What changed for FSSAI licensing in 2026
The Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Amendment Regulations, 2026, notified in March 2026, made two changes that affect almost every food business in Gurugram:
- Higher turnover limits for each category, applied from 1 April 2026. Many businesses that needed a State licence earlier now fall under basic registration, and many Central licence holders now fall under a State licence.
- No fixed-term validity. A registration or licence now continues until it is suspended, cancelled or surrendered, but the annual fee and applicable returns must be kept up to date. Missing them can lead to suspension, and operating while suspended is treated as operating without a licence.
If your turnover now places you in a different category, the change is made through a modification or a fresh application on FoSCoS, and the new number must then be updated on labels, invoices and listings. We review your existing licence and tell you whether any change is needed.
Which FSSAI category applies to you?
| Category | Annual turnover (from 1 April 2026) | Typical businesses |
|---|---|---|
| Basic registration | Up to Rs 1.5 crore | Home kitchens, small restaurants, tea stalls, small retailers, small online food sellers |
| State licence | Above Rs 1.5 crore up to Rs 50 crore | Mid-size restaurants, manufacturers, distributors, caterers, larger cloud kitchens |
| Central licence | Above Rs 50 crore, and specified activities regardless of turnover | Importers, e-commerce food platforms, large manufacturers, some multi-state operations |
Turnover is not the only test. The type of food, the activity (manufacturing, storage, trade, catering, import) and the location of premises also matter. A wrong category can mean a rejected application or a licence that does not cover what you actually do.
Documents required
| Requirement | Basic registration | State / Central licence |
|---|---|---|
| Photo ID and photograph of applicant | Yes | Yes |
| Premises proof (rent agreement, electricity bill, ownership document) | Yes | Yes |
| List of food categories and products | Yes | Yes |
| Constitution proof (partnership deed, incorporation certificate, MOA/AOA) | If not a proprietorship | Yes |
| Layout plan of the processing or kitchen area | No | Yes, for manufacturers and large kitchens |
| List of equipment and machinery | No | Yes, for manufacturers |
| Water analysis report from a recognised lab | No | Yes, where water is used as an ingredient |
| Food Safety Management System plan | No | Yes |
| Authority letter / board resolution for the signatory | If applicable | Yes |
| Import Export Code | No | Yes, for importers |
We send a checklist that matches your category on WhatsApp after a short call, so you collect only what is needed.
FSSAI application process on FoSCoS
- Category and activity check. We confirm turnover, activity and food categories so that the application is filed under the right kind of business.
- Online application. The application is filed on the FSSAI FoSCoS portal (Form A for basic registration, Form B for a State or Central licence) with documents uploaded and the government fee paid online.
- Scrutiny and queries. The registering or licensing authority may raise queries. We prepare and submit the reply within the time allowed.
- Inspection, where applicable. For licences, the designated Food Safety Officer for Gurugram district may inspect the premises before grant. Keep the kitchen or unit clean, with pest control and water records available.
- Grant. The registration certificate or licence with a 14-digit number is issued on FoSCoS. We share it with a list of display and labelling requirements.
After you get the FSSAI number
- Display the registration certificate or licence at a visible place in the premises.
- Print the FSSAI logo and number on food labels where labelling rules apply, and show the number on invoices and cash memos.
- Pay the annual fee on FoSCoS on time. The fee can generally be paid for several years in advance.
- File returns that apply to your licence, such as the annual return in Form D-1 for manufacturers, importers, labellers and re-packers.
- Update the licence through a modification application if you add products, change the address, change partners or directors, or cross into another turnover category.
- Train staff. Licensed food businesses are expected to have trained food safety supervisors under the FoSTaC programme.
- Intimate closure. If you stop the business, the licence must be surrendered and the authority informed in writing within the prescribed time.
Selling food online and through delivery apps
Food delivery and quick-commerce platforms check the FSSAI number before they list a kitchen or seller, and the number must appear on the listing and invoices. FSSAI has also asked e-commerce food businesses to disclose warehouses and storage units on FoSCoS and to keep food handlers trained.
