FSSAI License for Ayurvedic and Herbal Food Products: Registration Process Explained
What is FSSAI Registration of Ayurvedic and Herbal Foods?
FSSAI registration of Ayurvedic and herbal foods is a government authorisation provided by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India that authorises a business to produce, pack, distribute or sell herbal teas, Ayurvedic proprietary foods, herbal dietary supplements, and plant-based nutraceuticals for human consumption. It verifies that your food, its ingredients and production processes comply with India's food safety regulations.
Ayurvedic and Herbal food products are governed by the Food Safety and Standards (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose, Functional Food and Novel Food) Regulations, 2016, which govern the regulation of such foods by FSSAI. An AYUSH manufacturing license is a separate license requirement for a product being marketed as Ayurvedic medicine with healing properties.
Which License Should You Go For: FSSAI Registration or Ayush Manufacturing License?
Choose correctly at the very beginning of the process and avoid having to change midway through:
Apply for FSSAI registration if the herbal or Ayurvedic formulation is labelled as a food/beverage/tea/nutraceutical and does not have any claims of treating, curing, or preventing a disease.
Apply for an AYUSH manufacturing license if the formulation is being branded as Ayurvedic medicine and has medicinal claims, since it will come under the purview of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and not FSSAI.
Sometimes, both of them may be required: one for the medicinal SKU and the other for the food category SKU.
Why Should You Register Your Herbal Foods in FSSAI?
Legality: Without proper certification, it is illegal to sell herbal/Ayurvedic food and may result in imprisonment of up to ₹5 lakh under the FSS Act of 2006.
Market entry: Most of the online shopping sites like Amazon, Flipkart, Swiggy Instamart, and even other fast commerce websites check your FSSAI number.
Consumer satisfaction: An official logo and 14-digit registration number tell consumers that your ingredients, hygiene, and labelling have been certified by the FSSAI.
Exporting facility: A central FSSAI license is required to export and supply ayurvedic/herbal food to government departments.
Types of FSSAI License Based on Business Size
Basic Registration – Applicable for businesses with an annual turnover of up to ₹12 lakh; suitable for small herbal food makers, home-based producers, and petty manufacturers.
State License – Applicable for businesses with an annual turnover between ₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore; suitable for medium-scale Ayurvedic/herbal food manufacturers and traders operating within a single state.
Central License – Applicable for businesses with an annual turnover above ₹20 crore or those involved in import/export activities; suitable for large manufacturers, importers, exporters, and multi-state operators.
Note: Turnover thresholds and category definitions are periodically revised by FSSAI notifications. Always confirm the current limit for your business type on the official FoSCoS portal before applying.
Documents Required for FSSAI License
Form A or Form B (as Applicable) – Basic application and declaration form for the selected FSSAI license type.
Identity & Address Proof of the Applicant – Confirms the legal identity and address of the business owner.
Business Constitution Certificate – Proprietorship proof, partnership deed, or company incorporation certificate establishing the business entity.
List of Herbal/Ayurvedic Ingredients & Sourcing Details – Confirms that all ingredients are permitted for use in food products.
Food Safety Management Plan (FSMS) – Mandatory for Central License applicants.
No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Local Municipal Authority – Confirms that the business premises comply with local regulations.
Layout Plan of the Manufacturing/Processing Unit – Required for State License and Central License applications.
Product Label Draft – Used to verify compliance with FSSAI labeling requirements before approval.
Process for FSSAI Registration Step by Step
Step 1: Complete your registration on FoSCoS portal (foscos.fssai.gov.in) using mobile and email OTP registration.
Step 2: Choose the right Kind of Business (KoB) – for example, “Manufacturer – Health Supplement/Nutraceutical” for the majority of herbal food products.
Step 3: Complete Form A (Basic) or Form B (State/Central) with required details of business, commodity, ingredients, etc.
Step 4: Provide the necessary documents and pay your government’s charges according to the chosen duration.
Step 5: FSSAI allocates a Unique Application Reference Number; the Food Safety Officer visits the manufacturing units for checking in State/Central cases.
Step 6: After your application is approved, you receive a 14-digit FSSAI license number and Format C certificate, which you need to display at your shop as well as print on your packaging.
FSSAI License Fees for Ayurvedic and Herbal Food Businesses
Basic Registration – Government fee of ₹100 per year.
State License – Government fee ranges from ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 per year, depending on the nature of the business activity.
Central License – Government fee of ₹7,500 per year.
Applicants can choose a validity period of 1 to 5 years at the time of application, with the fee scaled accordingly. Confirm the exact, current fee slab for your specific business category on the FoSCoS portal, as amounts are revised periodically.
Timeline, Validity, and Renewal
Basic Registration: usually approved within 7–15 working days.
State and Central License: typically 30–60 days for review, and up to 60–90 days overall including inspection.
Validity: chosen at the time of application, from 1 to 5 years (subject to the 2026 perpetual-license reforms for eligible new applicants).
Renewal: apply at least 30–60 days before expiry on FoSCoS; a lapsed license can suspend your right to trade and may attract penalties.
Annual return: manufacturers and importers must file Form D1 by 31 May every year, regardless of license validity period.
conclusion
While the process of FSSAI registration for Ayurvedic and herbal food products may seem difficult with so many forms, ingredient lists, and turnover slabs, if you know your license type and the necessary documents, it becomes quite simple. The main issues arise only in the form of minor mistakes — such as selecting the right type of Business, or having an incomplete FSMS plan- which can lead to a lengthy process. In this situation, Silveryeye Certifications proves to be a great assistant.
Our team takes care of everything from determining whether one needs a Basic, State, or Central License, to filling out Form B and gathering the required ingredient lists and the rest of the documents needed for FoSCoS. So whether you are a small herbal tea manufacturer who has just started your home business or a nutraceutical exporter needing help with your Central License application, Silveryeye Certifications is here to file all the necessary documents, making FSSAI registration for herbal food products as easy and quick as possible.
Contact us on: +91-9625369071, and email us at [email protected]











