- Basic registration
- Annual food turnover up to ₹12 lakh
- State licence
- Turnover between ₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore
- Central licence
- Turnover above ₹20 crore, multi-state operations and other central categories
- Portal and validity
- FoSCoS; 1 to 5 years, chosen at application
Which FSSAI approval applies
| Annual food turnover | Approval |
|---|---|
| Up to ₹12 lakh | Basic FSSAI registration |
| ₹12 lakh to ₹20 crore | State licence |
| Above ₹20 crore, or operations in more than one state | Central licence |
Apply on FoSCoS, FSSAI's online portal. Validity is chosen at application — from one to five years — and fees scale with the period. If your kitchen is outsourced, the contractor's licence and its validity become part of your compliance file.
What NABH and assessors check in the kitchen
- Valid FSSAI registration or licence displayed
- Medical fitness and training records of food handlers
- Separation of raw and cooked food, temperature control, pest control and cleaning schedules
- Therapeutic diets prepared as prescribed by the dietitian or doctor — for AYUSH hospitals, documented Pathya diets
- Food sampling and complaint records
- Safe transport of food to wards
We handle the FSSAI application and set up the hygiene and diet documentation that NABH expects.
Frequently asked questions
Does a hospital canteen need FSSAI?
Yes. Any hospital kitchen, canteen or cafeteria that prepares or serves food is a food business and needs FSSAI registration or a licence based on its turnover — even if the kitchen is run by a contractor, whose licence should then be checked.
Which FSSAI licence does a hospital kitchen need?
Basic FSSAI registration covers food businesses with turnover up to ₹12 lakh a year, a state licence covers turnover between ₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore, and a central licence applies above ₹20 crore or for multi-state operations.
Official sources
Fees and rules change. Always confirm on the official page before you apply.
Get a free gap assessment for your facility
Tell us your facility type, bed or chair count and city. Dr. Ashutosh Sharma will tell you which NABH programme fits, what it will cost and how long it will realistically take — before you commit to anything.
Related
- Drug licence (hospital pharmacy)Hospital pharmacy drug licences: Form 19 application, Form 20/21 retail and 20B/21B wholesale licences, minimum area, pharmacist and storage.
- Biomedical waste authorisationBiomedical waste authorisation under the BMW Rules 2016: colour coding, CBWTF agreements, the 30 June annual report and what NABH checks.
- AYUSH hospitals (Ayurveda, Unani, Homoeopathy…)NABH accreditation for Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy and Yoga hospitals: 10-bed eligibility, the new 2026 standards, fees and insurance.