Every business importing food products into India must hold a Central FSSAI License issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. Without this license, customs authorities will not clear the goods, and the importer faces both delay and regulatory risk. In 2026, FSSAI has updated several aspects of the application process — including labelling requirements, No Objection Certificate procedures, and food category definitions — making it critical for importers to work with current information.
Attempting to import food products without a valid FSSAI Central License will result in the consignment being held at the port of entry. The importer must then either obtain the license before clearance, re-export the goods, or face destruction of the consignment after a prescribed holding period.
Who Needs a Central FSSAI License?
A Central FSSAI License (as opposed to a State License or Basic Registration) is required for:
- All food importers — regardless of the annual turnover or volume of import
- Food businesses with an annual turnover exceeding ₹20 crores
- Food manufacturers supplying to multiple states (inter-state operations)
- E-commerce food businesses with pan-India operations
- Hotels, restaurants, and caterers with pan-India or large-scale operations (above specified thresholds)
2026 Documentation Requirements
| Document | Details | 2026 Updates |
|---|---|---|
| Application Form B | Completed Form B from the FoSCoS portal (foodlicensing.fssai.gov.in) | Portal UI updated; ensure you use the current version |
| Identity Proof of Proprietor/Director | PAN card, Aadhaar card, passport | No change |
| Address Proof of Business Premises | Rent agreement, electricity bill, or property ownership document | Must be current (not more than 3 months old for utility bills) |
| IEC (Import Export Code) | DGFT-issued 10-digit IEC | Mandatory for importers; must match the applicant entity name exactly |
| Food Category details | List of food categories to be imported, mapped to FSSAI food category codes | Updated food category codes apply from Jan 2026 — use the new schedule |
| List of products with label drafts | Draft labels for each product type showing all mandatory particulars | Updated labelling regulations require new mandatory fields |
| NOC from local authority | No Objection Certificate from municipality or local body for the business premises | Some states now accept self-declaration; check state-specific requirements |
| Partnership Deed / MOA / AOA | Constitutional documents of the entity | No change |
| List of Directors/Partners | With addresses and ID proofs | No change |
The 3 Most Common Rejection Reasons
Based on our experience handling FSSAI applications, these are the three reasons applications are most commonly rejected or returned for resubmission:
- Incorrect food category mapping: FSSAI uses a specific food category coding system. Importers frequently select broad or incorrect categories, or miss sub-categories that apply to their products. Since January 2026, the food category schedule has been updated — older applications using the previous category codes are being returned.
- Non-compliant label drafts: FSSAI requires draft labels showing all mandatory declarations as per Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020. Common failures include: missing country of origin declaration, incorrect font size for mandatory information, absence of FSSAI license number placeholder, or incorrect nutritional information format.
- IEC mismatch: The IEC (Import Export Code) on the application must exactly match the legal entity name on the FSSAI application. Any discrepancy — even minor variations in company name spelling — results in rejection.
Mandatory Labelling Requirements for Imported Food (2026)
All packaged food products imported into India must comply with India's labelling regulations before they can be sold. The label must display:
- Name of the food product
- List of ingredients (in descending order of weight)
- Nutritional information per 100g/100ml and per serving
- Allergen declarations (mandatory for the 8 major allergens)
- Net quantity (in metric units)
- Name and address of the importer in India
- Country of origin
- Best before / expiry date
- FSSAI license number of the importer
- Batch/lot number
- MRP inclusive of all taxes (for retail packs)
Typical Timeline and Fees
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Government license fee | ₹7,500 per year (Central License) |
| Application processing time | 30 days from complete application submission (statutory target) |
| Actual typical timeline | 45–75 days for first-time applicants; faster with complete documentation |
| License validity | 1–5 years (applicant's choice at time of application) |
| Renewal | Must apply for renewal 30 days before expiry |
Launch Rocket manages FSSAI Central License applications for importers — food category mapping, label review, document preparation, portal submission, and liaison with FSSAI officers. Contact us for a free assessment.