India · Home kitchen
Start a home food business in India
Start with FSSAI eligibility, then check the state, local, business and tax requirements that apply to your location and activity.
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FSSAI registration or licence
Food Business Operators need an FSSAI registration or licence appropriate to their activity and scale.
For new applications from 1 April 2026, the official turnover bands are registration up to ₹1.5 crore, State licence above ₹1.5 crore and up to ₹50 crore, and Central licence above ₹50 crore.
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Activity, production capacity, location and other eligibility rules can still affect the correct category. Use the official FoSCoS eligibility tool rather than relying on turnover alone.
The former ₹12 lakh registration threshold was replaced by the 2026 amendment and is not used on this page.
State, local and tax requirements
FSSAI registration or licensing is not necessarily the only requirement.
State, municipal, business and tax registrations can depend on the location, legal structure, activity and scale of the business.
Food-safety training
Current FSSAI guidance says Central- and State-licensed food businesses should have at least one FoSTaC-trained and certified Food Safety Supervisor for every 25 food handlers or part thereof at each premises.
That wording should not be turned into a claim that every registration-only home cook needs the same certificate.
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Use the official FoSTaC information and the licence or registration conditions for the specific business. Training duties vary with the category and activity.
Business structure and name
A company is not the only possible structure. Official Startup India guidance lists sole proprietorship, partnership firm, limited liability partnership, private limited company and public limited company.
Incorporation, tax registrations and name requirements depend on the structure. Check the official requirements for the structure you choose.
Tax & records
Understand the basic tax and record-keeping steps for your country.
Official guidance
Check the latest requirements for your location and activity before trading.
This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules can vary by location and business activity. Always check the latest official guidance before you start trading.