FSSAI-Approved Lab Since 2012 · NABL Accredited

FSSAI Licensing Testing: Water, Food and Lab Reports for FSSAI Compliance

Launch with Confidence.

Every food business selling in India needs an FSSAI licence, and a valid NABL-accredited test report from an FSSAI-approved laboratory is a mandatory part of that application. Without it, your licence is delayed and your product cannot legally enter the market.

Backed by the Arbro Group's analytical heritage, with Arbro Lab operational since 1990 and Auriga Research founded in 2007, the group has held NABL accreditation continuously since 2003 without a single break. Auriga Research has been FSSAI-approved since 2012 and has supported thousands of FBOs through their licensing process.

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Which FSSAI Licence Type Applies to You

Every Food Business Operator must obtain a valid FSSAI registration or license under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The licence type depends on annual turnover and operating scope.

Licence Type Who It Applies To Annual Turnover
Basic Registration Small retailers, hawkers, food stalls, home kitchens, small cafes Less than ₹12 lakh
State License Medium manufacturers, transporters, traders, marketers ₹12 lakh to ₹20 crore
Central License Large manufacturers, importers/exporters, multi-state operators, e-commerce aggregators, airports, seaports Above ₹20 crore

Note: All grain, cereal, and pulse milling units require a State FSSAI Licence regardless of turnover. FBOs operating in more than one state require a Central Licence. The 14-digit FSSAI number must be displayed on all food packages and at all food premises. Operating without it is a punishable offence under Section 63 of the FSS Act, with fines of up to ₹5 lakh.

Who Needs an FSSAI Licence and Testing

FSSAI requirements apply across the full food value chain. Every category below needs a valid FSSAI registration or licence and NABL-accredited or FSSAI-notified test reports for the initial application. Some categories are also subject to mandatory six-monthly testing under Condition of Licence No. 12.

Initial + Six-Monthly Periodic Testing (manufacturers, repackers, relabellers, importers, dairy and meat processors, nutraceutical manufacturers)
Initial Licensing Testing (all other categories)
1

Food Manufacturers & Processors

All large-scale and small-scale units that produce or process packaged food, including repackers and relabellers.

Initial + Six-Monthly Periodic Testing
2

Importers & Exporters

All FBOs importing or exporting food products require a Central FSSAI Licence.

Initial + Six-Monthly Periodic Testing
3

Dairy Units & Slaughterhouses

Milk chilling units, milk vendors, meat shops, poultry shops, and fish sellers. Dairy and meat processors are subject to periodic testing.

Initial + Six-Monthly Periodic Testing
4

Nutraceutical & Supplement Manufacturers

Manufacturers of nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, and functional foods are subject to periodic six-monthly testing under Condition 12.

Initial + Six-Monthly Periodic Testing
5

Retailers & Wholesalers

Petty retail shops, snack shops, confectionery, bakery shops, grocery stores, supermarkets, and wholesale outlets.

Initial Licensing Testing
6

Restaurants, Hotels, Cafés & Dhabas

All dine-in, takeaway, and quick-service food establishments of any scale.

Initial Licensing Testing
7

Cloud Kitchens & Home-Based Kitchens

Any person preparing food commercially from home or a cloud kitchen must obtain the appropriate FSSAI Registration or Licence.

Initial Licensing Testing
8

Caterers & Banquet Halls

All catering services and banquet halls providing food arrangements.

Initial Licensing Testing
9

Hawkers & Street Food Vendors

Hawkers selling packaged or freshly prepared food while travelling from one location to another, and temporary or fixed stalls at fairs, markets, or religious institutions.

Initial Licensing Testing
10

Food Transporters

Operators of specialized food transport vehicles, including insulated refrigerated vans, milk tankers, food wagons, and food trucks.

Initial Licensing Testing
11

Storage Units & Warehouses

Cold storage and dry storage facilities holding food for distribution.

Initial Licensing Testing
12

Distributors, Suppliers & Marketers

Wholesalers, distributors, suppliers, and food product marketers.

Initial Licensing Testing
13

Canteens, Messes & Institutional Kitchens

Home-based canteens, office canteens, and school or college mess facilities.

