The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has approved perpetual (lifetime) validity for licences and registrations issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The reform aims to simplify regulatory compliance and promote ease of doing business for Food Business Operators (FBOs).
The decision follows recommendations of NITI Aayog High-Level Committee on Non-Financial Regulatory Reforms.
What the Reform Means
Previously, FSSAI registrations and licences required periodic renewal.
Under the new framework:
| Earlier System | New System |
| Periodic renewal required | Lifetime validity |
| Frequent paperwork | No repeated renewals |
| Higher compliance cost | Reduced compliance burden |
This reform will help food businesses operate with fewer administrative hurdles.
Benefits of the Reform
| Benefit | Explanation |
| Reduced Compliance Costs | Businesses no longer need repeated renewals |
| Less Paperwork | Simplified regulatory procedures |
| Continuity of Operations | No disruption due to licence renewal |
| Better Enforcement | Authorities can focus on monitoring and safety |
The reform allows regulators to focus more on inspection, monitoring and food safety enforcement.
Deemed Registration for Street Vendors
Street food vendors registered under the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014 will now be automatically considered registered with FSSAI.
Eligibility
Vendors registered with:
- Municipal Corporations
- Town Vending Committees
Impact
| Beneficiaries | Over 10 lakh street vendors |
This measure eliminates dual registration requirements across departments.
Revised Turnover Threshold for Registration
The government has also revised the turnover limits for food business registration and licensing.
| Category | Earlier Threshold | Revised Threshold |
| Registration | ₹12 lakh | ₹1.5 crore |
| State Licence | — | Up to ₹50 crore turnover |
| Central Licence | Above State threshold | Above ₹50 crore turnover |
Effective Date: 1 April
- The revision simplifies compliance for micro and small food businesses.
Simplified Registration Process
- The reforms also introduce easier registration procedures.
Key Changes
- Instant registration for eligible FBOs
- Elimination of pre-inspection requirements
- Reduced documentation and fees
This will significantly improve ease of operations for small and medium food enterprises.
- Risk-Based Inspection Framework: A technology-enabled risk-based inspection system has also been introduced.
Inspection Criteria
Inspections will depend on factors such as:
| Risk Factor | Explanation |
| Nature of food product | High-risk foods receive greater scrutiny |
| Past compliance history | Businesses with violations may face more inspections |
| Third-party audit performance | Good audit performance reduces inspection frequency |
| Enforcement intelligence | Inputs from surveillance and regulatory authorities |
This ensures focused inspections while reducing unnecessary checks on compliant businesses.
Significance of Reform
- Promotes ease of doing business in the food sector.
- Reduces regulatory burden for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
- Supports street vendors by eliminating dual compliance requirements.
- Allows regulators to focus more on food safety enforcement and monitoring.
- Introduces modern risk-based inspection systems.
About FSSAI
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the statutory body responsible for regulating food safety and standards in India.
| Feature | Details |
| Established Under | Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 |
| Ministry | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare |
| Role | Regulates food safety, licensing, and quality standards |