In a major reform aimed at improving ease of doing business in the food sector, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has announced that food licenses and registration certificates will now have perpetual validity, eliminating the need for periodic renewals.
The decision has been approved by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as part of a broader set of regulatory reforms intended to simplify compliance procedures while maintaining food safety standards.
According to FSSAI, the move will significantly reduce paperwork, compliance costs and repeated interaction with licensing authorities for food business operators (FBOs). Earlier, licenses and registrations were issued for a period ranging from one to five years and required renewal after expiry.
The regulator said the reforms were finalized after consultations with states, Union Territories and industry stakeholders, and are in line with recommendations of the High-Level Committee on Non-Financial Regulatory Reforms constituted by NITI Aayog.
Another key change announced by FSSAI is the increase in the turnover threshold for basic registration. With effect from April 1, 2026, the limit has been raised from ₹12 lakh to ₹1.5 crore, allowing a larger number of small food businesses to operate under simpler registration norms.
Under the revised framework, state licensing will apply to food businesses with a turnover upto ₹50 crore, while companies above this limit will require central licensing. The regulator said this rationalisation will enable state authorities to focus more effectively on monitoring and enforcement.
FSSAI has also provided relief to street food vendors by allowing those registered with municipal corporations or Town Vending Committees under the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, to be treated as deemed registered with the food regulator. The move is expected to benefit over 10 lakh street vendors by removing the need for multiple registrations.
In addition, the regulator has introduced a technology-enabled risk-based inspection system, under which inspections will be conducted based on factors such as the type of food handled, past compliance history and audit performance. This approach aims to reduce unnecessary inspections for compliant businesses while strengthening enforcement where risks are higher.
FSSAI said the reforms are part of the government’s effort to create a transparent, efficient and business-friendly regulatory environment while ensuring safe food for consumers across the country.