FoSCoS (Food Safety Compliance System, foscos.fssai.gov.in) is the Government of India's official portal for FSSAI registrations and licences, replacing the older FLRS system. You register with your details, verify by OTP, log in, submit the correct application (Basic, State or Central), pay the government fee, upload documents and track it to issuance.
What is the FoSCoS portal?
FoSCoS (Food Safety Compliance System) is the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India's official online portal, hosted at foscos.fssai.gov.in, through which every food business in India applies for an FSSAI registration or licence, pays the government fee, uploads documents and tracks the application.
It is the single point of interaction between a food business operator and the food-safety regulator. Everything, from a Basic Registration for a home kitchen to a Central Licence for an importer, is filed on this one portal. Beyond new applications, FoSCoS also handles annual-fee payments, modifications, annual returns (Form D1 and Form D2), and the download of your final licence certificate.
CAREALL is a consultancy that files and manages these applications on your behalf on the Government FoSCoS portal; the licence itself is always issued by FSSAI, not by us.
Did FoSCoS replace FLRS?
Yes. FoSCoS replaced the older FLRS (Food Licensing and Registration System) as the national platform for FSSAI licensing, and FLRS is no longer used for new applications.
FoSCoS is the upgraded successor: it added features such as an improved dashboard, PAN-based verification, better tracking, KYC integration and support for annual returns and modifications, all under one login. If you obtained a licence years ago on the old FLRS system, your existing FSSAI number and records were migrated across, and all annual-fee payments and changes now happen inside FoSCoS.
| Aspect | FLRS (old) | FoSCoS (current) |
|---|---|---|
| Portal | Retired | foscos.fssai.gov.in |
| Status | Replaced | Live and mandatory |
| New applications | No longer accepted | Basic, State and Central |
| Extra features | Limited | Returns, modification, KYC, tracking |
| Existing records | Migrated to FoSCoS | Accessible under one login |
How do I register and log in on FoSCoS?
To register on FoSCoS, open foscos.fssai.gov.in, choose the sign-up option, enter your name, email and mobile number, verify the one-time password (OTP) sent to you, and set a username and password; you then log in with those credentials.
Step by step: (1) Visit foscos.fssai.gov.in and select 'Register/Sign Up'. (2) Enter your basic details and complete the OTP verification on your email and mobile. (3) Create your login credentials and note them safely. (4) Log in and reach your dashboard, where you begin an application. Keep the same login for the life of the business, because annual-fee payments, modifications and annual returns are all filed under it.
If you are unsure which licence category applies before you begin, our advisory team confirms it first so your registration is created under the correct food-business type.
- Visit foscos.fssai.gov.in and click Register / Sign Up
- Enter name, email and mobile, then verify by OTP
- Create a username and password and store them safely
- Log in to reach your dashboard
- Use the same login for all future annual-fee payments and returns
How do I apply for an FSSAI licence on FoSCoS?
To apply, log in to FoSCoS, select the correct application type for your turnover and activity, fill the form, upload the required documents, pay the government fee online and submit; the application then moves to the FSSAI officer for review.
Choosing the right category is the most important step. Basic Registration is for very small businesses with annual turnover under ₹1.5 crore. A State Licence covers ₹1.5 crore to ₹50 crore within a single state. A Central Licence is required above ₹50 crore, and also for importers, exporters, e-commerce operators and businesses operating across multiple states. Applying under the wrong category is the most common cause of rejection or later trouble.
| Category | Who it is for | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Registration | Turnover under ₹1.5 crore; small/home operators | Lowest |
| State Licence | ₹1.5 crore to ₹50 crore, single state | Higher (varies by capacity) |
| Central Licence | Above ₹50 crore, importers/exporters, e-commerce, multi-state | Highest |
How do I track my FoSCoS application status?
Log in to FoSCoS and open the application dashboard, where each application shows a live status such as submitted, reverted for clarification, inspection raised, approved or licence issued; you can also check status using your 17-digit application reference number.
If the officer 'reverts' the application, it means clarification or an extra document is needed within a set window, and you respond inside FoSCoS itself rather than starting again. State and Central applications may include an inspection stage. Once approved, your FSSAI certificate can be downloaded directly from the portal. We do not guarantee approval or an exact number of days, but we monitor the dashboard and respond to every query so the file moves steadily, and we track it to issuance.
- Log in and open your application dashboard
- Read the current status against each application
- Respond to any 'reverted' query inside FoSCoS within the deadline
- Attend or arrange any inspection for State/Central files
- Download the issued certificate once approved
What must I do on FoSCoS after the licence is issued?
After issuance you must display the licence at your premises, keep it active by paying the annual fee, file annual returns where applicable, and use FoSCoS for any modification, all under the same login.
Licences are now valid indefinitely, so there is no expiry to chase and no renewal to file; instead you pay an annual fee to keep the licence active, and an unpaid annual fee leaves it deemed suspended. Manufacturers and many licence holders must file the annual return Form D1 by 31 May each year, while dairy units file Form D2 on a half-yearly basis. A valid FSSAI number is also mandatory to list on platforms such as Swiggy, Zomato, Amazon, Flipkart, Blinkit and ONDC, so keeping the licence live directly protects your sales channels.
- Display the FSSAI licence clearly at your premises
- Pay the annual fee on time so the licence is not deemed suspended
- File Form D1 annual return by 31 May (Form D2 half-yearly for dairy)
- Use FoSCoS modification to change address, products or capacity
- Keep the number valid to stay listed on Swiggy, Zomato, Amazon and ONDC
Frequently asked questions
Is FoSCoS the same as the FSSAI website?
FoSCoS is the FSSAI's dedicated licensing portal at foscos.fssai.gov.in, separate from the main fssai.gov.in information website. All registrations, licences, annual-fee payments, modifications and annual returns are filed on FoSCoS, while the main site carries rules, notifications and guidance. FoSCoS replaced the older FLRS licensing system and is now the only platform used for applications.
Can I apply on FoSCoS myself or do I need a consultant?
You can apply yourself on FoSCoS, as it is a public Government portal. However, choosing the correct category, preparing acceptable documents and responding to officer queries is where most applications stumble. As a consultancy, CAREALL files on the same portal on your behalf, gets the category right the first time, handles reverts and tracks the application to issuance, which saves time and reduces rejection risk.
What is my FoSCoS login used for after I get the licence?
Your FoSCoS login stays active for the life of the business. You use it to pay the annual fee that keeps the licence active, file annual returns (Form D1 by 31 May, Form D2 half-yearly for dairy), apply for modifications such as address or product changes, and download your certificate. Keep the username and password safe, because losing access complicates every future compliance step.
How long does a FoSCoS application take?
Timelines vary by category, document quality, whether an inspection is required and the officer's workload, so no exact number of days can be guaranteed. Basic Registrations are typically quicker than State or Central Licences, which may involve inspection. We monitor the FoSCoS dashboard daily, respond to every query promptly, and track the application through to issuance.
Does FoSCoS work for importers and exporters?
Yes. Importers and exporters apply on FoSCoS under the Central Licence category, regardless of turnover. Alongside the FSSAI Central Licence, importers and exporters also need an Import-Export Code (IEC), and certain products carry extra requirements, for example packaged drinking water needs BIS/ISI certification. We advise on the full set before filing so nothing blocks your consignments.
This guide is kept current for 2026. It is general information, not legal advice — for your specific case, talk to a CAREALL consultant.