, and Food for Special Dietary Use regulations. You need additional product approval from FSSAI beyond the standard license. This process takes 3-6 months and requires clinical evidence for any health claims on the label.
Organic Products
To label a product as “organic,” you need certification from one of the accredited certification bodies under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) or the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS-India). FSSAI’s organic food regulations require that any product claiming to be organic must carry valid certification.
Imported Food Products
If you’re importing food ingredients or finished products, you need a Central FSSAI License (regardless of turnover) plus an import license from FSSAI. Each imported shipment needs clearance from FSSAI officials at the port of entry.
Cost Summary: What to Budget for FSSAI Compliance
Item
Cost
Basic Registration (government fee)
₹100/year
State License (government fee)
₹2,000-5,000/year
Consultant/CA for application filing
₹3,000-10,000 (one-time)
Water testing report
₹1,000-3,000
Food safety training (FoSTaC)
₹1,500-3,000 per person
Label design compliance review
₹2,000-5,000
Total for a typical D2C food startup
₹8,000-25,000 (first year)
Compared to the ₹5 lakh penalty for non-compliance, this is a no-brainer investment.
If you’re launching a food brand, get the FSSAI + Shopify wiring done together
Food brands have an extra compliance layer most agencies forget about — FSSAI license number on every invoice, batch tracking, expiry-date display on product pages, and the labelling rules that follow you onto Amazon and Flipkart. We bake all of it into the Shopify build from day one. We’ve done it for 200+ Indian D2C brands. ₹385Cr+ revenue processed. 4.5x average ROI. 98% retention.
The Shopify build is ₹50,000 fixed-price with no AMC — bug fixes for what we ship are included for the lifetime of the store.
