FSSAI License Guide for Third-Party & Contract Manufacturing (2026)

Here's what most food founders discover too late: outsourcing manufacturing does not mean outsourcing regulatory responsibility. The moment your brand name appears on a package, the FSSAI sees you as the responsible party.

Who Needs the FSSAI License?

Both the manufacturer and the brand need licenses but they're different.The manufacturer's license covers their facility: equipment, processes, hygiene, water quality, waste. It's proof they can produce safe food.

The brand owner's license depends on what you're actually doing. This is where most brands get confused.

License Categories: Know Yours

1. Manufacturer License

You make or process food (reformulate, blend, grind, fortify, preserve)

Example: You source raw ingredients, grind them into flour, package and label

Scope: Responsible for the product inside the pack — ingredients, processing, safety

Requirement: Your facility must be inspected and approved by FSSAI

2. Repacker License

You take finished, bulk food and repackage it into retail units with new labeling

Example: Buy atta in 25kg containers, repack into 1kg retail bags with your label

The food itself is untouched; you're only changing the packaging

Scope: Responsible for the label, packaging integrity, and shelf life after repackaging

Requirement: Your facility needs basic infrastructure for repackaging (storage, labeling, hygiene)

3. Relabeller License

You take finished, sealed, pre-labeled food and apply a new label

Example: Contract manufacturer does your manufacturing and packaging with your label

The food is already in retail packaging; you're just changing the brand label

Scope: Responsible for the accuracy of the new label (ingredients, allergens, license number, etc.)

Requirement: Minimal. Often just registration, no facility inspection needed

4. Trader/Distributor License

You buy finished food and sell it as-is without repackaging or relabeling

Example: Stock retail products in your shop or on your e-commerce platform, sell under the original brand

Scope: You're just a middleman; not responsible for the product or label

Requirement: Registration only; no facility inspection

5. Importer License

You import food from outside India and bring it into the Indian market

You need this even if you're just importing pre-packaged, branded products

Scope: Responsible for ensuring imported products meet FSSAI standards

Requirement: Registration + periodic testing of imported batches

Common Mistakes

If your brand name goes on the pack in any form, you need a license. The exact type depends on what you're doing to the product.

"I'm just a trader distributing someone else's product" → If you're calling it "your brand" or your label appears anywhere, you're not a trader. You need a relabeller or repacker license.

"The manufacturer has a license, so we're good" → The manufacturer's license covers their facility and process. Your license covers your legal accountability for that product in the market. Two different things.

"We're importing pre-packaged food, so it's already compliant" → You still need an importer license and you're still liable for that product's compliance in India.

"We're just relabeling, so we don't need a facility inspection" → Relabellers still need a license. The inspection is lighter, but you need to register and maintain documentation.

"We're small, so Registration is enough" → Even a micro business selling nationally through e-commerce needs a Central license.

"Confusing license type with license level "→ A relabeller can hold a Central, State, or Registration license depending on scale. Type and level are independent choices

Who Is Responsible for the Label?

Everything on that label is your liability as a brand owner: ingredient declaration, allergen warnings, nutrition facts, health claims, barcode, manufacturing/expiry dates.

FSSAI auditors cross-check labels against test reports, regulations, and actual sourcing. A manufacturer's clean license doesn't shield you from label violations.

Who Tests the Product?

Brand owner ,Via an independent NABL-accredited lab. It gives you an independent verification trail.

If FSSAI questions your product, you can show testing from an accredited lab — not just the manufacturer's report.

What Documents You Must

Non-negotiable. Verify each one before you sign anything:

Your Pre-Launch Compliance Checklist

You've chosen your manufacturer. You've signed an agreement. Now before you launch , here's what needs to be in place.

1. Licensing & Documentation (2-3 weeks before launch)

2. Product Testing (4-6 weeks before launch)

3. Label Compliance (3-4 weeks before printing)

Download Pre-Launch Checklist

The Bottom Line

Your brand name is on that package. Make sure every decision from the factory to the label to the way you retain samples for traceability backs that promise.

A regulatory expert can review your setup, your agreement, and your label before you print a single unit.

Talk to our regulatory expert