Launching a cold-pressed oil brand in India takes more than a good expeller and a good label. Before you sell a single bottle, you need the right FSSAI license, a compliant label, and defensible “cold-pressed” claims. The licensing rules also changed on 1 April 2026, so older blog posts and consultant advice may be out of date.
1. Which FSSAI approval do you need? (2026 thresholds)
From 1 April 2026, businesses with a turnover up to ₹1.5 crore need registration, those above ₹1.5 crore and up to ₹50 crore need a state license, and those above ₹50 crore need a central license. These limits replaced the earlier ₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore thresholds
Annual turnover Approval Typical annual govt. fee*
Up to ₹1.5 crore Basic Registration ~₹100
₹1.5 crore – ₹50 crore State Licence ~₹2,000–₹5,000
Above ₹50 crore Central Licence ~₹7,500
Exact state licence fees vary by sub-category and state, so confirm the amount on the FoSCoS fee calculator before applying Central Licence regardless of turnover: importers, exporters and businesses operating in more than one state need a Central Licence whatever their turnover. E-commerce platforms and some manufacturers also fall in this group. If you plan to export bottled oil, plan for a Central Licence from day oneOne licence per premises: FSSAI licensing is issued separately for each food business premises. A second press unit or a separate packing facility needs its own approval.
2. Perpetual validity: what changed?
Licenses no longer expire, but annual fees, returns, and display rules continue. Fees must be paid every year to avoid suspension. Treat the annual fee date as a fixed compliance deadline, because “perpetual” does not mean “no maintenance.” You must still modify your licence when material particulars change, such as address, product category, installed capacity, or constitution. If you add a new oil, for example, moving from groundnut to sesame and coconut, or increase press capacity, check whether a modification is needed.
3. Step-by-step: getting licensed through FoSCoS
Decide your model. Own press unit, shared/rented facility, or private label with a third-party manufacturer. Each has different license obligations.
Estimate turnover honestly. This decides registration vs. state licence. Growth beyond ₹1.5 crore means an upgrade.
Collect documents. Typical requirements are ID proof, premises proof (ownership or rental agreement), a local-body license such as trade or shop registration for state licenses, a product list, a food safety plan, and, where applicable, a water test report. Confirm the exact checklist on FoSCoS for your category.
Apply on FoSCoS under the manufacturer category and select the correct “kind of business.”
Inspection. Typical timelines are about 7 days for registration, about 30 days for a state license, and 30–60 days for a central license . Display the licence at the premises and print the licence number on every label.
4. Product standards: what makes an oil legally “cold-pressed”
Standards sit in the FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, under the edible oils provisions.
Mustard oil: it may be labelled Kachi Ghani or Cold Pressed if natural allyl isothiocyanate is not less than 0.20% by weight. Check the latest notified text before printing, since this parameter was revised during standards updates
Cold pressed and virgin oils: the standards allow up to 15 milliequivalents of active oxygen per kg of oil, with olive oil excepted. Peroxide value should be a routine batch test.
No solvent residues: oil obtained by the expelled-pressed method must be free from hexane residues
Watch the grey zone. The “cold pressed” term is not uniformly standardized or enforced on labels across oils. Terms like “wood pressed” and “Kachi Ghani” are marketing-heavy. Only use claims you can back with process records and lab reports
Upcoming: FSSAI has proposed standards for minor seed oils that separate cold-pressed or virgin oils from refined ones. If you plan niche seed oils, track this
5. Labelling checklist
Labelling must follow the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020. At minimum, confirm that your label carries:
Product name, for example, “Cold-Pressed Groundnut Oil”
Ingredients (a single-ingredient oil should list only the oil)
FSSAI logo and license number
Manufacturer and, if different, marketer name and address
Net quantity, batch number, date of manufacture, and best-before/use-by date
Nutritional information
Vegetarian logo, where applicable
Consumer care details and country of origin, where relevant
Claims discipline: FSSAI has taken action against “100%” claims as misleading under the Advertising and Claims Regulations, 2018, and Dabur is contesting that order in court. Avoid “100% pure,” “chemical-free,” or unproven health claims. Every claim needs documentary support.
6.Ongoing compliance for oil units
Hygiene and GMP: follow the general hygiene and manufacturing practice requirements for your category (Schedule 4).
Batch testing: periodic testing at an FSSAI-notified or NABL-accredited lab (peroxide value, FFA, and adulterant checks such as argemone in mustard oil).
Records: supplier invoices for seed, cleaning and pressing logs, batch records, and complaint logs.
Trained staff: keep a FoSTaC-trained Food Safety Supervisor where required.
Annual returns and fee payment: confirm current filing dates on FoSCoS for your license type.
Packaging: use food-grade packaging, and check any additional legal metrology requirements for packaged commodities.
7.Common mistakes new brands make
Applying for registration when projected turnover will cross ₹1.5 crore within the year
Forgetting a central license for export or multi-state manufacturing
Printing “Kachi Ghani” on mustard oil without checking the allyl isothiocyanate requirement
Copying a competitor’s label instead of checking the 2020 labeling rules
Treating perpetual validity as “set and forget” and missing annual fees
Using a private-label manufacturer without confirming their license category and scope ..
FAQs
Do I need an FSSAI license to sell cold-pressed oil online? Yes. You need approval for your own activity, and marketplaces will ask for your license number. E-commerce operators themselves may need a central license.
Is there still a renewal? Licenses are now perpetual, but annual fees and returns continue.
Can a startup begin with registration? Yes, if turnover is up to ₹1.5 crore. You must upgrade when you cross it.
Harithra Sree
I am a professional content writer with 9 years of experience, specializing in health, food, and wellness content. She focuses on clear, research-backed writing that connects traditional wisdom with modern lifestyles.