Under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and…

A food business operating across the stated number of States requires a Central License for its registered or head office. Its individual units also need their own licence or registration according to the applicable capacity, turnover, and licensing category.

Why not "Central License"? A Central License is required for the registered or head office, but it does not by itself satisfy the licensing requirements of every operating unit. Separate unit licences or registrations remain necessary according to the relevant eligibility criteria, so this answer states only part of the requirement.

Why not "Separate license/ Registration"? Separate licences or registrations for individual units are necessary, but this answer omits the additional Central License required for the registered or head office of the multi-State operator. The regulatory arrangement contains both levels of authorization, making the combined answer more complete.

Why not "Composite License"? The described multi-State arrangement is not satisfied by a single generic composite licence covering the entire business. Official guidance requires a Central License for the head office together with separate licences or registrations for the units, determined according to their relevant capacity or turnover.