FSSAI License for Cloud Kitchen

We’ll cover:

Why FSSAI License for Cloud Kitchen
Types of FSSAI licenses (Basic, State, Central)
Who needs which license?
Complete document checklist
Step-by-step online application process via FosCos
Fees, renewal, and compliance
Common mistakes to avoid
How to handle shared kitchens and multiple brands
Using FSSAI as a marketing tool
Expert consultation and fast-track options
SEO-optimized content, meta tags, and conversion-focused CTA

Let’s dive in.

Why Get FSSAI License for Cloud Kitchen

The rise of FSSAI License for Cloud Kitchen has transformed the food industry. These delivery-only models eliminate dine-in costs, reduce overhead, and scale quickly — but they also come with increased regulatory scrutiny.

FSSAI treats every cloud kitchen brand as a separate Food Business Operator (FBO) — not just the kitchen owner, but each individual brand operating from the space.

Legal Basis: Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006

Section 31 of the FSS Act states:

“No person shall commence or carry on any food business without obtaining an FSSAI license or registration.”

This applies to:

Cloud kitchen brands (even if operating from a shared facility)
Tiffin services (home-cooked meals delivered weekly)
Online food delivery startups (via WhatsApp, Instagram, or apps)
Meal prep and subscription boxes
D2C packaged food brands

Why Delivery-Only Businesses Are High-Risk

FSSAI considers delivery-based models high-risk because:

No direct customer oversight
Food travels long distances (temperature control issues)
Packaging may not be food-safe
Home kitchens lack commercial hygiene standards
Multiple brands may operate from one kitchen without proper compliance

As a result, FSSAI conducts regular audits and surprise inspections — and non-compliance is punished severely.

Types of FSSAI Licenses Cloud Kitchen: Which One Do You Need?

FSSAI offers three types of compliance, based on scale of operations and annual turnover.

Basic FSSAI Registration	Up to ₹12 lakh	1–5 years	State Government
State FSSAI License	₹12 lakh – ₹20 crore	1–5 years	State Government
Central FSSAI License	Above ₹20 crore or multi-state operations	1–5 years	Central Government (FSSAI HQ)

Let’s break down which one applies to your business.

1. Basic FSSAI Registration (For Small-Scale Operators)

Ideal for:

Home-based tiffin services
Single-brand cloud kitchens with low volume
Weekly meal prep services
Small-scale online food sellers (Instagram, WhatsApp)

Eligibility:

Annual turnover ≤ ₹12 lakh
Manufacturing capacity: up to 100 kg/liter per day
Milk processing: up to 500 liters/day
Meat processing: up to 100 kg/day

Key Features:

Simple online application (Form A)
Minimal documentation
One-time fee: ₹100/year
No inspection required
Issued within 7 days
Registration number starts with “1”

✅ Example: A home chef in Pune selling keto meals to 20 customers weekly (₹8 lakh/year) needs Basic Registration.

2. State FSSAI License (For Medium-Scale Cloud Kitchens & Tiffin Services)

Ideal for:

Cloud kitchens with dedicated facilities
Multi-outlet delivery brands (within one state)
Tiffin services with 100+ subscribers
Meal subscription boxes
Food delivery startups on Swiggy/Zomato

Eligibility:

Annual turnover between ₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore
Operations within one state

Key Features:

Application via FosCos (Form B)
Requires detailed documents (layout plan, water test, NOC, etc.)
Subject to inspection by State Food Safety Officer
Fee: ₹2,000–₹3,000/year (varies by state)
License number starts with “2”
Valid for 1–5 years

✅ Example: A cloud kitchen in Hyderabad serving biryani, desserts, and juices with ₹1.5 crore annual revenue needs a State License.

3. Central FSSAI License (For Large or Multi-State Operations)

Ideal for:

Chain cloud kitchens in multiple cities
National tiffin delivery services
Food brands exporting or importing ingredients
Centralized manufacturing hubs
Businesses supplying to airlines, railways, or corporate offices

Eligibility:

Annual turnover > ₹20 crore
Operations in more than one state
Any interstate or export activity

Key Features:

Issued by FSSAI Headquarters (Central Government)
Requires rigorous documentation and compliance
Inspection by Central Food Safety Officer (CFSO)
Annual fee: ₹5,000 (general) to ₹7,500 (manufacturers)
License number starts with “3”
Valid for 1–5 years

✅ Example: A cloud kitchen brand with outlets in Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai needs a Central License for its corporate office and State Licenses for each outlet.

