Compliance is not optional. But it's also not as complicated as it looks.
One of the most common questions from founders building supplement or nutraceutical brands in India is: "What FSSAI registration do I actually need?"
The honest answer depends on your role in the supply chain. And understanding that distinction will save you money, time, and liability.
The three-party structure
In contract manufacturing, there are three parties — and each has a different compliance responsibility:
The manufacturer holds the FSSAI Manufacturing Licence. This covers the actual production of the product. If you're using a contract manufacturer (which most D2C brands do), this is their responsibility, not yours.
You (the brand owner) hold FSSAI Relabeller / Repacker Registration. This covers you as the entity putting your brand name on a product manufactured by someone else. This is what most first-time founders need.
Distributors and retailers hold FSSAI Registration or State Licence depending on their turnover. If you're selling direct-to-consumer online, you may not need this separately — but confirm with a consultant.
What kind of FSSAI registration do you need?
FSSAI has three tiers (2026 thresholds — confirm with a licensing consultant as these are subject to revision):
Basic Registration
- Annual turnover up to ₹1.5 crore
- Simple online process
- Applicable for very small operators
State Licence
- Annual turnover ₹1.5 crore to ₹50 crore
- More documentation required
- Issued by State Food Safety Authority
Central Licence
- Annual turnover above ₹50 crore, or for nutraceuticals specifically
- Nutraceuticals fall under a special category requiring Central Licence regardless of turnover in some cases
- More rigorous process
For most new nutraceutical/supplement brands, you will need at minimum a State Licence as a Relabeller and your manufacturer needs a Central Licence for nutraceuticals.
What documents do you need?
Typical requirements for a Relabeller licence:
- Business registration (LLP, Pvt Ltd, or proprietorship)
- PAN and GST registration
- Premises address proof
- Product list with category classification
- Manufacturer's FSSAI licence copy (to show the source is licensed)
- Label drafts for review
What does it cost and how long does it take?
Government fees vary by licence type and state — typically ₹2,000–₹7,500 for the licence fee itself. Professional fees for a licensing consultant to handle the application run ₹5,000–₹25,000 depending on complexity.
Processing time: 30–90 days after submission of complete documents. Plan for this in your launch timeline.
What happens if you skip it?
Selling a food or supplement product without FSSAI registration is a legal violation under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Penalties include product seizure, fines, and in serious cases, criminal liability. More practically: no serious retailer or marketplace will list your product without a valid FSSAI licence.
The labelling piece
FSSAI compliance doesn't end at registration. Your label must comply with FSSAI Labelling Regulations — mandatory declarations, font sizes, claim restrictions, and more. A product that's manufactured correctly but labelled incorrectly can still be pulled from shelves.
Key rule: nutraceuticals cannot make therapeutic claims. You cannot say a supplement "treats," "cures," or "prevents" any disease. Functional claims ("supports immunity," "helps with energy") are permitted within defined limits.
The VP23ARK approach
We integrate compliance checking into our Stage 4 process — before production starts. We verify the manufacturer's licence covers the product category, confirm the client's registration requirements, and review label drafts against FSSAI regulations.
This is not a substitute for a qualified licensing consultant — and we always recommend clients work with one. But it means compliance doesn't become a surprise at the end of the project.
⚠️ Note: Regulatory requirements change. Always confirm current requirements with a qualified FSSAI licensing consultant before proceeding.