Initial Licensing Testing
14

E-Commerce Food Businesses

Online food aggregators (for example, Swiggy, Zomato, Amazon Fresh sellers) require a Central FSSAI Licence.

Initial Licensing Testing
15

Temporary Event Stalls

Food stalls at fairs, festivals, religious institutions, and public events.

Initial Licensing Testing

Two Testing Scopes Under FSSAI

1. Initial Licensing Testing

Every FBO applying for an FSSAI registration or licence needs NABL-accredited or FSSAI-notified test reports as part of the application. This typically includes water testing where water is used in food operations, and product testing for manufacturers and packagers.

2. Mandatory Six-Monthly Periodic Testing

Under Condition of Licence No. 12 of the FSS (Licensing and Registration) Regulations 2011, reinforced by the FSSAI Order dated January 13, 2023, manufacturers, repackers, relabellers, importers, dairy and meat processors, and nutraceutical and functional food manufacturers must conduct testing every six months and upload reports to the FoSCoS portal. Restaurants, retailers, hawkers, and transporters are not subject to this six-monthly upload requirement.

Why Auriga

Six reasons FBOs and food brands choose Auriga as their FSSAI licensing testing partner.

FSSAI-Approved Laboratory Since 2012

Auriga Research has been an FSSAI-approved laboratory since 2012 and has supported thousands of FBOs through their licensing process.

NABL Accreditation Held Continuously Since 2003

The Arbro Group has held NABL accreditation since 2003 without a single break, ensuring continuity of accredited scope through licensing renewals.

Reports Accepted by FSSAI Authorities

Reports issued by Auriga are accepted by FSSAI licensing authorities across India for new licence applications and renewals.

Personal SPOC From Day One

A single point of contact is assigned to every client from the first call and stays with you through sample dispatch, testing, and report delivery.

Real-Time Tracking Through YLIMS

Every sample is bar coded and tracked in YLIMS, our in-house Laboratory Information Management System, so you can check status at any time.

WhatsApp Support Within 2 Hours

Practical, accessible support over WhatsApp with response within 2 hours during working hours.

How It Works

Four steps from initial enquiry to your NABL-accredited FSSAI licensing report.

01

Get Clarity

Contact your SPOC and share your product category and FSSAI licence type. Your SPOC will confirm exactly which parameters are mandatory for your specific application before you spend anything.

02

Send Your Sample

Send your sample or request a pickup. Each sample is bar coded and registered in YLIMS when it arrives, and testing begins within 24 hours of receipt.

03

Testing and Review

Your sample is tested against the confirmed FSSAI-mandated parameters. Every result goes through internal QA review before the report is issued.

04

Receive Your Report

Your NABL-accredited, FSSAI-compliant report is delivered digitally within the agreed turnaround time, ready to attach to your FSSAI licence application.

FSSAI Mandatory Testing: Schedule, Responsibility, and Submission

Under Condition of Licence No. 12 of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, all food manufacturers are legally required to conduct periodic laboratory testing of their food products and submit results to FSSAI. This was reinforced by an FSSAI order dated January 13, 2023, mandating upload of lab testing reports to the FoSCoS portal every six months.

Testing Frequency

  • ✓ Minimum frequency: once every 6 months (bi-annual).
  • ✓ Minimum gap between two tests of the same product: 3 months.
  • ✓ Testing must cover relevant chemical and/or microbiological contaminants based on historical data and risk assessment.

Who Is Responsible

The Food Business Operator (FBO) or Manufacturer is fully and solely responsible for getting testing conducted on time, using a NABL-accredited or FSSAI-notified lab, and uploading reports to FoSCoS within the deadline.

Applies to all food manufacturers (including repackers and relabellers), packaged food businesses, importers, dairy and meat processors, and nutraceutical, dietary supplement, and functional food manufacturers. Restaurants, retailers, hawkers, and transporters are not subject to the six-monthly upload requirement.

