How Check FSSAI License Number Real or Fake

Key Takeaways

A genuine FSSAI number is always exactly 14 digits, and its digits genuinely decode the licence type, state and year of issue. But decoding alone cannot prove authenticity. Only a live match on FoSCoS confirms a license is real.

• The most common giveaway of a fake license is a wrong digit count, a record not found result, or a business name on the portal that does not match the brand printed on the packaging or the signage.
• Even a license number that returns a valid record can be expired, suspended or cancelled. Status matters as much as existence.
• Operating a food business without a valid FSSAI license or registration is an offence under Section 63 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, now enforced as a civil monetary penalty of up to ₹10 lakh after the Jan Vishwas Amendment Act, 2023 replaced the older imprisonment clause.
• FoSCoS is the only current, unified system for FSSAI licensing and verification. The earlier FLRS portal has been discontinued.

Where to find the FSSAI number before you check it

On packaged food, the 14-digit number sits near the ingredients list or the manufacturer's details on the back of the pack, printed alongside the FSSAI logo. In restaurants, sweet shops and other physical premises, it must be displayed on the Food Safety Display Board near the entrance or billing counter, as required under FSSAI's labelling and display regulations.

How to verify an FSSAI license number on FoSCoS, step by step

• Go to the official FoSCoS portal at foscos.fssai.gov.in. This is the only authoritative site for an FSSAI number check.
• Click on FBO Search on the homepage.
• Enter the 14-digit FSSAI license or registration number exactly as printed.
• Complete the captcha and click Submit.
• Review the result: an active license shows the FBO or company name, premises address, license type and validity, while a fake or mistyped number returns record not found.

What to do if you only have the business name, not the number

• Open the FoSCoS Advanced Search option instead of FBO Search.
• Select the State and District where the business is registered.
• Enter the company or FBO name and complete the captcha.
• Click Search to see every license registered under that name, since a business can hold more than one for different premises.

Decoding the 14-digit number, and why decoding is not the same as verifying

The 14-digit FSSAI number follows a uniform structure fixed by FSSAI's numbering order. Reading it tells you what the number claims about the business, but it carries no built-in check digit, so no amount of decoding can prove the number is genuine. Only a live FoSCoS lookup does that.

Warning signs that a license number is fake

• The number is not exactly 14 digits. A genuine FSSAI number never varies in length.
• FoSCoS returns 'record not found after a correctly typed entry.
• The result shows a business name or address that does not match the brand or premises in front of you.
• The FSSAI logo on the packaging looks distorted, oddly coloured, or uses an outdated design.
• The displayed status reads 'expired', 'suspended' or 'cancelled' rather than active

What each status result actually means

Why a fake or invalid FSSAI license matters, legally and practically

Section 63 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 makes it an offence to manufacture, sell, store, distribute or import food without a valid license. This provision, once punishable with imprisonment up to six months and a fine up to ₹5 lakh, was amended by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023, into a civil monetary penalty extending up to ₹10 lakh, so operating on a fake or fabricated number carries real financial exposure even without a criminal case attached. For a genuine business, a fake or mismatched license number displayed by a supplier is also a red flag worth acting on before signing a vendor agreement or listing a product for sale.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is checking an FSSAI license number free?

Yes, verification on the official FoSCoS portal is completely free, and no login is required.

What if FoSCoS shows record not found for a number I typed correctly?

Recheck the digits first, since a single mistyped digit is common. If the number still does not appear after a correct re-entry, treat the license as fake or fabricated.

Can I verify an FSSAI license using just the business name?

Yes, through FoSCoS Advanced Search, by selecting the state and district and entering the company or FBO name instead of the license number.

Does a valid-looking 14-digit number guarantee the license is real?

No. The number's structure can look correct, decoded state and year included, without being registered in the FoSCoS database. Only a live portal lookup confirms authenticity.

What is the difference between an FSSAI license and FSSAI registration?

Registration, first digit 2, applies to very small food businesses, typically under ₹12 lakh annual turnover, while a license, first digit 1, applies to larger State or Central category businesses.

What happens if a business is caught operating without a valid FSSAI licence?

It is an offence under Section 63 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, now enforced as a civil monetary penalty of up to ₹10 lakh following the Jan Vishwas amendment.

Ready to move forward?

Applying for a new FSSAI registration or license, or need to confirm a supplier's license is genuine before you sign an agreement? Book a free consultation with Growthora and we will handle the application, renewal or verification so your food business stays compliant.