If you sell packaged food on marketplaces, labelling, date marking and the FSSAI number all matter, and the marketplace will usually also ask for a GSTIN. Our e-commerce seller GST service and GST registration service can be done together with the food registration.
Common mistakes that delay FSSAI applications
- Choosing a category that does not match turnover or activity.
- Kitchen or unit address that does not match the uploaded proof.
- Missing product categories, so the licence does not cover items actually sold.
- Late or missing replies to the officer’s queries.
- Not upgrading after the business grows into the next category.
- Ignoring the annual fee or return reminders, leading to suspension.
How KSV helps food businesses in Gurugram
We work with home bakers, cloud kitchens, restaurants and food manufacturers across Gurugram, including Sohna Road, Sector 14, Udyog Vihar and IMT Manesar. The same team can also handle your Shop Act registration, Udyam registration and monthly GST returns. Fees depend on the category and work involved; see pricing or contact us on WhatsApp at +91 88606 30505.
Frequently asked questions
Which FSSAI category applies to my business after the 2026 change?
From 1 April 2026, food businesses with annual turnover up to Rs 1.5 crore generally need basic registration, those above Rs 1.5 crore and up to Rs 50 crore need a State licence, and those above Rs 50 crore need a Central licence. Certain activities, such as import, e-commerce operators and some operations in multiple states, need a Central licence regardless of turnover. We confirm the category from your actual activity before filing.
Do I need FSSAI registration for a home kitchen or home bakery?
Yes. Anyone who manufactures, sells or serves food as a business, including home bakers, tiffin services and cloud kitchens run from home, needs at least a basic registration. The kitchen address you declare must match the address proof you upload.
Do I have to renew my FSSAI licence every few years?
The 2026 amendment to the licensing regulations moved licences and registrations away from fixed-term validity, so they continue until suspended, cancelled or surrendered. However, the annual fee must be paid and applicable returns filed on time, or the licence can be suspended. Older licences should be checked on FoSCoS for their current status.
Who has to file the FSSAI annual return?
Licensed manufacturers, importers, labellers and re-packers generally file the annual return in Form D-1, ordinarily by 31 May for the previous financial year, and milk and milk product manufacturers also file half-yearly returns. Basic registration holders and most traders, retailers and restaurants do not file Form D-1. We check whether it applies to your licence category and activity.
Can Swiggy, Zomato or Blinkit list my kitchen without FSSAI?
No. Food delivery and quick-commerce platforms ask for a valid FSSAI number before onboarding, and the number must appear on the listing, menu and invoices. Selling online without it can lead to delisting and penalties.
What documents are needed for basic registration?
A photograph and ID proof of the proprietor or authorised person, proof of the premises (rent agreement, electricity bill or ownership document), and a list of the food items you will make or sell. A State or Central licence needs more, such as a layout plan, a list of equipment, water testing reports for manufacturers and a food safety management plan.
How long does FSSAI registration take in Gurugram?
A complete basic registration is usually decided within a few weeks. A State licence may involve an inspection by the Food Safety Officer of the Gurugram district before it is granted, so it takes longer. Timelines depend on the officer's queries and how quickly they are answered.
I have one kitchen and also sell through a website. Do I need two licences?
Usually one licence or registration per premises is enough, covering the activities carried on there, provided your total turnover and activities fit that category. If you have kitchens or warehouses in more than one place, each premises needs its own registration or licence.
Kya FSSAI number packaging aur bill dono par chahiye?
Haan. The FSSAI logo and the 14-digit number must be printed on food labels where labelling applies, and the number must also be shown on invoices, cash memos and receipts, and displayed at the premises.
What is the FSSAI Hygiene Rating?
It is an FSSAI scheme for food service businesses such as restaurants, cafes, sweet shops and cloud kitchens, under which an FSSAI-recognised hygiene rating audit agency inspects the premises and awards a rating. It is useful for customer trust and is increasingly shown on delivery apps. We can help you prepare your records before the audit.