The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued Order No. RCD-01002/1/2021-Regulatory-FSSAI-Part(1) [Comp. No. 4550] dated 13 March 2026, implementing revised turnover thresholds for the categorisation of food businesses as Registration, State License, or Central License holders. The new thresholds take effect from 1 April 2026 and supersede all previous orders on the subject. If your business handles food in any capacity — manufacturing, trading, importing, distributing, or catering — this change applies to you.
Registration: Annual turnover up to ₹1.5 crore (revised from ₹12 lakh)
State License: Annual turnover above ₹1.5 crore and up to ₹50 crore
Central License: Annual turnover above ₹50 crore
Key new feature: All FSSAI registrations and licenses now carry perpetual validity, subject to risk-based inspections — no more fixed-term renewals.
The Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011 have governed the licensing and registration of Food Business Operators (FBOs) across India since their notification under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Over the years, the original turnover thresholds became severely outdated — the economy had grown, inflation had eroded the real value of rupee thresholds, and the existing limits no longer reflected the actual size of businesses.
NITI Aayog's High Level Committee on Non-Financial Regulatory Reforms recommended a comprehensive revision. Following approval by the Food Authority and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, FSSAI notified the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Amendment Regulations, 2026 via Gazette Notification No. RCD-01002/1/2021-Regulatory-FSSAI-Part(1) dated 10 March 2026. The Order of 13 March 2026 now implements the revised thresholds flowing from that Gazette notification.
The registration and licensing thresholds have been revised upward significantly, reflecting economic realities. Critically, FSSAI registration and licenses now carry perpetual validity — subject to risk-based inspections — replacing the previous fixed-term renewal system.
As per the Order dated 13 March 2026, the Food Authority has implemented the following revised turnover thresholds for food businesses:
| Type of Authorisation | Annual Turnover Threshold | Issuing Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | Turnover up to ₹1.5 crore | Designated Officer (State/UT) |
| State License | Turnover above ₹1.5 crore and up to ₹50 crore | State / UT Food Safety Authority |
| Central License | Turnover above ₹50 crore | Central Licensing Authority (FSSAI, Delhi) |
These revised thresholds come into effect from 1 April 2026. Food businesses whose turnover now falls in a different category must initiate the appropriate upgrade or downgrade of their authorisation before this date.
The revision represents a dramatic upward shift in all three threshold categories. Here is the comparison between the previous thresholds under the 2011 Regulations and the new thresholds effective 1 April 2026:
| Category | Old Threshold (2011 Regulations) | New Threshold (Effective 1 April 2026) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registration | Turnover up to ₹12 lakh | Turnover up to ₹1.5 crore | 12.5× increase |
| State License | ₹12 lakh to ₹20 crore | ₹1.5 crore to ₹50 crore | Significantly expanded |
| Central License | Above ₹20 crore | Above ₹50 crore | 2.5× threshold increase |
The most dramatic impact is on the Registration threshold — businesses turning over up to ₹1.5 crore (up from ₹12 lakh) will now only require a Registration, not a State License. This will significantly reduce the compliance burden for a large segment of small and medium food businesses across India.
One of the most significant changes in the Amendment Regulations, 2026 is the introduction of perpetual validity for FSSAI registrations and licenses. Unlike the earlier system where licenses had to be renewed every 1 to 5 years, the new framework grants perpetual validity — meaning your FSSAI authorisation does not expire as long as you remain compliant.
The phrase "subject to risk-based inspections" is critical. FSSAI will now categorise food businesses by risk profile — high risk (dairy, meat, ready-to-eat, infant food), medium risk (edible oils, packaged foods), and low risk (grain trading, simple food items). Higher-risk businesses will be inspected more frequently. Non-compliance found during inspection can result in suspension or cancellation of the perpetually valid registration/license.
Perpetual validity eliminates the annual burden of renewal fees, paperwork, and the risk of inadvertent expiry. However, it does not mean FSSAI compliance can be relaxed — inspections will continue and the standards remain the same.
