The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has notified the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Amendment Regulations, 2026, introducing significant changes to the regulatory framework governing food business operators (FBOs) in India. The amendment was issued under Section 92(2) read with Section 31 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, with prior approval of the Central Government, and follows earlier draft consultations published in 2020.
A key reform under the amendment is the revision of turnover-based thresholds for registration and licensing, which will take effect from 1 April 2026. Under the revised structure, food businesses with an annual turnover up to ?1.5 crore will require FSSAI Registration, while those with turnover between ?1.5 crore and ?50 crore must obtain a State License. Businesses with annual turnover exceeding ?50 crore will require a Central License. The revised thresholds aim to reflect the growth of India’s food sector and address inflation-related changes since the earlier framework was introduced.
The amendment also introduces perpetual validity for FSSAI licenses and registrations, replacing the earlier fixed-term renewal system. Under the revised provisions, a license or registration will remain valid unless it is suspended, cancelled, or surrendered. However, failure to pay annual fees or submit mandatory returns may lead to deemed suspension until compliance requirements are fulfilled.
Another important change relates to street food vendors and hawkers. Vendors registered under the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014 will be deemed registered under the Food Safety and Standards Act, provided they comply with hygiene and sanitary requirements specified in Schedule 4 of the regulations. This provision is intended to simplify compliance for a large segment of informal food businesses.
The amendment further enables the Food Authority to grant instant registration certificates upon submission of required documentation, subject to specified procedures. In addition, the definition of “Petty Food Business Operator” has been expanded to explicitly include food trucks, food carts, itinerant vendors, temporary stall holders, hawkers, and individuals distributing food at social or religious gatherings, offering greater regulatory clarity for small and mobile food businesses.
A new provision also establishes a risk-based inspection and audit framework. Under this system, inspections will be conducted periodically based on factors such as type of food business, risk category of food handled, past compliance history, and results of third-party audits. Food businesses may also be directed to undergo food safety audits conducted by FSSAI-recognized third-party auditing agencies, with the costs borne by the operator.
The updated regulations are intended to modernize India’s food business licensing system, improve compliance mechanisms, and reduce regulatory burden for smaller operators while strengthening food safety oversight across the sector.
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