Testing Schedule (Financial Year Based)

Half-Year Period Reporting Window Upload Deadline
1st Half: April 1 to September 30 October October 31
2nd Half: October 1 to March 31 April April 30

New Licence Holders: FBOs whose new licence is issued in September or March are exempt from mandatory testing for that particular half-year period.

Quick Reference Summary

Testing Frequency At least once every 6 months
Minimum Gap Between Tests (same product) 3 months
1st Half Period April to September
2nd Half Period October to March
Upload Deadline (1st Half) October 31
Upload Deadline (2nd Half) April 30
Responsible Party Manufacturer / FBO
Accepted Lab Types NABL-accredited or FSSAI-notified
Submission Portal FoSCoS (foscos.fssai.gov.in)
Regulatory Basis License Condition No. 12, FSS (Licensing & Registration) Regulations, 2011
Mandate Order FSSAI Order dated January 13, 2023

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Failure to comply with mandatory six-monthly testing and report submission can result in monetary fines and penalties, suspension of the FSSAI food business licence, forced product recalls, and criminal prosecution under the FSS Act, 2006.

Regulatory Update · Effective January 1, 2026

Packaged Drinking Water and Mineral Water

FSSAI removed the mandatory BIS certification requirement for Packaged Drinking Water (PDW) and Mineral Water (MW) in October 2024 and replaced it with a new mandatory Scheme of Testing (issued December 17, 2025, under File No. RCD 15001/19/2025).

Packaged Drinking Water (PDW)

  • ✓ Standard parameters: testing once every 6 months.
  • ✓ Pesticide residues: testing once every 6 months.
  • ✓ If any parameter fails, frequency increases to monthly until 3 consecutive compliant results are achieved.
  • ✓ Packaging materials: testing once every 6 months, more frequently if suppliers change.

Mineral Water (MW)

  • ✓ Microbiological parameters (E. coli, coliform, etc.): testing every month.
  • ✓ Chemical parameters (nitrates, nitrites, sulphides, manganese, copper, etc.): testing every 3 months.
  • ✓ Pesticide residues: testing every 6 months.

Source: FSSAI Order dated December 17, 2025 (Scheme of Testing for Packaged Drinking Water and Mineral Water), effective January 1, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the test report accepted by FSSAI for licence applications?
Yes. Auriga Research has been an FSSAI-approved laboratory since 2012. Reports issued by Auriga carry NABL accreditation under ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and are accepted by FSSAI licensing authorities across India for new licence applications and renewals.
How long does an FSSAI licensing test report take?
Standard turnaround time is 5 to 7 working days from sample receipt for most food and water FSSAI licensing panels. Express options are available for time-critical applications. Your SPOC confirms the exact turnaround time during the initial quote.
Which parameters do I need to test?
The mandatory parameters depend on your product category and the FSSAI licence type. Examples include microbiological limits, heavy metals, pesticide residues, nutritional information, and additive levels for food products, and IS 10500 or IS 14543 parameters for water. Your SPOC confirms the exact panel before you dispatch a sample.
Can I send a sample directly or do you collect it?
Both options are available. You can dispatch a sample to your nearest Auriga lab in Delhi, Gurugram, Bangalore, Baddi, or Bahadurgarh, or request a pickup. Each sample is bar coded and registered in YLIMS at receipt.
What documents do I receive with the report?
You receive a NABL-accredited test report under ISO/IEC 17025:2017 with full test methodology, parameter values, regulatory limits, and a clear pass or fail outcome for each parameter. The report is on the Auriga letterhead and is ready to attach to your FSSAI licence application.

Regulatory accuracy: All FSSAI licensing, testing schedule, and packaged water content on this page reflects FSSAI orders and FSS Regulations in force as of the verification date below. Buyers should always confirm current requirements with FSSAI or their compliance counsel before filing.
Last verified: June 2026.
Sources: FSS (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011 (Licence Condition No. 12) · FSSAI Order dated July 8, 2021 (testing periodicity on Financial Year basis) · FSSAI Order dated January 13, 2023 (mandatory FoSCoS upload of six-monthly lab testing reports) · FSSAI Order dated December 17, 2025 (Scheme of Testing for Packaged Drinking Water and Mineral Water, effective January 1, 2026).

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