What is FSSAI Licence?
FSSAI stands for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. It is responsible for food safety standards and regulating the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import in India. If your hotel makes/serves food, FSSAI is required.
For a hotel, this could cover restaurant food, breakfast, room service, banquet/catering food, beverages and other food operations.
Types of FSSAI approval
There are broadly three levels:
Type Typical use Government fee
Basic Registration Small food businesses ₹100/year
State Licence Larger food businesses Depends on category
Central Licence Certain large/high-category businesses ₹7,500/year
The exact licence for a hotel depends on its business type, turnover, capacity and category. FSSAI's revised eligibility criteria are effective from April 1, 2026.
For example, FSSAI eligibility framework specifically covers restaurants and hotels so you should select the correct business category rather than simply choosing a licence based on turnover.
How to Apply for FSSAI Licence?
The application is made online through the government's FoSCoS portal.
Official application portal:
Apply for FSSAI Licence on FoSCoS
Step 1 - Create an account
Go to FoSCoS and create/login to your account.
Step 2 - Select your location
Choose the state where your hotel/food business is located.
Step 3 - Select the appropriate food business
For a hotel, you will generally need to select the relevant hotel/restaurant/food-service category based on your actual operations.
Step 4 - Fill Form B
In a licence application, you will generally need to submit Form B along with the required business information.
Step 5 - Upload documents
Depending on your business structure and category, documents can include:
PAN/Aadhaar/identity documents
Address proof of business premises
Proof of possession of premises
Partnership deed/company incorporation documents, where applicable
List of directors/partners
Food business details
Kitchen/layout information where applicable
Equipment and food-processing details, where applicable
Other documents requested by FSSAI
The official FoSCoS document list should be checked for your particular category.
Step 6 - Pay the government fee
Pay the applicable FSSAI fee online through FoSCoS.
Important: FSSAI specifically warns applicants to make licence/registration payments only through the official FoSCoS portal.
Step 7 - Inspection, if applicable
Depending on the category and application, the Food Safety Department may conduct an inspection or request additional information/documents.
Step 8 - Get your FSSAI licence
Once the application has been approved, your FSSAI licence/registration certificate can be downloaded from the portal.
You can also track the application online.
How much does it cost?
The government fee is relatively low compared with the overall cost of starting a hotel.
For example:
Basic Registration: ₹100 per year
Central Licence: ₹7,500 per year
For a State Licence, the fee varies according to the applicable food-business category. The official FoSCoS fee schedule should be checked before payment.
If you hire a consultant/agent to prepare documents and file the application, professional charges are additional and are not FSSAI government fees.
For your hotel
If you’re planning a hotel in Bengaluru/Karnataka, I can give you the exact FSSAI category and expected government fee based on your number of rooms + restaurant + annual turnover, along with the complete hotel licence checklist for Karnataka (BBMP, Fire NOC, Police, Trade Licence, FSSAI, GST, Liquor, Shops & Establishments, etc.).
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