A Central FSSAI License is required for food businesses with annual turnover above ₹50 crore, or those engaged in operations that span multiple states, import or export food products, or run large-scale manufacturing and processing units. It's issued by the Central Licensing Authority rather than a state authority, and carries the most detailed documentation and review requirements of the three FSSAI categories.
Central License also applies regardless of turnover for certain business types, including importers and 100% export-oriented units, given the scale and cross-border nature of their operations.
Check if this applies to your business →High-volume food manufacturing and processing units.
Businesses importing or exporting food products.
Food businesses selling and shipping across states.
Restaurant or food business chains spanning multiple states.
You likely fall under a Central License if your food business matches any of the following:
Annual turnover exceeds ₹50 crore, regardless of business type.
Business premises or distribution span more than one state.
The business imports or exports food products.
Central License applications require the most extensive documentation of the three categories. Typical requirements include:
We assess Central License documentation case by case, based on the scale and complexity typical of these businesses. We confirm your specific checklist during the free assessment.
Share a few details and we'll confirm whether a Central License applies to you.
The most thorough of the three processes, reflecting the scale of businesses this category covers.
We assess turnover, multi-state footprint, and import/export status.
Business, premises, and product documentation prepared across all locations.
Application filed with the Central Licensing Authority along with fees.
Following detailed review and inspection, your Central License is issued.
The highest government fee slab among the three FSSAI categories. Paid annually now that licenses carry perpetual validity.
Once issued, your license stays valid indefinitely. No more choosing a term or renewing before expiry; just keep the annual fee paid to keep it active.
Covers documentation across locations, the food safety plan, and application assistance.
Exact government fees are revised periodically by FSSAI. Get a Cost Estimate →
Turnover up to ₹1.5 crore
Turnover ₹1.5 crore to ₹50 crore
Turnover above ₹50 crore
Yes. Businesses involved in importing food products typically need a Central License regardless of annual turnover, given the regulatory oversight required for imported food.
Yes, typically. A State License only covers operations within a single state, so once you're operating in two or more, a Central License is usually what applies.
Yes, this is common as businesses expand beyond a single state or cross the ₹50 crore turnover threshold. It requires a fresh application under the Central License category.
Given the scale of documentation and review involved, Central License applications generally take longer than Basic Registration or State License. We'll share a realistic timeline once your business has been assessed.
Tell us about your business, and we'll confirm your eligibility and next steps. No obligation.
