From 1 April 2026, a food business with annual turnover up to ₹1.5 crore needs only a basic FSSAI registration — up from ₹12 lakh. The State licence band now runs to ₹50 crore, and the Central licence applies above that. For most restaurants, bakeries, cloud kitchens and food traders in Kerala, compliance just got simpler. But moving to a lower category does not happen on its own.
What changed
FSSAI amended the Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses Regulations, 2011 by a notification dated 10 March 2026, and issued an implementation order on 13 March 2026 applying the new limits from 1 April 2026.
| Category | Until 31 March 2026 | From 1 April 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Basic registration | Up to ₹12 lakh | Up to ₹1.5 crore |
| State licence | ₹12 lakh to ₹20 crore | Above ₹1.5 crore, up to ₹50 crore |
| Central licence | Above ₹20 crore | Above ₹50 crore |
Who this affects
- Small cafés, bakeries and caterers with turnover between ₹12 lakh and ₹1.5 crore. Many of these hold a State licence today and now fall within basic registration.
- Manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors with turnover between ₹20 crore and ₹50 crore, who needed a Central licence on turnover alone and now fall in the State licence band.
- Businesses above ₹1.5 crore still need a licence. Their position changes only if they cross ₹50 crore.
Turnover is not the only test. Some activities, such as food import, carry their own licensing requirements regardless of turnover, so check those separately.
If you already hold a registration or licence
- Check last year's turnover against the new bands.
- If your turnover is now above your category, file a modification application on the FoSCoS portal to move up.
- If you now qualify for a lower category, the route described so far is to apply for the new registration or licence and surrender the existing one at the same time. Keep a copy of the old certificate and the surrender acknowledgement.
- Once the new certificate is issued, update the FSSAI number on labels, packaging, menus, invoices and delivery-platform listings.
Moving down a category is optional. If your current licence remains valid and suits your plans — for example, if you expect to grow past ₹1.5 crore soon — staying where you are can be the simpler choice.
Other changes in the same amendment
- Perpetual validity. The amendment provides for registrations and licences to remain valid without periodic renewal, subject to risk-based inspections.
- Street food vendors. It also addresses registration for street food vendors.
- Future changes by order. FSSAI can now revise turnover thresholds and eligibility criteria from time to time, so these limits may move again.
What is still unclear
FSSAI has not yet set out a detailed procedure or timeline for moving existing holders between categories, or said whether there is a grace period. We will update this page when it does.
Not sure which category you fall in?
Send us your FSSAI certificate and last year's turnover, and we will tell you whether anything needs to change.
Source
FSSAI order dated 13 March 2026 — implementation of revised turnover threshold
This article is general information about a regulatory change and is not advice on any particular business. Thresholds and procedures are set by FSSAI and may change.