Who Needs an FSSAI License for Cloud Kitchen ? A Breakdown by Business Model

1. Cloud Kitchens

Single-brand (home-based)	Basic Registration
Single-brand (commercial space)	State License
Multi-brand (shared kitchen)	Each brand needs its own license
Chain cloud kitchens (multi-city)	Central License + State Licenses

🚫 Myth: “I can use the kitchen owner’s license.”
❌ False. Each brand must have its own FSSAI license.

2. Tiffin Services

Home-based (≤ 50 customers/week)	Basic Registration
Medium-scale (50–200 customers)	State License
Large-scale (pan-city delivery)	State or Central License
Corporate tiffin service	State License

Tiffin services must also ensure:

Temperature control during delivery
Hygienic packaging
Daily cleaning logs
Staff training

3. Online Food Delivery (Swiggy, Zomato, WhatsApp, Instagram)

Swiggy / Zomato	Mandatory FSSAI license
Dunzo / Amazon Food	FSSAI + GSTIN
Instagram / WhatsApp	Basic FSSAI Registration required

📱 Note: Platforms verify FSSAI numbers before onboarding. No license = no listing.

Benefits of Having an FSSAI License for Cloud Kitchen & Delivery Businesses

Beyond legal compliance, an FSSAI license offers tangible business advantages:

1. Get Listed on Food Delivery Apps

Swiggy, Zomato, and Dunzo require FSSAI license verification before onboarding. No license = no visibility.

2. Build Customer Trust

The FSSAI logo on your packaging signals safety and quality, increasing repeat orders.

3. Enable Business Expansion

Want to open a second kitchen? Franchise your brand? You’ll need FSSAI compliance.

4. Access Funding & Loans

Banks and investors require FSSAI license for business accounts, loans, and funding.

5. Avoid Fines & Shutdowns

Penalties for non-compliance include:

₹5 lakh fine
6 months imprisonment

30-day business closure

6. Participate in Government Tenders

Many corporate and government contracts require FSSAI certification.

7. Use It as a Marketing Tool

Add “FSSAI Licensed” to your Instagram bio, packaging, and website to build credibility.

🏆 Case Study: A Mumbai cloud kitchen saw a 40% increase in orders within 2 months of displaying its FSSAI number on packaging.

Documents Required for FSSAI License

The documents vary based on license type.

For Basic FSSAI Registration:

Aadhaar Card of the owner
PAN Card (if available)
Address proof of food preparation site (electricity bill, rent agreement, etc.)
Passport-size photograph
List of food items to be handled

For State & Central FSSAI License:

Form B (duly filled and signed)
PAN Card of the business
Photo ID and address proof of owner/director
Certificate of Incorporation (for companies/LLPs) or Partnership Deed
Rent Agreement + NOC from landlord
Property Tax Receipt or Electricity Bill (not older than 2 months)
Layout plan of kitchen (showing cooking, storage, packaging areas)
List of equipment and machinery
Water test report from NABL-accredited lab
Food Safety Management System (FSMS) plan (HACCP-based)
NOC from Municipality or Local Body
Import-Export Code (IEC) – if applicable
Certificate from Manufacturer – for importers

📌 Note: All documents must be self-attested. For companies, Form B must be signed by a Director and stamped.

Step-by-Step FSSAI License Application Process (Online)

The entire process is 100% online via the FosCos (Food Safety Compliance System) portal: https://foscos.fssai.gov.in

1: Register on FosCos

Visit the portal
Click “Register”
Select “Food Business Operator (FBO)”
Enter mobile number and email
Verify via OTP

2: Log In and Start Application

Log in with your credentials
Go to “Apply for License/Registration”
Choose the appropriate license type (Basic, State, Central)

3: Fill Form A or Form B

Enter business name, address, type (proprietorship, LLP, company)
Provide contact details
Declare annual turnover
List food categories handled
Upload scanned documents (PDF/JPEG, under 5MB)

4: Pay the Fee

Use Net Banking, UPI, or Credit/Debit Card
Save the payment receipt
Fee depends on license type and validity (1–5 years)

5: Submit and Track

Review all details
Click “Submit”
Note your Application Reference Number (ARN)

6: Inspection (If Required)

For State and Central licenses, an FDA officer may visit your premises
Ensure the kitchen is clean, staff are trained, and documents are ready

7: License Issuance

If approved, the license is issued within:
- 7 days for Basic Registration
- 30–60 days for State License
- 60–90 days for Central License
Download and print the license from your FosCos dashboard

FSSAI License Fees (2025)

Basic Registration	₹100	₹500
State License	₹2,000 – ₹3,000	₹10,000 – ₹15,000
Central License	₹5,000 – ₹7,500	₹25,000 – ₹37,500

💰 Tip: Pay for 5 years upfront to avoid renewal hassles and lock in current rates.

