Is FSSAI License Mandatory for Zomato & Swiggy?

Planning to sell food on Zomato or Swiggy? Then one question comes before your menu, photos, or pricing: do you need an FSSAI license?

The short answer is yes. Zomato and Swiggy list only food businesses that hold a valid FSSAI registration or license. This rule applies to restaurants, cloud kitchens, and home kitchens alike.

In this guide, we explain why the rule exists, which FSSAI category fits your kitchen under the new 2026 limits, what it costs, and the exact documents you need to go live.

Is FSSAI License Mandatory for Zomato and Swiggy?

Yes, it is mandatory. You cannot list your food business on Zomato or Swiggy without a valid FSSAI registration or license.

Here is why. In 2018, FSSAI issued guidelines for e-commerce food businesses. These guidelines require delivery platforms to display the FSSAI license number of every restaurant and kitchen they list. The same year, FSSAI directed Zomato, Swiggy, and other apps to remove food businesses that did not hold a license or registration.

So both platforms now check your 14-digit FSSAI number during onboarding. No FSSAI number means no listing.

Do Home Kitchens Need FSSAI to Sell on Zomato or Swiggy?

Yes. A home kitchen counts as a food business the moment it starts selling food. It does not matter if you cook from your own house or sell only a few orders a day.

The good news is that most home kitchens need only FSSAI Basic Registration. It is the simplest and cheapest category. Home bakers, tiffin services, and home chefs usually fall here.

If you run a home food business, keep these points in mind:

• Your registration will show your home address as the business premises.
• List every food item you plan to sell, such as cakes, meals, or snacks.
• Keep your kitchen clean and follow basic hygiene rules. Food safety officers can inspect registered premises.

What About Cloud Kitchens?

Cloud kitchens follow the same FSSAI rules as regular restaurants. The only difference is that they do not serve dine-in customers.

A cloud kitchen needs Basic Registration or a State License, depending on its turnover. Here is what cloud kitchen owners often miss:

• One license per kitchen location. FSSAI links your license to a specific premises. If you open a second kitchen in another area, you need a separate registration or license for it.
• Multiple brands from one kitchen. Many cloud kitchens run several brands from the same kitchen. Make sure your license covers all the food categories these brands sell.
• Name matching. Zomato and Swiggy check that the business name on your FSSAI certificate matches your PAN and bank account. A mismatch can delay your onboarding.

Which FSSAI License Do You Need? (New 2026 Limits)

FSSAI changed its turnover limits from 1 April 2026. Many older articles still show the old ₹12 lakh limit, so check this section carefully.

Here are the current categories:

• FSSAI Basic Registration: Annual turnover up to ₹1.5 crore (earlier ₹12 lakh)
• FSSAI State License: Annual turnover above ₹1.5 crore and up to ₹50 crore
• FSSAI Central License: Annual turnover above ₹50 crore

Two things to remember:

1. Turnover means your total annual sales, not your profit or personal income.
2. The ₹1.5 crore limit decides your category. It is not an exemption. Every food business needs FSSAI, whatever its size.

Some kinds of food businesses need a State or Central License even with low turnover. If you are unsure about your category, ask an expert before you apply. A wrong category can lead to rejection.

FSSAI Fees in 2026

Government fees for FSSAI are low, especially for small kitchens:

• Basic Registration: ₹100 per year
• State License: ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 per year, depending on your business type
• Central License: ₹7,500 per year

FSSAI also introduced perpetual validity in 2026. Your registration or license now stays valid unless it is suspended, cancelled, or surrendered. You no longer need to apply for renewal every few years, but the annual government fee still applies.

Documents Required for FSSAI Registration

For a home kitchen or small cloud kitchen applying for Basic Registration, keep these ready:

• Recent passport-size photograph
• Identity proof, such as Aadhaar card or PAN card
• Proof of premises, such as a rent agreement, ownership document, or electricity bill
• List of food items you plan to prepare and sell

For a State License, you will usually need extra documents, such as a kitchen layout plan, a water test report, and a food safety management plan.

Documents Zomato and Swiggy Ask For

Once you have your FSSAI certificate, you can register as a partner. Both platforms usually ask for:

• FSSAI certificate with your 14-digit number
• PAN card of the business or owner
• Bank account details, usually a cancelled cheque
• GST certificate, if you have GST registration
• Menu with prices
• Clear photos of your food and kitchen
• Address proof of the kitchen

Swiggy may also visit your kitchen or ask for kitchen photos before approval.

Not sure if you need GST too? Read our guide on who needs GST registration.

Step-by-Step: From FSSAI to Your First Order

Follow these steps to go live on Zomato or Swiggy:

1. Check your category. Estimate your annual turnover and pick Basic Registration, State License, or Central License.
2. Apply on FoSCoS. Submit your application on FSSAI's official portal, foscos.fssai.gov.in, with your documents and fee.
3. Get your certificate. Basic Registration usually takes about 7 days. A State License can take around 30 days.
4. Register as a partner. Sign up on the Zomato or Swiggy partner portal and upload your FSSAI certificate and other documents.
5. Go live. After verification, your kitchen appears on the app and you can start taking orders.

Tip: Apply for FSSAI first. Without it, your partner application will stop at the document stage.

What Happens If You Sell Without FSSAI?

Selling food without FSSAI registration is a legal offence under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

• Platform action: Zomato and Swiggy can block or remove your listing.
• Legal penalty: Under Section 63 of the Act, running a food business without a license can lead to imprisonment of up to 6 months and a fine of up to ₹5 lakh.

Getting registered costs far less than the risk.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

These small errors cause most delays:

• Choosing the wrong category for your turnover
• Using different business names on FSSAI, PAN, and your bank account
• Leaving food items out of your application
• Opening a new kitchen location on your old license
• Uploading blurry or cropped documents

Get Your FSSAI Registration with DigiFiling

DigiFiling helps home chefs, cloud kitchens, and restaurants get FSSAI registration online. Our experts pick the right category, check your documents, and file your application on the official portal.

• FSSAI Registration starts at ₹1,499
• Free first consultation
• Application tracking with WhatsApp updates

Apply for FSSAI Registration or talk to our experts today.

Want to know more about food licensing? Read why every food business needs FSSAI registration.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is FSSAI mandatory for home bakers selling on Swiggy or Zomato?

Yes. Home bakers need FSSAI registration to sell on any delivery app. Most home bakers qualify for Basic Registration, which costs ₹100 per year.

2. Can I sell on Zomato without an FSSAI license?

No. Zomato verifies your FSSAI number during onboarding. FSSAI rules also require the platform to display your license number on your listing.

3. What is the FSSAI turnover limit for Basic Registration in 2026?

From 1 April 2026, Basic Registration covers food businesses with annual turnover up to ₹1.5 crore. The earlier limit was ₹12 lakh.

4. Does my FSSAI registration expire?

Under the 2026 amendment, FSSAI registrations and licenses have perpetual validity. They stay valid unless suspended, cancelled, or surrendered.

5. Can one FSSAI license cover multiple cloud kitchen brands?

Usually yes, if all brands cook in the same kitchen and your license covers all the food categories you sell. A new kitchen location needs its own license.

6. What should I do if my turnover crosses ₹1.5 crore?

You must upgrade from Basic Registration to a State License. Apply for the upgrade on the FoSCoS portal before you cross the limit.

This guide reflects FSSAI rules as of November 2026. Rules can change, so confirm the latest details on the FoSCoS portal or with an expert before you apply.