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FSSAI Licence for Food Manufacturers in India

Complianceer Team · Sep 4, 2026 · 5 min read

FSSAI licence for food manufacturers in 2026: State vs Central, proprietary food and nutraceutical rules, layout, FSMS, water test, inspection and annual return.

Quick answer: Food manufacturers need FSSAI registration or a licence based on turnover and product type. From 1 April 2026, units with turnover up to ₹1.5 crore need Basic Registration, ₹1.5 crore to ₹50 crore need a State Licence, and above ₹50 crore need a Central Licence. Proprietary foods, health supplements, nutraceuticals and 100% export-oriented units need a Central Licence regardless of turnover. Licensed manufacturers must file Form D-1 every year by 31 May.

Manufacturing carries more FSSAI obligations than any other food activity: plant layout, water quality, FSMS, product standards, labelling and annual returns. Getting the licence right at the start avoids reapplying when you scale or add new products.

Which category applies

The FoSCoS Kind of Business schedule revised on 31 March 2026 applies the ₹1.5 crore and ₹50 crore bands to dairy, vegetable oil, meat, fish and general manufacturing units. Check your exact KoB on the FoSCoS eligibility tool.

Contract manufacturing, repacking and relabelling

• Contract manufacturer: holds a licence for the plant and the products it makes.
• Brand owner or relabeller: gets products made by a third party and needs its own licence as a relabeller or marketer.
• Repacker: repacks bulk food into smaller packs without changing it, and needs a licence for that activity.

Labels must show the brand owner's FSSAI logo and number and, if different, the manufacturer's or packer's licence number.

Documents for a manufacturing licence

• Constitution documents and list of directors or partners with ID
• Form IX nomination with board resolution
• Premises proof for the plant
• Layout plan showing processing areas, flow and dimensions
• List of equipment and machinery with capacity
• List of food categories and products
• Water test report from a recognised lab where water is used
• FSMS plan, ideally backed by HACCP or ISO 22000
• Source of raw material for dairy and meat units
• Recall plan and NOCs where your state or KoB requires them

See the documents checklist for the full list by category.

Licensing process

1. Map every product to its FSSAI category and check if any needs product approval.
2. Confirm the licence tier on FoSCoS.
3. Prepare the layout, equipment list, FSMS plan and water test.
4. File Form B on FoSCoS and pay the fee.
5. Prepare for inspection of the premises, records and hygiene.
6. Respond to queries and correct any gaps found in inspection.
7. Receive the licence, update labels and start production.

Licences are generally decided within 60 days. Under Section 31(4), if no decision is made within two months, the applicant may start business, but plan for the full process.

Plant hygiene and FSMS

Schedule 4 of the Licensing Regulations lays down hygiene and sanitation requirements for manufacturers, including:

• Premises design that prevents contamination, with separate raw and finished areas
• Potable water tested at set intervals
• Cleaning and sanitation schedules with records
• Pest control by a recognised agency
• Medical fitness and hygiene training for food handlers
• Traceability and recall procedures
• At least one FoSTaC-trained Food Safety Supervisor

Certifications such as HACCP and ISO 22000 strengthen your FSMS and help with buyer audits.

Ongoing obligations

• File the annual return in Form D-1 by 31 May, and Form D-2 half-yearly for dairy; see the annual return guide
• Pay the annual licence fee under perpetual validity
• Keep products within FSSAI standards and test them periodically
• Keep labels compliant with the Labelling and Display Regulations
• File a modification before adding products or capacity
• Apply for food product approval for non-specified foods

Common mistakes

• Applying for a State Licence for a nutraceutical or proprietary food
• Launching a non-specified product without product approval
• Layout plan that does not match the actual plant
• Missing water test or FSMS plan
• Brand owner relying only on the contract manufacturer's licence
• Missing Form D-1 and paying ₹100 per day in penalties

Frequently asked questions

Which FSSAI licence does a food manufacturer need?

Manufacturers need Basic Registration up to ₹1.5 crore turnover, a State Licence from ₹1.5 crore to ₹50 crore, and a Central Licence above ₹50 crore. Some product types need a Central Licence at any turnover.

Do nutraceutical manufacturers need a Central Licence?

Yes. Health supplements, nutraceuticals and foods for special dietary use need a Central Licence regardless of turnover, as per the FoSCoS Kind of Business schedule.

Is a water test report mandatory for food manufacturers?

It is usually required where water is used as an ingredient or in processing. The report must come from an NABL-accredited or FSSAI-recognised lab.

Do food manufacturers need to file annual returns?

Yes. Licensed manufacturers, repackers and relabellers must file Form D-1 by 31 May each year. Dairy manufacturers also file half-yearly Form D-2.

Does a brand owner need its own FSSAI licence?

Yes. A brand owner that gets products made by a contract manufacturer needs its own licence as a relabeller or marketer.

Will FSSAI inspect my factory before granting a licence?

Inspection is common for manufacturing units, especially for State and Central licences. Keep the premises, records and hygiene systems ready.

How long does an FSSAI manufacturing licence take?

Licences are generally decided within 60 days, depending on document completeness, queries and inspection scheduling.

Official sources

• FoSCoS Kind of Business eligibility (revised 31 March 2026)
• FoSCoS Central Licence document requirements
• FoSCoS State Licence document requirements
• Licensing and Registration Regulations compendium
• FSSAI advisory on annual return submission, April 2024