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Tue, Aug 25 2026
Raju Karn
Starting a restaurant goes beyond selecting a venue, designing the menu, and recruiting kitchen personnel. Safety of the food served is one of the significant legal aspects that need to be taken care of. Each food business needs to comply with all relevant provisions of the food safety regime in India. For restaurants, it means getting themselves registered/licensed with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
The procedure to obtain such an FSSAI license for restaurant is now done online through the FoSCoS portal of the FSSAI. It is stated on the website of the FSSAI that ‘Licensing/Registration of Food Businesses is mandatory as per Section 31 of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.’
This guideline provides details about the process, documents, cost, eligibility criteria, and compliances required for restaurants.
An FSSAI license for restaurant is an official certification that permits an eligible food business to legally operate under the food safety regulations of India. This certifies the identity of the food business operator and the type of food operations conducted by the entity.
In the case of restaurants, the category is generally 'Restaurant' under FoSCoS Kind of Business (KoB). The requirement of FSSAI Registration for Restaurant will depend upon the annual turnover of the restaurant.
These regulations were amended in 2026. Effective 1 April 2026, there will be a significant change in the turnover limits for restaurants. As per the revised FoSCoS eligibility criteria:
The equivalent annual charge payable to the government according to FoSCoS is ₹100 for Registration, ₹5,000 for State License and ₹7,500 for Central License.
It is important to note this new threshold since many online sources still refer to the previous thresholds of ₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore.
Having an FSSAI license for restaurant indicates that the restaurant conforms with the nation’s food safety regime. The extent of the system illustrates how common it is to get registered with food safety regulations in India. According to the Annual Report of FSSAI 2025–26, there are over 25 lakh licenses, 50.1 lakh registrations, and 3 lakh inspections on the website of FSSAI.
FSSAI also offers the licensing process, inspection process, hygiene rating, food safety display boards, and Food Safety Supervisor Training program.
The category should be selected by the restaurant depending on its current turnover.
If restaurants have an annual turnover of up to ₹1.5 crore, then they will come under Registration in the revised 2026 FoSCoS guidelines. Government charges in such a case is ₹100 per year.
Such a category is applicable to restaurants and food service companies which operate with lesser annual turnover than the revised limit.
Annual turnover of above ₹1.5 crore but up to ₹50 crore needs a State Licence. Government charges in such a case are ₹5,000 per year.
It is a common category for already established restaurants with a higher number of customers and annual turnover.
Restaurants having an annual turnover above ₹50 crore require a Central Licence. Government charges in such a case are ₹7,500 per year. Restaurants should also check whether other business activities create additional licensing requirements. For example, operations involving multiple food business activities or locations may require a different compliance structure.
The exact documents can vary according to the type of food business, licence category, and state. FSSAI's FoSCoS portal provides separate document requirements for new registrations and licences.
Common FSSAI license documents and information may include:
Restaurants should check the current FoSCoS document list before submitting the application because requirements can differ based on the selected type of business.
The FSSAI registration online process is completed through FoSCoS. FSSAI identifies FoSCoS as its food safety compliance system for licensing and registration.
The restaurant owner or authorised applicant should access the official FoSCoS portal and select the option for a new licence or registration.
Official FoSCoS Portal
FSSAI has previously warned food businesses about unofficial websites claiming to provide FSSAI licensing services. Applications and payments should therefore be handled through the official portal.
The individual will need to choose the state in which the restaurant is located and select the Type of Business. For a normal restaurant, the category selected will be Restaurant. The turnover will then be evaluated using the existing eligibility criteria.
The classification of the business entity is done based on the turnover. The guidelines since April 2026 have changed, and hence, restaurant owners must ensure not follow outdated guidelines where the limit was set at ₹12 lakh.
This will include the provision of the required information regarding the business, owner, authorised person, and food. This depends on the nature of approval and will require the filling of the appropriate application forms.
It is important to be accurate when providing these details because any inaccuracy may cause inquiries and even delays or revisions.
The required documents need to be uploaded in the specified manner. FSSAI offers separate document guidelines for new registrations or license applications.
The applicability of the government fee varies depending upon the category. For restaurants according to the updated standards of 2026, FoSCoS specifies the fees of Rs 100 for Registration, Rs 5,000 for State License, and Rs 7,500 for Central License.
Once the application is submitted, one can track it via FoSCoS. In case there is any requirement for additional information or documents from the applicant side, one needs to respond accordingly.
FSSAI offers online services for application, tracking, renewal, and modification of FSSAI license registration.
Obtaining the certification does not mean that the compliance process ends. The restaurant will still have to comply with hygiene, sanitation, food handling, and other relevant requirements.
The requirements for Food Safety and Hygiene as provided by FSSAI via FoSCoS include the following:
Restaurants should follow suitable practices for:
The storage of raw materials and cooked foods should be such that they are not contaminated and spoiled. The refrigerated items should be maintained at the proper temperature.
The areas where food is to be prepared, the utensils, equipment, and surfaces should be clean. A cleaning schedule will help in maintaining consistent standards.
Proper personal hygiene and safe handling of food should be maintained by kitchen workers. FSSAI also encourages FoSTaC training and Food Safety Supervisor programs for food businesses.
Restaurants should maintain proper pest control and proper waste disposal systems. The improper management of waste may pose contamination risks.
Purchase records, cleaning schedule, temperature records, training records, and other relevant food safety documentation should be maintained.
Several errors can make the licensing process unnecessarily difficult.
An FSSAI license verification is helpful when checking the status or the details associated with a food business. FoSCoS has facilities for conducting a search on a food business and license or registration-related services.
It is important to have a copy of the certificate and ensure that the displayed information remains up to date. Any changes in business information would entail changing the registration/license.
The FSSAI approval must stay valid for the restaurant to run legally. The restaurant needs to be aware of its expiration date and apply for the FSSAI renewal in time.
FoSCoS offers an online FSSAI license renewal service, along with the application and modification services. The restaurant will have to check the license details when there are any major changes in turnover or activities related to the restaurant.
Starting a restaurant in India? Let our experts help you with FSSAI registration, documentation, application, and compliance.
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The first step towards compliance for any restaurant in India would be to obtain an FSSAI license for restaurant. While the process has become easier due to the introduction of FoSCoS, choosing the right category and maintaining compliance is still important.
The new turnover limits have made it necessary for restaurants to have updated information before applying for FSSAI licenses. The type of business, turnover limits, documents required, and fees need to be verified by restaurants before applying.
For help with food safety, licensing requirements, and other regulatory compliance, restaurants can rely on PSR Compliance for a structured approach towards compliance. Professional help will not only minimize any mistakes, but will also ensure that food businesses are prepared for regulatory compliance requirements.
Yes. FSSAI license for restaurant is compulsory under Section 31 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The type of category would depend upon the turnover and circumstances of the business.
As per the revised criterion applicable as of 1 April 2026, restaurants with turnover below ₹1.5 Crore would be required to get Registration, turnover above ₹1.5 Crore but below ₹50 Crore a State License, and turnover above ₹50 Crore a Central License.
The updated table for eligibility of FoSCoS for the Restaurant category provides that the FSSAI License Cost is ₹100, State License ₹5000, and Central License ₹7500.
Yes. Applications are done using the FoSCoS portal, which is an online facility that allows for registrations and licences, tracking, renewal, and amendment.
Yes. Getting the FSSAI license for restaurant does not exempt the restaurant from its food safety obligations.
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PSR Assistant