FSSAI License for Sweet Shops and Mithai Manufacturers in India 2026

FSSAI Requirements for Sweet Shops (Mithai Shops)

Sweet shops and halwais are among the most common food businesses in India, and FSSAI has specific requirements for them. Whether you run a small neighbourhood halwai shop or a large branded sweet chain, you need the appropriate FSSAI registration or license.

Which FSSAI Category Does a Sweet Shop Need?

Type of Business	FSSAI Category
Small neighbourhood halwai (annual turnover ≤₹1.5 crore)	Basic Registration
Medium sweet shop / retail chain (₹1.5–₹50 crore)	State License
Large sweet manufacturer with distribution (>₹50 crore)	Central License
Sweet shop with online delivery (Swiggy/Zomato)	Minimum Basic Registration
Packaged sweets sold through modern retail	State License (recommended)

Key Hygiene Requirements for Sweet Shops

FSSAI inspectors pay particular attention to the following in sweet shops:

Premises and Cleanliness

• Floors must be clean, dry, and free of cracks where dirt can accumulate
• Walls and ceiling in food preparation areas must be easy to clean
• No open drainage in food preparation areas
• Covered dustbins must be used and emptied daily
• Food display counters must be covered with glass to protect from flies and dust
• Separate area for washing utensils (not in the food preparation area)

Milk and Khoya (Mawa) Quality

Most traditional Indian sweets are made from milk, khoya, and sugar. FSSAI inspectors frequently check:

• Source of milk (certified dairy or registered milk vendor)
• Quality of khoya/mawa (adulted khoya with starch or oil is a common violation)
• Use of food-grade colours only (certain colours like metanil yellow are banned in sweets)
• Use of permitted sweeteners only (saccharin and cyclamates are restricted in sweets sold to general public)

Food Handler Hygiene

• Halwais and assistants must maintain personal hygiene — clean clothes, no jewellery in prep area
• Hands must be washed before handling food
• No smoking, eating, or drinking in food preparation areas
• Annual medical fitness certificates for all food handlers

FSSAI Standards for Common Indian Sweets

Khoya (Mawa)

• Moisture: Maximum 30% for pindi khoya, 20% for danedar khoya
• Milk fat on dry weight: Minimum 30%
• No non-dairy adulterants (starch, hydrogenated fat, etc.)

Burfi / Barfi

• Made from khoya, sugar, and nuts — must meet standards for all constituent ingredients
• Colours used must be from the permitted list in FSSAI regulations
• Silver leaf (vark) used on sweets must be genuine silver — aluminium vark is prohibited

Rasgulla / Rasmalai

• Made from chhena (fresh paneer) and sugar syrup
• No preservatives in fresh rasgulla (shelf life is only 2–3 days at room temperature)
• Packaged rasgulla must be refrigerated and labeled with a short use-by date

Labelling Requirements for Packaged Sweets

If you sell sweets in boxes or sealed packaging (e.g., gift boxes for festivals), FSSAI labelling requirements apply:

• Name of each sweet and quantity
• FSSAI license/registration number
• Ingredients list (important for allergen declarations — nuts, milk, wheat)
• Best Before date (critical for perishable sweets like rasgulla and gulab jamun)
• Storage instructions ("Store in a cool, dry place" or "Keep refrigerated")
• MRP inclusive of all taxes
• Name and address of manufacturer

Common FSSAI Violations in Sweet Shops

• Using banned colours (metanil yellow in ladoos, synthetic lake colours in kaju katli)
• Selling sweets beyond their shelf life ("expired sweets")
• Selling loose/unpackaged sweets in unhygienic conditions without covers
• Using adulterated khoya or low-quality ghee
• Not displaying FSSAI registration certificate
• Selling silver-coloured sweets decorated with aluminium vark

Conclusion

Running a sweet shop or halwai business in India requires FSSAI compliance at every level — from the quality of ingredients to the hygiene of the preparation area to the labelling on your gift boxes. With FSSAI becoming increasingly active in surveillance (especially during Diwali and other festivals), getting your documentation right is essential. Velco Legal India can help you obtain the right FSSAI registration or license for your sweet shop and prepare your business for inspections.