Yes, selling homemade food is legal in India under specific conditions, primarily governed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and state-level regulations.
Homemade food sales are permitted if the producer complies with FSSAI’s Home-Based Food Business guidelines, which classify such operations as ” Petty Food Business Operators” (PFBO). Registration or licensing is mandatory, with annual turnover thresholds (₹12 lakhs for registration, higher for licensing). Local municipal bodies, such as the Delhi Municipal Corporation or Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, enforce additional hygiene and zoning rules. Recent draft amendments (2026) propose stricter labeling and traceability requirements for PFBOs, aligning with global food safety trends.
Key Regulations for Selling Homemade Food in India
- FSSAI Registration/Licensing: Mandatory for all home-based food businesses. PFBOs with turnover ≤₹12 lakhs must register via the FSSAI+ portal; higher turnover requires a state license. Exemptions apply only to non-commercial sales (e.g., family consumption).
- Hygiene and Safety Standards: Compliance with Schedule 4 of the FSSAI Regulations is required, covering food handler hygiene, storage temperatures, and contamination prevention. Local health inspectors conduct unannounced checks under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
- Labeling and Traceability: Labels must include the FSSAI registration number, ingredients, allergen warnings, and the producer’s address. The 2026 amendments introduce QR code mandates for batch tracking, applicable even to small-scale producers.