FSSAI is only the start. Here are the 20 bodies around a food business in India — what each one does, when you’ll deal with it, and where we can help. Pick your business to see only what applies.
Showing all 20 authorities.
Food Safety and Standards Authority of IndiaFoSCoSCommissioner of Food Safety
FSSAI-notified, NABL-accredited food laboratoriesFoSTaC training partnersFSSAI-recognised auditing agenciesLegal Metrology DepartmentCPCB
APEDA and the Export Inspection CouncilCommodity boards
Bureau of Indian StandardsCDSCO and State drug controllersMinistry of AYUSH and State AYUSH licensingLogos are shown only to identify each body and remain the property of their owners. FoodRaksha is an independent consultancy and is not endorsed by, accredited by or affiliated with any of these authorities.
Trade or health licences, signage and, for eating houses and factories, fire safety clearance. Requirements differ from city to city.
For you: Most restaurants, shops and factories need something local on top of FSSAI. We check what your city asks for — it is not set by FSSAI.
Grants consent for manufacturing units under the Water and Air Acts, depending on the activity and its category.
For you: Food manufacturers usually need consent before they start production.
Sets the food standards, labelling, hygiene and licensing rules under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, and grants Central Licences through its Central Licensing Authority.
For you: Every food business follows FSSAI’s rules. Central Licence holders — above ₹50 crore, importers, exporters, e-commerce, nutraceuticals — are licensed by FSSAI directly.
Where every registration, licence, modification, annual fee, return and surrender is filed and tracked.
For you: Your application, your annual fee and your returns all live on your own FoSCoS login. Never pay a government fee anywhere else.
Heads food safety in the State. State Licences are granted by the Designated Officers under the Commissioner; registrations by the local registering authority.
For you: Businesses up to ₹50 crore (outside the Central-only categories) are registered or licensed at State level.
Food Safety Officers inspect premises and draw samples; the Designated Officer grants, suspends and cancels licences and issues improvement notices (FSS Act s.32).
For you: The people who walk into your premises. Inspection frequency is now risk-based (reg. 2.1.17).
Test products and water. NABL accredits laboratories; FSSAI notifies which of them may test food — 166 labs on its list of 16.04.2026.
For you: Licensed manufacturers and importers test at least once in six months (a condition of licence); kitchens and factories test water under FSMS guidance. The lab bills you directly.
Train and certify food safety supervisors under FSSAI’s FoSTaC programme.
For you: One trained supervisor for every 25 food handlers, at all times (order 02.11.2017).
Carry out third-party food safety audits and hygiene-rating audits.
For you: Central-licensed manufacturers in high-risk categories need a yearly third-party audit; hygiene rating is voluntary for food service.
A separate law from FSSAI: registers packers and importers of pre-packed goods and verifies weighing instruments; checks net quantity, MRP and date declarations.
For you: Anyone who pre-packs registers within 90 days (rule 27). Shops and factories using scales get them verified.
Runs Extended Producer Responsibility for plastic packaging under the Plastic Waste Management Rules.
For you: Brand owners and importers using plastic packaging register on the EPR portal and file an annual return (30 June).
Penalties under the Act are decided by an Adjudicating Officer (FSS Act s.68); appeals go to the Food Safety Appellate Tribunal (s.70), then the High Court.
For you: Where a penalty case goes after a notice or a failed sample. The officer weighs gain, harm and repetition (s.49).
FSSAI’s Authorised Officers at points of entry inspect, sample and issue the No Objection Certificate before customs releases food.
For you: Every food consignment: Central Licence tied to your IEC, shelf life on arrival (60% or 3 months, whichever is less), label checks.
Clears goods at the border once FSSAI has issued its NOC.
For you: Your customs broker files here; FSSAI clearance runs alongside.
Issues the IEC that every importer and exporter needs.
For you: Your Central Licence is tied to your IEC. The IEC needs updating every year between 1 April and 30 June.
APEDA registers exporters of the agricultural and processed foods it covers; the Export Inspection Council provides official export certification where the importing country requires it.
For you: Which one applies depends on your product and destination — we confirm before you ship.
Statutory boards that register or license certain businesses in their commodity, especially exporters.
For you: Relevant if you make, pack or export tea, coffee or spices. FSSAI’s licence is still needed alongside.
Runs product certification. For packaged drinking and mineral water, FSSAI’s order of 17.12.2025 says the BIS mark is no longer required from 01.01.2026 — its own scheme of testing applies instead.
For you: Listed because water-plant owners still search for an ISI licence. Check the current position for your product before paying for one.
License drugs. A product making a drug-type claim, or outside FSSAI’s nutraceutical categories, may fall under drug law instead.
For you: Supplement brands: getting the category right decides which regulator you answer to.
Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani medicines are licensed under drug law. Ayurveda Aahara — traditional foods — stays with FSSAI.
For you: If you sell Ayurvedic products, the first question is whether they are a food or a medicine.
Book a free 10-minute check. We’ll tell you which authorities your business answers to, what each one needs from you, and what it costs — before you commit to anything.
Not ready to talk? Get the free 2026 checklist or find your licence yourself.
