To verify an FSSAI number, go to the Government FoSCoS portal (foscos.fssai.gov.in), open the "FBO Search" tool, enter the 14-digit licence number, and check the business name, address, status and validity date it returns. A genuine number shows an "Active" status against the correct trader details.
How do I check an FSSAI number online?
Check an FSSAI number online through the Government FoSCoS portal at foscos.fssai.gov.in, which replaced the older FLRS system and is now the single official source for licence data. Open the site, find the "FBO Search" or "Check FBO/Consumer" facility on the home page, enter the 14-digit licence or registration number, and submit. The portal returns the registered business name, premises address, licence category, issue and expiry dates, and current status.
If the details match the business you are dealing with and the status reads "Active", the number is genuine and in force. If the search returns no record, or the name and address do not match, treat the number as unverified and ask the operator for clarification before proceeding.
CAREALL is a private FSSAI consultancy, not the government. We file and track applications on the official FoSCoS portal on behalf of food businesses, but the verification tool itself is free and public for anyone to use.
What do the 14 digits of an FSSAI number mean?
The 14 digits of an FSSAI number are a structured code that encodes where and how the licence was issued, not a random string. Reading the digits helps you sanity-check a number even before you run an online search.
The first digit shows whether the entity holds a Registration (it begins with 2) or a Licence (it begins with 1), the next two digits identify the issuing State, and the following digits capture the year of issue and the enrolment or application sequence. Every valid number is exactly 14 digits long, so anything shorter or longer is immediately suspect.
| Digit position | What it indicates |
|---|---|
| 1st digit | Whether it is a Registration (begins with 2) or a Licence (begins with 1) |
| 2nd–3rd digits | State code where the licence/registration was issued |
| 4th–5th digits | Year of issue |
| 6th–8th digits | Enrolment / issuing authority reference |
| 9th–14th digits | Unique sequential number of the food business |
Why does verifying an FSSAI number matter?
Verifying an FSSAI number matters because it confirms a food business is legally permitted to operate and that the licence is current, not expired, suspended or fabricated. For buyers and corporate procurement teams it is a basic due-diligence check; for marketplaces and aggregators it is a listing requirement.
A valid FSSAI number is mandatory to sell on Swiggy, Zomato, Amazon, Flipkart, Blinkit and ONDC, so these platforms verify the number at onboarding and can delist a seller whose licence has become inactive or deemed suspended. Displaying a genuine number also builds customer trust and shields you from penalties for operating on an invalid or borrowed licence.
Although licences are now valid indefinitely, one can still be suspended, cancelled or surrendered, or deemed suspended if the annual fee goes unpaid — so a number that was genuine last year may not be active today. Verification therefore also flags whether a supplier has let their licence fall into suspension.
Where must a business display its FSSAI number?
A food business must display its 14-digit FSSAI number prominently at its premises and on all packaging, invoices and, where applicable, its website and online listings. This is exactly why the number is easy to check: it is meant to be visible.
Restaurants and cloud kitchens should show it on the menu, at the counter and on the delivery bill; manufacturers and packers must print it on the label; online sellers must display it on their storefront. If a business cannot show its number, or shows one that fails verification on FoSCoS, that is a clear warning sign.
- On the food label or package for manufactured and packed goods
- On the menu card and at the billing counter for restaurants and cafés
- On invoices, cash memos and delivery bills
- On the seller page for e-commerce and marketplace listings
- On a display board at the registered premises
How do I tell which FSSAI category a number belongs to?
You can tell which FSSAI category a number belongs to from the licence details shown in the FoSCoS search result, which state whether the holder has a Basic Registration, a State Licence or a Central Licence. The category depends on annual turnover and the nature of the business.
Basic Registration covers the smallest operators, a State Licence covers mid-sized single-state businesses, and a Central Licence covers large operators, importers, exporters, multi-state chains and e-commerce food sellers. Knowing the category tells you whether the licence actually matches the scale of the business you are checking.
| Category | Applies to | Turnover band |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Registration | Petty and small food businesses | Below ₹1.5 crore |
| State Licence | Medium single-state businesses | ₹1.5 crore to ₹50 crore |
| Central Licence | Large, multi-state, importers, exporters, e-commerce | Above ₹50 crore |
What should I do if an FSSAI number does not verify?
If an FSSAI number does not verify on FoSCoS, first re-enter the digits carefully to rule out a typing error, then ask the business for a copy of its FSSAI certificate showing the same number, name and address. A mismatch, an expired status or a "no record found" result means you should not rely on that number.
For your own business, a suspended or inactive licence should be restored promptly, because a deemed-suspended licence (from an unpaid annual fee) stops you operating and can interrupt marketplace listings. CAREALL can review your current licence, confirm its status on the official portal, pay any outstanding annual fee or file a fresh application on your behalf, and track it to confirmation by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. We never guarantee a specific approval date, but we manage the filing end to end.
Frequently asked questions
Is the FSSAI number check free?
Yes. Verifying an FSSAI number on the Government FoSCoS portal (foscos.fssai.gov.in) is completely free and open to the public. You simply enter the 14-digit number in the FBO search tool and read the result. CAREALL charges only for filing, annual-fee or advisory work, never for using the government's free verification facility.
How many digits should a valid FSSAI number have?
A valid FSSAI licence or registration number is always exactly 14 digits long. Any number that is shorter or longer, or that contains letters, is not a genuine FSSAI number. The 14 digits encode the registration or licence type, the issuing state, the year of issue and a unique sequential identifier for the food business.
Can I check an FSSAI number without registering on the portal?
Yes. The FBO search on the FoSCoS portal does not require you to log in or create an account. Anyone, whether a customer, supplier or marketplace, can enter a 14-digit number and instantly see the business name, address, licence category, validity dates and current status without registering.
What does a suspended or inactive status on an FSSAI number mean?
FSSAI licences are now valid indefinitely, so a licence that is no longer active is usually one that has been suspended, cancelled or surrendered — most commonly deemed suspended because the annual fee went unpaid. Licences issued before April 2026 may still show an expiry date on FoSCoS during the transition. Operating on an inactive licence is non-compliant, so the business should clear any outstanding annual fee and restore active status before continuing to trade or sell online.
Does a fake FSSAI number affect my Swiggy or Zomato listing?
Yes. Swiggy, Zomato and other platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart, Blinkit and ONDC verify the FSSAI number at onboarding and periodically thereafter. An invalid, borrowed or expired number can get your listing suspended or removed. A valid, active FSSAI licence in your own business name is required to stay listed.
This guide is kept current for 2026. It is general information, not legal advice — for your specific case, talk to a CAREALL consultant.