What is FSSAI Registration and Who Needs It? 

Food safety is one of the most important responsibilities for any food business in India. Whether someone runs a small home kitchen, a restaurant, a cloud kitchen, or works in a large manufacturing unit, every business must follow the standards laid down by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

This learning guide explains What is FSSAI Registration and Who Needs It? in a simple and clear way. Students of Certified Corporate Accounting, SAP FICO (Finance & Controlling), and Taxation (Income Tax & GST) will find this especially useful, as FSSAI compliance is a key part of business operations and regulatory learning.

1. What is FSSAI Registration? (Simple Explanation)

FSSAI Registration is an official approval given by FSSAI that allows a food business to operate legally. The authority issues a 14-digit registration or license number, which must be printed on food packets or displayed at the business location.

This registration ensures that the business:

✔ Follows hygiene and safety standards
✔ Provides clean and safe food
✔ Operates legally under food safety laws

For students learning about compliance in Certified Corporate Accounting or Finance & Controlling (SAP FICO), FSSAI registration is an important example of how regulatory frameworks affect real-world business operations.

2. Food Business Operators (FBOs) Who Require FSSAI Registration

Anyone involved in handling, preparing, transporting, storing, distributing, or selling food is considered an FBO (Food Business Operator) and needs FSSAI approval.

Here are some Food Business Operators (FBOs) who require FSSAI Registration:

• Home kitchens, home bakers, tiffin services

• Tea/juice stalls, street vendors

• Restaurants, cafés, dhabas, hotels

• Cloud kitchens and Swiggy/Zomato sellers

• Food manufacturers, packers, processors

• Transport vehicles carrying food

• Storage warehouses and cold storages

• Supermarkets and retail shops

• Online food businesses

In Taxation (Income Tax & GST), food businesses often need both GST registration and FSSAI registration to operate legally and maintain compliance.

3. Types of FSSAI Registration (Easy Breakdown)

There are three main Types of FSSAI Registration, based on turnover and business scale:

1. Basic Registration

✔ For very small businesses
✔ Turnover: Up to ₹12 lakh
Suitable for:

• Home food businesses

• Small sellers and street vendors

2. State License

✔ For medium-sized businesses
✔ Turnover: ₹12 lakh – ₹20 crore
Suitable for:

• Restaurants

• Medium manufacturing units

3. Central License

✔ For large businesses
✔ Turnover: Above ₹20 crore
Suitable for:

• Importers and exporters

• Businesses operating in multiple states

• Large manufacturing units

Understanding the license type helps in business planning, costing, and compliance—concepts commonly covered in SAP FICO (Finance & Controlling).

4. FSSAI Registration Eligibility

Here's a simple way to remember FSSAI Registration Eligibility:

Basic Registration Eligibility

• Small-scale food businesses

• Home-based sellers

• Local shops and small manufacturers

State License Eligibility

• Restaurants

• Mid-size manufacturers

• Catering units

• Hotels up to 4-star

Central License Eligibility

• Import/export food businesses

• 5-star hotels

• Large factories

• E-commerce food sellers

5. Procedure for Obtaining FSSAI Registration Online (Step-by-Step)

Here is the Procedure for Obtaining FSSAI Registration Online, taught in many Certified Corporate Accounting courses because it involves documentation, compliance, and online government portals.

Step 1: Visit the FoSCoS Portal

Select “Apply for New Registration/License.”

Step 2: Choose Registration Type

Select Basic, State, or Central based on turnover and business category.

Step 3: Fill Application Form

• Form A for Basic Registration

• Form B for State/Central License

Step 4: Upload Documents

You’ll need:

• Photo ID

• Address proof

• Business details

• Food safety management plan

Step 5: Pay the Fees

Step 6: Business Inspection (if needed)

Step 7: Receive FSSAI Certificate

The business gets a 14-digit FSSAI number, which must be used everywhere.

This step-by-step approach helps students understand how compliance reporting works in various real-world scenarios, including those taught in Taxation (Income Tax & GST).

6. Checking FSSAI Registration Status

After applying, you can track your FSSAI Registration Status online using your reference number.
The status may show:

• Approved

• Pending clarification

• Under inspection

• Rejected

Tracking status is an important part of compliance monitoring—valuable knowledge for students in accounting and finance domains.

7. Benefits of Procuring FSSAI Food License

Here are the major Benefits of Procuring FSSAI Food License:

✔ Builds customer trust and confidence
✔ Ensures legal protection
✔ Helps list your food business on Swiggy/Zomato
✔ Supports brand reputation
✔ Helps expand business across states
✔ Ensures compliance and avoids penalties
✔ Improves food quality and hygiene

Companies with proper compliance records often perform better financially, which is a key learning point in SAP FICO (Finance & Controlling) and corporate accounting.

8. FSSAI License for Cloud Kitchen

Cloud kitchens have gained massive popularity, and they must have FSSAI Registration even if they operate from home.

Eligibility for Cloud Kitchens

• Small cloud kitchens → Basic Registration

• Medium-scale → State License

• Multi-city kitchens → Central License

Platforms like Swiggy and Zomato do not allow onboarding without an FSSAI number.

9. Consequences of Non-Compliance

Non-compliance with FSSAI regulations can lead to:

❌ Penalty up to ₹5 lakh
❌ Business shutdown
❌ Food seizure
❌ Cancellation of license
❌ Loss of customers
❌ Inability to list on delivery platforms

Understanding penalties helps students of Taxation (Income Tax & GST) learn how regulatory violations affect business operations.

Conclusion:
FSSAI registration is essential for every food business in India, regardless of its size or nature of operations. It ensures that food is safe, hygienic, and compliant with government standards. Understanding the types of registrations, eligibility, and online procedures helps businesses stay legally protected while building customer trust. For learners studying areas like Certified Corporate Accounting, SAP FICO (Finance & Controlling), or Taxation (Income Tax & GST), FSSAI compliance is a practical example of how regulatory frameworks impact business operations. In short, FSSAI registration is not just a legal requirement—it's a crucial step toward building a trustworthy and responsible food business.