FSSAI
Food Product Categories
Search FSSAI food product categories for food license applications.
What are FSSAI Food Product Categories?
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) classifies every food product under a category for licensing and compliance. Picking the right category determines the kind of license (basic, state, or central) and the labelling requirements for your product.
License type
Determines whether you need basic, state, or central FSSAI license
Product fit
Choose the closest match if no exact category exists
Need Help Picking the Right FSSAI Category?
Our food-license experts can review your product list and recommend the correct category + license type.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are FSSAI food product categories?
FSSAI classifies every food product under a specific category code for licensing and compliance. Each category determines the license type (Basic, State, or Central) required and the applicable labelling/quality rules under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
How do I know if I need Basic, State, or Central FSSAI license?
Basic license: small food businesses with turnover up to ₹12 lakh/year. State license: medium businesses with turnover above ₹12 lakh and up to ₹20 crore/year. Central license: large businesses above ₹20 crore/year, importers, and e-commerce food operators.
Where do I use the FSSAI category code?
You enter the product category code when registering on FoSCoS (FSSAI's online portal) for a new license or to add product categories to an existing license. The code helps the system determine which safety and labelling standards apply to your product.
Can I sell multiple food categories under one FSSAI license?
Yes. One FSSAI license can cover multiple product categories. List all categories your business handles when applying. Each category has its own compliance requirements but they fall under a single license number and annual return.
What happens if I sell a product in an undeclared category?
Selling food products outside your licensed categories is a violation under the Food Safety Act and can attract penalties, product seizure, and license suspension. Always declare all product categories and update your license when adding new product lines.
Does the FSSAI category affect the GST rate on my product?
No. FSSAI category codes are for food safety classification and do not determine GST rates. GST rates depend on the HSN code of your product. You will need both the correct FSSAI category (for food license) and the correct HSN code (for GST invoices).