If you want to sell food products online in India — whether it is homemade snacks, packaged spices, health supplements, or ready-to-eat meals — you need an FSSAI licence or registration. FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) is the central body that regulates food safety in the country. Selling food without a valid FSSAI licence is illegal and can result in fines up to ₹5 lakh and imprisonment up to six months. The good news is that registration is straightforward and for small businesses, it is free or low-cost. This guide walks you through everything you need to know before you start selling food on Shopify.
Three Levels of FSSAI Registration
FSSAI operates on three levels based on your annual turnover and scale of operation. The first is FSSAI Basic Registration (FBO Registration), applicable to small food businesses with annual turnover below ₹12 lakh. This covers home-based food businesses, small bakeries, tiffin services and similar micro-scale operations. The registration fee is nominal (₹100 per year) and is obtained from the local Food Safety Officer. The second level is State Licence, required if your turnover is between ₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore per year, or if you operate a medium-sized manufacturing or processing unit. The third is Central Licence, required for businesses with turnover above ₹20 crore, importers, exporters, and large-scale manufacturers. For most Shopify food brands starting out, Basic Registration or State Licence will apply.
How to Apply for FSSAI Online
All FSSAI applications are processed through the FoSCoS portal at foscos.fssai.gov.in. Create an account, choose your registration type (Basic, State, or Central), and fill in the application form with your business details. You will need to upload identity proof (Aadhaar or PAN), address proof of your business premises, a list of food products you intend to sell, and a layout plan of your production area (for State and Central licences). For Basic Registration, the process is simpler and typically takes 7 working days. State Licence applications may take up to 30 days. Once approved, you receive a 14-digit FSSAI licence number that must appear on all product labels and your Shopify website’s food product pages.
Mandatory Labelling Requirements for Online Food Sellers
FSSAI has strict labelling rules that apply to all packaged food products sold online. Every food product label must display: the product name, a complete list of ingredients in descending order of weight, nutritional information per 100g/100ml serving, the net weight or volume, the FSSAI licence number, the name and address of the manufacturer or packer, the country of origin (for imported goods), the batch or lot number, the best-before or use-by date, and any allergen declarations. For products sold on Shopify, these details must also be visible on the product page — many FSSAI-compliant brands include a “Nutrition Facts” image and an ingredients list in the product description. Violating labelling norms can result in product recall and penalties. If you need help setting up professional food product pages on Shopify, see what OneOnic has built for food brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell homemade food online without an FSSAI licence?
No. Even home-based food sellers require at minimum FSSAI Basic Registration if they sell commercially — including online via Shopify, Instagram, or WhatsApp. The threshold for “commercial” is any sale for consideration (money). The Basic Registration for turnover under ₹12 lakh is inexpensive and quick to obtain. Operating without it, even as a small home baker, exposes you to food safety inspections, fines, and potential closure notices.
Does my FSSAI licence need to be renewed?
Yes. FSSAI licences and registrations are valid for 1 to 5 years (you choose at the time of application) and must be renewed before expiry. Renewal should be applied for at least 30 days before the expiry date via the FoSCoS portal. Operating with an expired FSSAI licence is treated the same as operating without one and attracts the same penalties. Set a reminder in your calendar well ahead of your renewal date.
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