The Amendment Regulations, 2026 also specifically address the issue of dual compliance requirements for street food vendors. Previously, street food vendors often faced ambiguity about whether they needed both a municipal/local body registration and an FSSAI registration, leading to harassment and confusion. The new regulations provide specific provisions to address this overlap, reducing the compliance burden for this large and economically important segment.
Under the revised framework, street food vendors with turnover up to ₹1.5 crore will be eligible for simple Registration (the lowest category), and the regulatory requirements for this category are streamlined to reflect the nature and scale of their operations.
The revised thresholds will affect food businesses in three ways depending on their current turnover and existing authorisation category:
If your business currently holds a State License (turnover ₹12 lakh–₹20 crore range under old rules) but your turnover now exceeds ₹50 crore, you must apply for a Central License before 1 April 2026. Similarly, if you held a Registration but your turnover now exceeds ₹1.5 crore, you must upgrade to a State License.
If you currently hold a State License but your annual turnover is below ₹1.5 crore, you now only need a Registration. You can apply to downgrade your authorisation, which will reduce your compliance obligations and fees. Similarly, Central License holders whose turnover is between ₹1.5 crore and ₹50 crore can apply for a State License instead.
New food businesses applying for FSSAI authorisation from 1 April 2026 onwards will apply under the new thresholds directly. The category of authorisation to apply for will be determined by projected or actual annual turnover.
| Your Current Situation | Your Action Required | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Registration holder with turnover now > ₹1.5 Cr | Apply for State License | Before 1 April 2026 |
| State License holder with turnover now > ₹50 Cr | Apply for Central License | Before 1 April 2026 |
| State License holder with turnover < ₹1.5 Cr | Can apply to downgrade to Registration | After 1 April 2026 |
| Central License holder with turnover ₹1.5–50 Cr | Can apply to downgrade to State License | After 1 April 2026 |
| New food business | Apply under new thresholds directly | Ongoing from 1 April 2026 |
This Order (Comp. No. 4550 dated 13 March 2026) supersedes all other earlier orders and regulations with respect to turnover thresholds or criteria specified under the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011. The legal basis is the FSSAI Amendment Regulations, 2026 notified vide Gazette Notification dated 10 March 2026. For the official notification, visit fssai.gov.in.
From 1 April 2026, food businesses with annual turnover up to ₹1.5 crore require only an FSSAI Registration — a major upward revision from the previous limit of ₹12 lakh. This removes the State License burden from a large number of small food businesses across India.
No. The FSSAI Amendment Regulations 2026 introduce perpetual validity for all FSSAI registrations and licenses — there is no more fixed-term expiry or renewal requirement. However, perpetual validity is subject to risk-based inspections; non-compliance found during an inspection can result in suspension or cancellation.
Yes. If your annual turnover has crossed ₹1.5 crore, you must upgrade from FSSAI Registration to a State License before 1 April 2026. Apply through the FoSCoS portal. Processing typically takes 30–60 days, so initiate immediately.
The revised thresholds flow from the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Amendment Regulations, 2026, notified via Gazette Notification No. RCD-01002/1/2021-Regulatory-FSSAI-Part(1) dated 10 March 2026. The implementing Order (Comp. No. 4550) was issued on 13 March 2026 with effect from 1 April 2026.
Yes. If your annual turnover is genuinely below ₹1.5 crore, you are eligible to apply for downgrade to an FSSAI Registration after 1 April 2026. This reduces compliance obligations and fees. Apply through the FoSCoS portal with supporting financial documents such as audited accounts or ITR.
Our team at Shahi & Co. assists food businesses — restaurants, manufacturers, traders, importers, and caterers — with FSSAI registration, license upgrades, and annual compliance reviews. We also integrate FSSAI compliance into your broader corporate compliance and direct tax advisory. Reach out for a confidential consultation.
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