FSSAI registration for a home kitchen, tiffin service or home baker (2026)
Updated October 20, 2026
A home kitchen, tiffin service or home baker in India needs an FSSAI registration before selling food. With annual turnover up to ₹1.5 crore — which covers almost every home-based operation — you need only FSSAI Basic Registration, which costs ₹100 per year. The 2026 FSSAI reform raised the Basic Registration ceiling from ₹12 lakh to ₹1.5 crore, so home-based food businesses, home bakers, micro enterprises, small dhabas and home kitchens now sit comfortably in the cheapest, lightest tier.
Which FSSAI tier a home kitchen needs
| Your annual turnover | FSSAI tier | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Up to ₹1.5 crore (almost all home businesses) | Basic Registration | ₹100 per year |
| ₹1.5 crore to ₹50 crore | State Licence | ₹5,000 per year (food service) |
| Above ₹50 crore / multiple states | Central Licence | ₹7,500 per year |
In practice a home kitchen, tiffin service or home baker will be well under ₹1.5 crore, so Basic Registration at ₹100 a year is what you need. If you grow past ₹1.5 crore, you move up to a State Licence — see our full FSSAI licence guide.
Yes, home kitchens need FSSAI
There is no exemption for cooking from home. The moment you sell food — tiffins, home-baked cakes, pickles, snacks, meal subscriptions — you are a food business operator and need at least Basic Registration. Aggregators and many corporate/society tiffin clients will also ask for your FSSAI number before they let you sell.
Documents you usually need
For Basic Registration of a home-based food business:
- Photo ID of the proprietor (Aadhaar / PAN / voter ID).
- A passport-size photograph.
- Address proof of the kitchen premises (your home) — a utility bill, rent agreement or ownership proof.
- A simple declaration and, for some categories, a Form B.
Home kitchens generally pass with standard hygiene and clean, safe water. Exact requirements vary by state — check the FoSCoS portal.
How to register your home kitchen with FSSAI
- Go to the FoSCoS portal (foscos.fssai.gov.in) and create an account.
- Choose Kind of Business (for example "Petty Food Business Operator" or the relevant food-service category) and select Basic Registration.
- Fill the form and upload your ID, photo and address proof.
- Pay ₹100 per year of registration.
- Submit. Basic Registration is often granted quickly; download your certificate with its 14-digit FSSAI number.
Display your FSSAI number
Once registered, show your FSSAI number:
- On your packaging and labels (tiffin containers, cake boxes).
- On your bills and receipts.
- On your menu and ordering page.
When you take orders on WhatsApp or your own page, add the number so every customer sees it. Menuthere lets you show your FSSAI number on your online ordering page and run WhatsApp ordering for a home kitchen, with UPI and card money landing in your own Razorpay or Cashfree account.
In short
- Home kitchens, tiffin services and home bakers need FSSAI — no home exemption.
- Basic Registration (₹100/yr) covers turnover up to ₹1.5 crore, which is almost all home businesses.
- The 2026 reform raised the ceiling from ₹12 lakh to ₹1.5 crore.
- Apply on FoSCoS with ID, photo and address proof of your home premises.
- Display your 14-digit FSSAI number on packaging, bills, menu and ordering page.
- Requirements vary by state — confirm on FoSCoS.
Next steps for a home food business
Planning the business as a whole? See our guides to starting a tiffin service, a home bakery, or a cloud kitchen. To take orders and subscriptions directly — without an aggregator's commission — start free with Menuthere.
FAQ
Do I need an FSSAI licence to sell food from home in India?
Yes. Any home-based food business — home kitchen, tiffin service or home baker — needs at least FSSAI Basic Registration before selling. There is no exemption for cooking from home.
How much does FSSAI registration cost for a home kitchen?
FSSAI Basic Registration costs ₹100 per year. With annual turnover up to ₹1.5 crore, which covers almost every home-based food business, Basic Registration is the applicable tier.
What is the FSSAI turnover limit for a home-based food business?
From 1 April 2026, Basic Registration applies up to ₹1.5 crore of annual turnover (raised from ₹12 lakh). Above that you need a State Licence.
What documents are needed for FSSAI registration of a home kitchen?
Usually a photo ID (Aadhaar/PAN/voter ID), a passport-size photo, address proof of your home premises, and a declaration. Exact requirements vary by state, so check the FoSCoS portal.
Can I sell tiffins or home-baked cakes without FSSAI?
No. Selling tiffins, home-baked goods or any food makes you a food business operator, so you need at least FSSAI Basic Registration, and aggregators and corporate clients will ask for your FSSAI number.
Sources (4)
- FSSAI / FoSCoS, "Kind of Business Eligibility" (Updated 01.04.2026), https://foscos.fssai.gov.in/assets/docs/Revised_2ndApril2026KindofBusinessEligibility.pdf — accessed 2026-10-21. Petty Food Business Operator and food-service tiers; Registration ₹100/yr.
- FSSAI, "MoHFW Approves Major Regulatory Reforms" press release, 13 March 2026, https://fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Press%20Release_FSSAI%20Reforms_130326.pdf — accessed 2026-10-21. Registration ceiling raised ₹12 lakh → ₹1.5 crore, effective 1 April 2026.
- Mondaq / S.S. Rana & Co, "FSSAI Raises Turnover Limits For Food Business Registration And Licensing," https://www.mondaq.com/india/food-and-drugs-law/1801924/ — accessed 2026-10-21. Beneficiaries include home bakers, micro enterprises, small dhabas, home kitchens.
- FoSCoS portal, https://foscos.fssai.gov.in/ — accessed 2026-10-21. Registration portal and Kind-of-Business selection.