How to Verify FSSAI License Number Online

Verifying the authenticity of an FSSAI license number is an essential compliance step for food business operators, vendors, and even cautious consumers in India. With increased scrutiny on food safety, ensuring that an FSSAI license is real—not fake or expired—helps prevent legal complications, financial penalties, and loss of reputation. Below, you’ll find an easy, reliable process for checking whether any FSSAI license number is genuine using official government resources.

What Is an FSSAI License Number?

Every licensed food business in India receives a 14-digit FSSAI license number.

• This unique code must be displayed on food packages and at business premises.
• The number’s sections reveal registration details, the state of issue, issuing year, and the specific license granted.

Why Authenticate an FSSAI License?

• For businesses: Legal mandate, supply chain credibility, and consumer trust.
• For consumers and partners: Confidence that the food source meets mandated safety standards.
• For regulators and aggregators: Assures only compliant businesses operate on digital and physical platforms.

How to Verify the Authenticity of an FSSAI License Number Online

Step 1: Gather the 14-Digit FSSAI Number Locate the full 14-digit number on the food pack, website, or business display.

Step 2: Visit the Official FoSCos Portal Go to the government’s Food Safety Compliance System site: https://foscos.fssai.gov.in/

Step 3: Access the “FBO Search” or License Search Feature On the homepage, find and click on “FBO Search” or “License/Registration” > “Search License/Registration”. Direct link: FoSCos FBO Search

Step 4: Enter the License/Registration Number

1. Input the 14-digit FSSAI number into the search field.
2. Enter the captcha code as prompted.

Step 5: Submit and Verify Details Click the “Submit” or “Search” button. The portal will display detailed license information:

• Business name (FBO/legal entity)
• Address and premises details
• License type (Central, State, or Basic)
• Validity period (issue and expiry dates)
• License status (active, suspended, expired)
• Food product categories registered

If the license is fake or invalid, no details—or a ‘license does not exist’ message—will be shown.

Step 6: Cross-Check License Details Check that:

• The business name matches the actual entity.
• The business address corresponds to the known premises.
• The validity date is current (license must not be expired).
• The license category (Central/State/Basic) corresponds with business operations.
• The food categories listed are relevant to what the business sells.

Spotting a Fake or Expired FSSAI License

• The number fails to return any result when checked on the FoSCos portal.
• The business details do not match what is shown on packaging or in-store.
• The license status shows “expired,” “suspended,” or “cancelled”.
• The business is using a revoked or outdated license number.

Additional Tips

• Always report suspicious or invalid licenses to FSSAI authorities.
• Businesses must genuinely display FSSAI numbers, not “dummy” or recycled codes.
• Consumers can use the FoSCos portal freely and do not need an account for verification.
• Renewal status is always updated on the portal, making it easy to spot expired or non-compliant licenses.

Quick FAQ

Q1. How often should I check a vendor’s FSSAI license? A: Before new partnerships, periodically for existing vendors, and always before onboarding to digital marketplaces.

Q2. Can a business operate if the FSSAI license is in process? A: Businesses with pending applications can operate using the application acknowledgment, but it’s illegal to use a fake or old license number.

Q3. Is there an offline method to verify a license? A: Online verification is instant and most reliable, but local FSSAI offices can also assist.

Conclusion

The safest, fastest, and official way to check if an FSSAI license number is real or fake is through the FoSCos portal’s FBO Search feature. By entering the license or registration number, you get live, official confirmation of the business’s legal status—protecting your operations, customers, and reputation.

Always demand, check, and verify FSSAI licenses before doing business or purchasing from any food operator in India. Compliance is not just about avoiding fines—it’s about ensuring food safety and trust.