FSSAI registration is mandatory for any food-related business: restaurants, cloud kitchens, packaged food sellers, dairy, beverage, supplements, even home-baked goods sold commercially. Three categories: Basic (turnover under ₹12L), State License (₹12L–20Cr), Central License (above ₹20Cr or import/export).
The FSSAI license number must appear on packaging, restaurant signage, online listings (Swiggy, Zomato require it), and ecom product pages. Marketplaces will not list food sellers without it. Penalty for non-licensed operation: up to ₹5L plus business closure.
Renewals are 1, 2, or 5 years. Most SMBs forget the renewal date and find their license expired during a Swiggy/Zomato compliance check, leading to listing suspension.