The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is responsible for food safety standards regulations nationwide. Every person or company involved in producing, processing, packaging, or distributing food must obtain an FSSAI license or registration. Once an application is filed, it’s essential to track its status to ensure timely approvals and prevent delays in initiating or maintaining food business operations.
This blog presents a step-by-step explanation on how to verify the FSSAI application status online through the government’s official portal.
Introduction
Whether you are starting a restaurant, beginning a food manufacturing unit, or just operating a home-based catering business, procuring an FSSAI license is compulsory according to Indian food safety laws. The application for an FSSAI registration or license is now mostly digital through the FSSAI Food Licensing and Registration System (FLRS) or Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS). After submission, tracking the application status online enables applicants to remain informed and react quickly in case of a request for clarification from the authority.
FSSAI Registration and Application Types
Before we move on to the steps to monitor your application, it is useful to know which kind of FSSAI license you’ve submitted. The FSSAI has three types –
- Basic Registration – For small food businesses with up to Rs 12 lakh annual turnover.
- State License – For firms with turnover ranging from Rs 12 lakh to Rs 20 crore, or those within one state.
- Central License – For large enterprises with turnover over Rs 20 crore, or engaged in imports/exports or having operations in more than one state.
Each of the above needs a different list of documents and time to process, but all pass through the same centralized online portal the FoSCoS portal (Food Safety Compliance System).
Steps to Check FSSAI Application Status Online
After you have submitted your FSSAI application directly or via a consultant, you can check its status through the FoSCoS portal. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how it is done in simple language –
Step 1. Visit the Official FoSCoS Portal
Visit the FoSCoS website, which is the official portal for FSSAI license registration and status checking.
Step 2. Click on “Track Application”
On the home page, search for the “Track Application” option typically found in the main menu or under “Quick Links“. Tap on it to continue.
Step 3. Provide Mandatory Details
You will be asked to provide –
- Application Reference Number (this is a 17-digit reference number you get when you have submitted your application)
- Captcha code as displayed on the screen
Make sure the reference number is entered correctly even a small typo can show “no record found.”
Step 4. View Application Status
After submitting the reference number, the portal will display the current status of your application. It may also show basic details like applicant name, type of application, and submission date.
What Does an Application Status of Different Types Indicate?
When you follow the status of your application, you might observe one of several other statuses. Here’s what they normally represent –
- Submitted – Your application has been accepted and is being processed.
- Under Scrutiny – The license authority is processing your documents and information.
- Inspection Scheduled – A site inspection (if needed) has been arranged.
- Approved – Your application has been accepted and the license will be released shortly.
- Rejected – You received a refusal, typically for absent documents, misinformation, or failing the criteria.
- Clarification Requested – The governing authority has put you on inquiry; you will reply via the portal with an explanation or further documentation.
- Issued – Your licence or registration certificate is processed and available for you to download.
Monitoring these statuses enables you to respond fast if any action on your part is needed such as uploading missing documents or responding to a question.
What to Do If Your Application Is Delayed or Stuck?
If your application gets delayed in one step for quite some time, or the status is not being updated for days, here is what you can do –
- Log into your FoSCoS account and see if there are any outstanding actions or document uploads that are needed.
- Search for a request for clarification under the application dashboard. At times, requests by the licensing authority may not be displayed through an email but become visible once you login.
- Contact the local licensing authority. Their contact details usually appear in the email acknowledgement or can be accessed through the FoSCoS portal.
Keeping records of all communication and documentation of receipts in advance is also a good idea in case of future audits or appeals.
Common Mistakes That Can Delay Approval
Most FSSAI applications get held up or rejected because of preventable errors. Some of the most common ones are –
- Uploading unclear or invalid documents
- Entering mismatched business names or address information
- Applying in the incorrect category (e.g., applying for Basic instead of State License)
- Overlooking clarification notices or failing to reply within the allotted time
Reviewing all documents twice prior to submission and checking on the application periodically reduces the chances of mistakes and accelerates approval.
Conclusion
Obtaining an FSSAI license is a vital process for everyone in the food industry, and monitoring the application online is easy but important. The FoSCoS portal offers a speedy and transparent method to follow the status of your registration enabling you to act whenever necessary and prevent unnecessary delays.
Whether you’re running a bakery, restaurant, cloud kitchen, or food manufacturing unit, staying on top of your FSSAI application ensures legal compliance, faster go-to-market, and greater customer confidence. Make it a habit to check your FSSAI application status regularly until your license is issued and keep it renewed well before expiry to keep your operations running without interruption.
References
The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
