FSSAI Registration for Home Bakers: What Changed in 2026
6 min read
FSSAI registration for home bakers has just got easier to qualify for, and most guides online have not caught up. If you bake and sell from your own kitchen, the rule that decides what you need is your yearly turnover, and that limit was raised on 1 April 2026. Here is what it is now, what to do about it, and how to show your number to customers.
Do home bakers need FSSAI at all?
If you sell food you cook, bake or pack, including from home and including through Instagram or WhatsApp, the usual answer is yes: you need at least a registration. Selling only to friends and family for free is different from running a business, and a regular stream of paid orders is a business. Many marketplaces and delivery apps also ask for your FSSAI number before they list you.
The good news is that for a home baker, the lightest level is normally enough. It is called Basic Registration, and you can use your home address for it.
What changed on 1 April 2026
FSSAI's order of 13 March 2026 revised the turnover limits that decide which level a food business falls under, effective 1 April 2026. A law-firm summary describes the same change. Earlier guides, and many pages that still rank, quote the old ₹12 lakh limit for registration.
- old yearly turnover limit for registration
- ₹12 lakh
- new limit for registration, from 1 April 2026
- ₹1.5 crore
- date the new slabs took effect
- 1 April 2026
| Level | Yearly turnover (from 1 April 2026) | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Registration (Basic) | Up to ₹1.5 crore | Most home bakers and small bakeries |
| State licence | ₹1.5 crore to ₹50 crore | A bakery that has grown into a larger unit |
| Central licence | Above ₹50 crore | Large or multi-state operators |
Turnover is not the only test. Sources note that the kind of food business can also decide the level, so check the category you choose on the portal. If you are unsure, the local food safety office can tell you which level applies to a home bakery in your area.
How to apply for FSSAI registration, step by step
Collect your documents
Usually an ID such as Aadhaar or PAN, a passport photo, a proof of address such as an electricity bill, and a list of the products you make. Document lists differ between guides, so check the portal's own list.
Open FoSCoS and start a new application
FoSCoS is FSSAI's online portal. Create a login, then choose to apply for a new registration.
Pick the business kind and level
Choose the food business category that fits a bakery, then the Basic Registration level if your turnover is within the limit above.
Fill in the form and upload your papers
Use your home address as the business address. Name the products you make, from cakes and cookies to breads.
Pay the government fee
The fee is set by FSSAI and shown by the portal's fee calculator. Pay only there, never to an agent's personal account.
Track it and download the certificate
Keep the application reference number safe. Once approved, download your certificate and note the 14-digit number on it.
Do not wait for the Diwali and Christmas rush
Diwali falls on 8 November 2026 and Christmas and New Year orders follow soon after. Orders from gifting customers, offices and societies often ask for your FSSAI number first. Applying in a quiet week is far easier than applying in the middle of a festive batch.
- Apply before you take bulk orders. Corporate and society orders are the ones most likely to ask for the number.
- Keep a copy on your phone. A photo of the certificate saves you hunting for it each time.
- Note the renewal terms. Some secondary sources say registrations from 1 April 2026 do not expire, but an annual fee still applies. Confirm this on the portal.
Where to show your FSSAI number
Having the number is one thing; customers trusting it is another. People who order a birthday cake from a stranger on Instagram feel better when they can see you are registered. Put the number where they already look: your bio, your packaging labels, your invoices and your order page.
On KioSnap, you add your FSSAI number once under Settings, in the Store section. It then shows on your storefront for customers to see. Your storefront also gets its own link and QR code, so you can put the same link in your bio and print the QR on your boxes.
KioSnap takes orders from the Charcoal plan, at ₹299 a month after a 14-day free trial and a one-time ₹199 setup, with zero commission. The free Wood plan gives you a three-item display storefront so you can see how your details look. See the pricing page, and read how to take cake orders online for the full ordering setup.
Keep your kitchen ready for an inspection
Registration does not end the work. A registered kitchen is expected to stay clean and organised. Cover food, keep raw ingredients and finished bakes apart, tie hair back, wash hands often and use clean gloves or tongs for ready-to-eat items. Write the date on anything you store, and keep your receipts for ingredients.
The short version
From 1 April 2026, a food business with yearly turnover up to ₹1.5 crore falls under registration rather than a licence. Gather your papers, apply on FoSCoS, pay the fee on the portal, and put your number where customers can see it. Do it before the festive rush, not during it.
Common questions
Do I need FSSAI registration to sell cakes from home?
Generally yes. Selling food you make, including from home and on social media, is a food business, and the usual starting level is Basic Registration. Confirm the exact rule for your case on the FoSCoS portal.
What is the FSSAI turnover limit for registration in 2026?
From 1 April 2026, registration covers food businesses with yearly turnover up to ₹1.5 crore, according to FSSAI's 13 March 2026 order. The earlier limit was ₹12 lakh.
Can I use my home address for FSSAI registration?
For a home bakery, sources say your home address can be given as the business address on a Basic Registration. Check the portal's current document list when you apply.
Where do I show my FSSAI number to customers?
Put it on your boxes, bills and bio. On KioSnap you add it once in the Store section of Settings and it shows on your storefront.
How long does FSSAI registration take?
Guides report anywhere from a week to a month, depending on the office and how complete your papers are. Track your application on FoSCoS with the reference number.
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