Every food business operator involved in the manufacturing, processing, sale of food products and storage distribution must compulsorily obtain FSSAI Registration or License. FSSAI License is different from FSSAI Registration in the sense that depending on the nature and size of the business, Food Business Operator(FBO) should obtain the necessary registration or license.

1. It is mandatory to run a food business.
2. Operating a food business without this license is grounds for prison time and other penalties.
3. When the time comes for your business to expand in other areas or outlets, you can easily do so with the use of your FSSAI license.
4. When you have the FSSAI license, you can use the FSSAI logo in your products or business cards.
5. It will provide your customers with the certain confidence seeing that your brand or business is FSSAI registered, and it will make it easier for them to trust your business with the feeling of goodwill.

Starting restaurant without FSSAI license is punishable under section 63 of the Food Safety & Standard Act 2006. As per Section 63 of FSSAI Act:

• If any person or food business operator (except the persons exempted from licensing under sub-section (2) of section 31 of this Act),
• himself or by any person on his behalf who is required to obtain license, manufactures, sells, stores or distributes or imports any article of food without license,
• shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months and also with a fine which may extend to five lakh rupees.

An FSSAI license can be acquired for a period ranging anywhere from 1 year to 5 years. After the validity period FBO can apply for renewal.