Renu Suresh

Expert

Published on: Jun 24, 2026

Who Are Exempted From Fssai Registration?

Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulation 2011 governs food business certification in India. FSSAI registration or license is required for all food business administrators in India engaged in producing, depository, conveyance, and distributing food products. However, some FBOs are exempted from FSSAI registration under FSS Regulation 2011. In this article, we will look at Who Are Exempted From Fssai Registration?

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Synopsis of Exemption from FSSAI Registration

The following food business operators are exempted from obtaining Registration/ Incense from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India:
  • Individual members manufacturing or conducting food business activities from home for a registered Cooperative Society or Mahila Udyog or Self Help Group or Gruh Udyog, or any similar government-registered society
  • The Direct Selling entity is willing to take responsibility for its Direct Sellers and has given them written authorization to do so
  • A milkman/vendor registers with a Cooperative Society and sells his whole milk production to that society.
  • The delivery person, direct selling agent, or owner of food vending machines, water vending machines, food ATMs, or food carts.

The home food business is exempted from FSSAI registration?

FSSAI vide order 03-01/2012/Enf-I/FSSAI dated January 21st, 2015, exempted individual members manufacturing or conducting food business activities from home for the following entities to obtain FSSAI registration:
  • A registered Cooperative Society
  • Mahila Udyog
  • Gruh Udyog
  • Self Help Group
  • Any similar government-registered society
Note:  He/she must be a registered member of the society licensed with FSSAI and subject to all conditions as laid down in the FSSAI order.

Exemption for Direct Selling Entities

Direct Seller is not required to obtain FSSAI registration certificates unless Direct Selling entities are willing to assume responsibility for their Direct Sellers and have given them written authorization to handle such responsibilities. Under all other circumstances, direct sellers need to obtain an FSSAI license. Refer to the article on How to get FSSAI Food Product Approval to know more.

Exemption for the milkman

A milkman or vendor who sells all his milk to a cooperative society is exempt from obtaining FSSAI registration if he is a registered vendor of that society. In that case, the Cooperative Society has to be licensed or registered with FSSAI.

Who are others exempted from FSSAI registration?

According to FSSAI letter 15(6), 2018/FLRS/RCD/FSSAI dated July 8th, 2019, and September 19th, 2019, the following food businesses are exempt from obtaining registration.
  • Last-mile delivery person
  • Direct Selling Agent
  • Food Vending Machines
  • Water vending machines
  • Food ATMs (owned by a single entity)
  • Food Cart owners
FSSAI License/Registration is also not required for utensils or packaging material meant for serving or packaging food as these are not covered under the definition of food as per Section 3(n) of the FSS Act, 2006. IndiaFilings can help other FBOs to obtain an FSSAI registration throughout the country very quickly. Our experts will guide you in selecting the proper food category and license.

Are you not falling into these categories? Most probably, your business requires FSSAI registration - Check your eligibility and start your FSSAI registration effortlessly with IndiaFilings!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about FSSAI Registration Exemptions in India.

According to the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulation 2011, all food business operators in India engaged in manufacturing, storage, transportation, and distribution of food products generally need to obtain FSSAI registration or license. However, certain categories of food businesses are exempted from this requirement.
The article outlines several categories of food businesses that are exempted from obtaining FSSAI registration, including individual members manufacturing or conducting food business activities from home for registered societies like cooperative societies, Mahila Udyog, Self Help Groups, or Gruh Udyog. Direct selling entities that take responsibility for their direct sellers are also exempted, along with milkmen/vendors who sell their entire milk production to a registered cooperative society.
Direct sellers are not required to obtain FSSAI registration certificates if the direct selling entity they work for is willing to assume responsibility for them and has provided them with written authorization. In all other cases, direct sellers need to obtain an FSSAI license.
Yes, a milkman or vendor who sells all their milk to a cooperative society is exempt from obtaining FSSAI registration if they are a registered vendor of that society, provided the cooperative society itself is licensed or registered with FSSAI.
No, according to the article, last-mile delivery persons, direct selling agents, owners of food vending machines, water vending machines, food ATMs (owned by a single entity), and food cart owners are exempt from obtaining FSSAI registration.
No, utensils or packaging materials meant for serving or packaging food are not required to have FSSAI registration, as they are not covered under the definition of "food" as per the FSS Act, 2006.
Yes, if a food business does not fall under any of the exempted categories mentioned in the article, it most likely requires FSSAI registration. The article suggests checking eligibility and starting the registration process with the help of experts.
The article does not provide detailed steps for obtaining FSSAI registration. However, it mentions that IndiaFilings can help food business operators obtain FSSAI registration throughout the country quickly, and their experts can guide in selecting the proper food category and license.
For some exempted categories, like individual members manufacturing or conducting food business activities from home for registered societies, they must be registered members of the society licensed with FSSAI and subject to the conditions laid down in the FSSAI order dated January 21st, 2015.
No, FSSAI registration is not mandatory for all types of food businesses. The article clearly outlines several categories of food businesses that are exempted from obtaining FSSAI registration, subject to certain conditions or requirements.