FSSAI License Renewal: Don’t Let It Expire!

An FSSAI license is valid for 1 to 5 years. You must renew it before it expires.

Renewal Timeline:

Apply 30–60 days before expiry
Can renew up to 180 days after expiry (with penalty)
After 180 days, you must apply as a new business

Renewal Process:

Log in to FosCos
Go to “Renew License”
Fill the renewal form
Pay renewal fee + late fee (if applicable)
Submit
License re-issued within 15–30 days

Penalties for Late Renewal:

31–90 days late: ₹100 per day
91–180 days late: ₹200 per day
After 180 days: Application treated as new

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using Someone Else’s License (e.g., kitchen owner’s)
Not Upgrading from Basic to State License after crossing ₹12 lakh turnover
Skipping Water Test Report for State/Central licenses
Incorrect Address Proof (e.g., residential bill without NOC)
Not Displaying FSSAI Number on packaging and apps
Ignoring Renewal Deadlines
Failing to Update Changes (address, ownership, menu)

Compliance Requirements for Fssai License Cloud Kitchens

Mandatory Practices:

Train all food handlers (FSSAI-approved training)
Maintain hygiene (gloves, hairnets, uniforms)
Store raw and cooked food separately
Use FSSAI-compliant packaging
Display license number on menus, packaging, and bills
Keep records of suppliers, cleaning, and temperature logs

Food Safety Management System (FSMS)

Required for State and Central license holders. Based on HACCP principles, it includes:

Risk assessment
Monitoring critical control points
Corrective actions
Internal audits

Food Safety Audits and Inspections

FDA officers conduct:

Routine inspections (once a year)
Surprise visits
Complaint-based checks

They verify:

Premises cleanliness
Staff hygiene
Food storage and labeling
Equipment maintenance
Documentation

Prepare by conducting monthly internal audits.

Displaying the FSSAI Logo and License Number

It’s mandatory to display your FSSAI license number and logo on:

Menu cards (physical and digital)
Food packaging (takeaway, delivery)
Website and app listings (Zomato, Swiggy)
Invoices and bills
Kitchen entrance

Format:
“Licensed under FSSAI. License No: 123456789012”

Official FSSAI logo

Using a fake or expired number can result in a ₹5 lakh fine.

Penalties for Operating Without FSSAI License

No license: Up to ₹5 lakh fine + 6 months imprisonment
False labeling: ₹10 lakh fine
Selling unsafe food: ₹10 lakh fine + business closure
Expired license: ₹100/day penalty
Non-compliance during inspection: ₹25,000 fine

Special Rules for Shared Kitchens & Multiple Brands

Each brand must have its own FSSAI license
The kitchen operator must maintain a master list of all licensed brands
Packaging must display the brand’s FSSAI number, not the kitchen’s
Brands cannot share licenses, even in the same facility

How to Use FSSAI Compliance as a Marketing Advantage

Add “FSSAI Licensed” to your Instagram bio
Use the FSSAI logo on packaging and website
Mention it in your pitch deck: “100% compliant, safe, and scalable”
Run a campaign: “Eat Safe with Us”
Apply for FSSAI’s “Eat Right Station” certification

Get Expert FSSAI Consultation & Fast-Track Your License

Overwhelmed by documents, inspections, or compliance?

Let our certified FSSAI consultants handle everything — from application to renewal.

✅ We Offer:

Free eligibility check
Document preparation & filing
Inspection readiness audit
Renewal tracking
100% online process

🎯 Get Your FSSAI License in Just 7–10 Days!

👉 Click Here to Book Your Free Consultation:
https://www.expertfssai.com/cloud-kitchen-consultation

📞 Call: +91-98765-43210
📧 Email: support@expertfssai.com

Special offer: 15% off for cloud kitchen and tiffin service startups!