Caterers cook for hundreds of people at a time, often away from their own kitchen. That is exactly why FSSAI treats catering, canteens and mess services as food businesses that must be registered or licensed.
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Weddings, parties and corporate events, whether you cook at your own kitchen or at the venue.
Kitchens inside offices, factories, hospitals, schools and colleges.
Daily meal services for students, hostels, paying guests and working people.
The licence type follows turnover, as it does for any food business:
| Annual turnover | What you need | Government fee |
|---|---|---|
| Up to ₹1.5 crore | Basic Registration | ₹100 a year |
| ₹1.5 crore to ₹50 crore | State License | ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 a year |
| Above ₹50 crore | Central License | ₹7,500 a year |
FSSAI approval is tied to premises. For caterers that raises a practical question: what counts as your premises?
Clients often ask a caterer for the FSSAI certificate before signing a canteen contract, so it helps to have the paperwork in order before you bid.
Hot food stays hot and cold food stays cold, especially during transport to a venue.
Covered, food-grade containers and clean vehicles for moving cooked food.
Potable water for cooking, washing and ice.
A supervisor with FoSTaC catering training, and handlers who follow personal hygiene.
Buy from licensed suppliers and keep the bills.
A clear practice for what is discarded and what is safely stored.
Send us your business details, the address of the kitchen and your expected yearly turnover. We confirm the category, collect the documents, file the application on FoSCoS and follow up until the certificate is issued. The list of papers is on the documents checklist, and fees are on the cost page.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Based on the FSSAI rules in force from 1 April 2026.
Send us your details today. We will confirm the right food licence for your business and what it will cost before you pay anything.
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