Procedure to Obtain State License to Operate Food Business

Deepti Mudgal

Deepti Mudgal

Published on: Nov 14, 2025

Shreya Jain

Updated on: Nov 14, 2025

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Introduction:

A State FSSAI License is mandatory for food businesses operating within one state or union territory, except those that require a central license. It applies to small and medium-scale food units like dairy, slaughtering, retailers, and caterers based on their capacity and turnover. This license ensures the business follows food safety rules as per the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Applicability Provisions

1. Regulation 2.1.2(4), 2.1.3, 2.1.6, 2.1.7 of Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.
2. Section 31(1), 31(3), 31(4) Proviso, 31(7), 31(9), 31(10) of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Who can Apply?

1. Dairy units, including milk chilling units that are equipped to handle or process milk from 501 litres per day (LPD) to 50,000 LPD or 2.5 million tons (MT) to 2,500 MT of milk solids per annum.
2. Vegetable oil processing units and also units that vegetable oil by the process of solvent extraction and refineries, which include oil expeller unit that produces up to 2 MT per day or have an annual turnover of Rs 12 lakh and above.
3. Slaughtering units that a have a capacity in case of large animals of more than 2 and up to 50; for small animals capacity more than 10 and up to 150 and for poultry birds capacity more than 50 and up to 1000 per day.
4. Meat processing units that have a capacity of upto 500 kg of meat per day or of 150 MT per annum.
5. All food processing units which even includes relabellers and repackers that have a capacity of more than 100 kg per ltr and up to 2 MT per day and includes all grains, pulses and cereals milling units.
6. Storage businesses excluding that which have controlled atmosphere and cold, that have a capacity of up to 50,000 MT. For storage that are cold and refrigerated, the eligibility criteria is a capacity of more than 10,000 MT and for storage that have cold and controlled atmosphere too, the eligibility capacity is more than 10,000 MT.
7. Wholesalers that have an annual turnover of up to 30 crores.
8. Retailers, distributors, suppliers as well as caterers with a turnover of up to 20 crores per annum.
9. Dhaba owners, or owners of other food vending establishments as well as clubs and canteens that have an annual turnover of 12 lakhs.
10. Hotels that have a minimum of 3 star rating and below 5 star.
11. Restaurants that have a turnover of up to Rs 20 crores.
12. Marketers that have a turn over annually of 20 crores.
13. Transporters that have a minimum of 100 vehicles or wagons, or an annual turn over of up to 30 crores.

Mandatory Requirements:

Documents to be enclosed for New Application for License to State Licensing Authority

1. Form-B Duly completed and signed (In Duplicate) by the Proprietor/Partner or the Authorized Signatory
2. Blueprint/layout plan of the processing unit showing the dimensions in metres/square metres and operation-wise area allocation (mandatory for manufacturing and processing units only)
3. Name and List of Equipments and Machinery along with the number, installed capacity and horse power used (mandatory for manufacturing and processing units only)
4. List of food category desired to be manufactured. (In case of manufacturers)
5. Authority letter with name and address of responsible person nominated by the manufacturer along with alternative responsible person indicating the powers vested with them viz assisting the officers in inspections, collection of samples, packing & dispatch. (for manufacturers / processors)
6. Analysis report (Chemical & Bacteriological) of water to be used as ingredient in food from a recognized/ public health laboratory to confirm the portability (mandatory only for manufacturing and processing units only)
7. List of Directors/Partners/Proprietor/Executive Members of Society/Trust with full address and contact details (mandatory for companies only)
8. Photo I.D and address proof issued by Government authority of Proprietor/Partner/Director(s)/Authorised Signatory
9. Proof of possession of premises. (Sale deed/ Rent agreement/ Electricity bill, etc.) (optional)
10. Partnership Deed/Affidavit of Proprietorship /Memorandum & Articles of Association towards the constitution of the firm. (optional) – For MoA – Three pages need to be uploaded (First page – Certification of incorporation, Second page – Authorization of food business activity and Third page – list of directors with addresses)
11. Copy of certificate obtained under Cooperative Act Act – 1861/Multi State Multi-State Cooperative Act – 2002 in case of Cooperatives
12. No Objection Certificate & Copy of License from manufacturer (mandatory for relabellers and repackers only)
13. Food Safety Management System plan or certificate (if any)
14. Source of milk or procurement plan for milk including location of milk collection centres etc. in case of Milk and Milk Products processing units.(wherever applicable)
15. Source of raw material for meat and meat processing plants. (wherever applicable)
16. Pesticide residues report of water in case of units manufacturing packaged drinking water, packaged Mineral water and/or carbonated water from a recognised/ public health laboratory
17. Recall plan wherever applicable, with details on whom the product is distributed
18. NOCs from Municipality or local body
19. Form IX: Nomination of Persons by a Company alongwith the Board Resolution
20. Certificate provided by Ministry of Tourism (HRACC). (Mandatory for Hotel Only)
21. For Transporters-Supporting documentary proof for Turnover or self declaration of number of vehicles. (Mandatory for Transporter Only)
22. Declaration form (In Case of Delhi & Himachal Pradesh)

Process of License:

The Food Business Operator carrying on business, which are not covered under Schedule 1 (List of Food Business falling under the purview of Central Licensing Authority), shall make an application in Form B to the State or Union Territories Food Licensing Authority accompanied by a self-attested declaration as specified under Annexure 1 (Declaration), documents mentioned in Revised list of Documents Required to be Submitted along with the Application for FSSAI License and Clarification on the requirement of document for Proof of Premises for the purpose of making licensing application through FoSCoS, with the fees as specified under Schedule 3 (Fees for Application).

Process for Renewal:

The Person shall obtain renewal of license by making an application in Form B within 30 days prior to the expiry date mentioned in license.

Validity:

FSSAI State License is valid for 1 to 5 years, a period chosen by the Food Business Operator (FBO) at the time of application.