FSSAI compliance is not one checklist. A food business must first obtain the correct registration or licence, operate within its approved Kind of Business and products, follow Schedule 4 hygiene and FSMS controls, meet product/additive standards, use compliant packaging and labels, maintain traceability and records, and respond properly to unsafe food and recalls.
Legal framework
The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 is supported by separate regulations for licensing, product standards and additives, contaminants, laboratory and sampling, packaging, labelling and display, advertising and claims, imports and other sectors. The old 2011 Packaging and Labelling Regulations should not be cited as the sole current framework.
Licence and scope
Apply through FoSCoS for every relevant premises and Kind of Business. For many turnover-based categories, new applications from 1 April 2026 use Registration up to ₹1.5 crore, State licence above ₹1.5 crore to ₹50 crore and Central licence above ₹50 crore; special categories and capacity rules can override turnover.
Schedule 4 hygiene
Schedule 4 requires suitable premises, potable water, drainage, waste disposal, cleaning and sanitation, pest control, equipment maintenance, personal hygiene, storage and transport controls. Licensed FBOs should maintain a documented food safety management-system plan.
Product and additive standards
Standardised foods must meet the applicable identity, composition, microbiological and additive limits. Proprietary, nutraceutical, infant, organic, fortified, alcoholic and novel foods may follow additional frameworks. An additive is lawful only within the permitted food category and limit.
Packaging and labels
Food-contact packaging must be food grade, suitable for the product and compliant with the Packaging Regulations, including conformity documentation where required. Pre-packaged labels follow the Labelling and Display Regulations, Legal Metrology rules where applicable and product-specific declarations.
HACCP and preventive controls
HACCP is a preventive method for identifying hazards, critical controls, limits, monitoring and corrective action. Its exact regulatory role depends on the sector and licence conditions, but hazard-based controls are a strong foundation for the FSMS required by Schedule 4.
Traceability and recall
Maintain supplier, batch, production and customer records sufficient to trace affected food. A recall plan should define decision authority, notification, stock isolation, market withdrawal, consumer communication, disposal and effectiveness checks.
Allergen management
Identify regulated allergens, prevent unintended cross-contact, validate changeovers and cleaning, approve labels, control rework and investigate complaints. Do not rely only on a generic disclaimer when cross-contact can reasonably be controlled.
Training and supervision
Central- and State-licensed premises should have at least one FoSTaC-trained food safety supervisor for every 25 food handlers or part thereof. Training must be matched to actual duties and reinforced through observation and records.
Compliance plan
Map each product and activity to the governing regulation; maintain a legal register; assign owners; schedule internal audits, testing, label review and renewal; monitor official notifications; and document corrective action. Seek specialist review before launching a new category.
Frequently asked questions
Are the 2011 Packaging and Labelling Regulations still the main label law?
No. Current analysis must use the Packaging Regulations, 2018 and Labelling and Display Regulations, 2020, plus amendments and product-specific rules.
Is HACCP mandatory for every small FBO?
Requirements vary by sector and licence, although every FBO must control food-safety hazards and follow applicable hygiene duties.
Do turnover thresholds decide every licence?
No. Capacity, product, star category, importing, e-commerce and other special criteria can control.
How often should guidelines be reviewed?
At least on a scheduled basis and whenever FSSAI publishes a relevant notification, direction or portal change.
Official sources and legal references
These are primary starting points used for the legal verification completed on 23 July 2026. Gazette notifications prevail over convenient compilations if they conflict.
Editorial review record
| Review level | Reviewer | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Editorial research | TargoLegal Research and Editorial Desk | Completed | 23 July 2026 |
| Independent legal/FSSAI professional | Qualified reviewer to be assigned | Professional review pending | — |
