Opening a Café or Cloud Kitchen in Hyderabad? FSSAI Just Changed the Rules — Here’s What You Need Now

The espresso machine is installed, the Swiggy and Zomato listings are ready to go live, and the soft launch in Kondapur is on Saturday. Then the aggregator asks for one thing you don’t have: an FSSAI number. Without it, no listing — and running a food business without the right licence is an offence.

The good news: FSSAI changed the rules on 1 April 2026. For FSSAI registration in Hyderabad, a food business with annual turnover up to ₹1.5 crore now needs only a basic registration; between ₹1.5 crore and ₹50 crore it needs a State licence; above ₹50 crore, a Central licence. And new licences no longer expire every few years — they stay valid until cancelled, suspended or surrendered, as long as the annual fee is paid.

Which FSSAI category are you in?

Turnover is not the only test. Some activities need a Central licence whatever the turnover — for example, importers and e-commerce food businesses. (Confirm the current list of Central-licence categories on FSSAI’s FoSCoS portal before applying.)

What else changed in 2026?

• No more renewals: registrations and licences issued from 1 April 2026 have perpetual validity — they remain valid unless suspended, cancelled or surrendered.
• Annual fee still applies: you must keep paying the yearly fee, and you can pay several years in advance.
• Street vendors: vendors registered under the Street Vendors Act are now treated as registered under FSSAI — but hygiene rules still apply.

These changes come from the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Amendment Regulations, 2026, notified on 10 March 2026.

Who in Hyderabad needs FSSAI?

Every food business operator — anyone who manufactures, processes, stores, transports, distributes, sells or serves food. That includes:

• Restaurants, cafés and tiffin centres in Gachibowli and Madhapur.
• Cloud kitchens and dark stores around Kondapur and Kothaguda.
• Home bakers and tiffin services in Kokapet, Narsingi and Nizampet.
• Corporate canteens and caterers serving Hitech City offices.
• Packaged-food brands selling online or to retail.

How to apply — step by step

1. Work out your category from expected annual turnover and activity.
2. Collect documents: ID and photo of the proprietor or directors, proof of premises (rent agreement or ownership plus owner’s no-objection), list of food categories, and — for licences — the layout plan, equipment list and a food safety management plan. Your company or LLP documents if you are not a proprietor.
3. Apply on FSSAI’s FoSCoS portal and pay the fee.
4. Inspection (for licences): the Food Safety Officer may inspect the premises before granting the licence.
5. Display and quote your number: show the certificate at the premises and print the FSSAI number on menus, bills and packaging as required.

Fees depend on the category and the type of business. (Confirm the current fee schedule on FoSCoS — it may have changed with the 2026 amendment.)

What if you operate without a licence?

Under section 63 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, a food business that needs a licence and operates without one can face imprisonment of up to six months and a fine of up to ₹5 lakh. Aggregators will also delist you, and a complaint can lead to an inspection that shuts the kitchen.

CA in Kondapur & Gachibowli: why founders want a CA, CS and advocate under one roof

A food business needs FSSAI, GST, a trade licence, Shops & Establishment registration and a sound lease — usually all at once. ComplianceKart is a boutique practice with CAs, CSs and advocates under one roof — like a multi-speciality hospital — based in Kondapur near Hitech City. We work out the right FSSAI category, file on FoSCoS, and line up the other registrations so your launch date doesn’t slip.

FAQ

What is the FSSAI registration limit from 1 April 2026? Annual turnover up to ₹1.5 crore needs basic registration; above ₹1.5 crore and up to ₹50 crore needs a State licence; above ₹50 crore needs a Central licence.

Do I still need to renew my FSSAI licence? Licences and registrations issued from 1 April 2026 have perpetual validity, but the annual fee must be paid. Older licences follow their existing validity until they expire.

Does a home baker in Hyderabad need FSSAI? Yes. Anyone selling food commercially, including from home, needs at least a basic registration.

Can I list on Swiggy or Zomato without FSSAI? No. Food aggregators require a valid FSSAI number before listing a kitchen.

What is the penalty for running a food business without a licence? Up to six months’ imprisonment and a fine of up to ₹5 lakh under section 63 of the FSS Act, for businesses that require a licence.

Sources: FSSAI 2026 amendment — key reforms, TaxTMI; FSSAI raises turnover limits — Mondaq (as of October 2026).

Launching a food business in Hyderabad? ComplianceKart’s team in Kondapur/Hitech City handles FSSAI, GST, trade licence and Shops & Establishment registration in one go. Call or WhatsApp 9959536391, or email team@compliancekart.com.