Food Manifest 
At a Glance
Every person involved in the food business — whether it’s a restaurant, manufacturing, trading, repacking, or relabelling — must obtain a 14-digit FSSAI Registration or Licence Number as per the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
What is FSSAI?
FSSAI stands for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. Established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, FSSAI regulates and monitors food businesses across India. It sets standards for manufacturing, storage, distribution, sale, and import of food products, ensuring compliance with strict food safety guidelines. Non-compliance leads to stringent penalties.
Decoding Your FSSAI Number
The 14-digit FSSAI number is structured to provide key information about your food business:
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First Digit:
Indicates the type of registration-
1 = License number
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2 = Registration number
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Second & Third Digits:
Represent the State or Union Territory Code of the food business operator.-
For Central License, the code is 00.
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For State License or Registration, each state has a unique two-digit code.
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Fourth & Fifth Digits:
Denote the year the food business started.-
For example, a business started in 2019 will have 19, and 2020 will have 20.
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Sixth to Eighth Digits:
Indicate the Designated/Registrar Officer under whose jurisdiction the license or registration is issued. FSSAI assigns specific numbers for these officers. -
Ninth to Fourteenth Digits:
Are the unique serial number of the Food Business Operator under a particular designated officer.
Special Note on Offline Licenses
FSSAI directs that offline licenses—issued during internet lockdowns, natural calamities, or technical glitches—have serial numbers starting with 8 or 9 (range: 800000 to 999999). The series begins at 800000 for such cases. Understanding your FSSAI registration number helps verify authenticity and compliance. Food business operators should ensure their license or registration is valid and displayed to build trust with customers and regulators.
Source: Taxguru
