What Exactly Is Changing?
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has moved to clarify and strengthen its authority over food businesses operating within airports. A key directive issued on April 6, 2026, officially expanded the jurisdiction of Central Food Safety Officers
to explicitly include major international airports like those in Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, and Kolkata. This closes a potential grey area, ensuring that all food vendors, from restaurants and cafes to lounges and flight kitchens, fall under a unified central oversight. Furthermore, a recent order on July 27, 2026, appointed a specific Designated Officer for central licensing at airports, reinforcing this streamlined command structure. This ends any ambiguity about whether state or central authorities are responsible, placing the onus squarely on FSSAI's central command to monitor, inspect, and enforce food safety standards in these high-traffic transit hubs.
Why Was This Clarification Needed?
Previously, the lines of regulatory responsibility for food business operators (FBOs) at airports could be blurry. While all FBOs are required to have an FSSAI license under the 2006 Act, jurisdiction could sometimes be a point of confusion between state and central food safety authorities. Airports are unique environments, often considered under central government purview, yet hosting businesses that might otherwise fall under state licensing based on turnover. This ambiguity could potentially lead to gaps in enforcement. High-profile incidents of poor food quality on flights and at terminals have kept the issue in the public eye. Reports of contaminated meals have highlighted the need for rigorous, consistent, and unambiguous oversight across the entire airline food supply chain, from the kitchen that prepares the meal to the airline that serves it.
A More Streamlined Licensing Process
The new direction is part of a broader push by FSSAI to simplify compliance while strengthening enforcement. For instance, recent advisories have clarified the specific type of license required. Flight kitchens must now register as a “Food Services (Caterer)”. Airlines that serve this food only need one head office FSSAI license covering their catering services nationwide, rather than separate licenses for each state they operate in. However, if they also sell pre-packaged food, they must add “Retailer” to their license. This streamlined approach is complemented by major reforms effective April 1, 2026, which include perpetual validity for licenses (eliminating the need for periodic renewals) and revised turnover thresholds for different license categories, aimed at reducing the administrative burden on businesses.
What It Means for Food Businesses
For the hundreds of food vendors operating in India's airports, the new directive provides absolute clarity on who their regulator is. All FBOs at major airports will now deal directly with Central Food Safety Officers for licensing, inspections, and compliance. This unified jurisdiction aims to make standards consistent across the country's key travel hubs. Businesses must also adhere to strict labelling rules, ensuring that prepared food served on flights includes details like the caterer's name, FSSAI license number, and the date and time of packaging. While the introduction of perpetual licenses reduces paperwork, businesses will now be subject to a technology-enabled, risk-based inspection framework, where the frequency of audits depends on factors like their compliance history and the type of food they serve.
How This Affects Travellers
For the millions of passengers who pass through Indian airports daily, this move is designed to translate into safer, more reliable food options. With a clearer chain of command, it becomes easier for FSSAI to enforce hygiene standards and conduct surprise checks. The enhanced labelling requirements provide greater transparency, allowing you to see who prepared your food and when. Perhaps most importantly, it clarifies the process for addressing grievances. FSSAI has been encouraging airlines to make passengers aware of their Food Safety Connect App, providing a direct channel for lodging complaints about food quality. With designated central officers for airports, these complaints can be routed more efficiently to the correct authority, ensuring a faster and more accountable response to any food safety concerns.
