Registration & licensing
Running Several Kinds of Business Under One Licence
Several food-business activities at the same premises can require multiple KoB endorsements in the appropriate authorisation. Assess the complete activity combination and current eligibility. A licence for one role should not be treated as blanket permission for every operation at that address.
By the MyFoodLicense team Sources checked 3 min read
In this guide
Build an activity matrix
List activities down the page and entities and premises across it. Record manufacturing, wholesale, retail, storage, import or other roles only where they occur. This makes it easier to see whether the question is several activities at one site or a network of separate sites.
Resolve route conflicts before filing
Different KoBs can have different eligibility and document requirements. If one selected activity requires Central licensing, do not rely on the ordinary registration band for the others to settle the combined application. Check the relevant current rows and the live FoSCoS treatment of the combination. Read the eligibility table.
Describe products and operations consistently
The application should connect the selected activities to the actual products and process. A wholesaler adding repacking changes how food is handled and introduces manufacturing-related responsibilities. Keep premises evidence, equipment, hygiene arrangements and product scope coherent with the proposed endorsements.
Distinguish an added activity from another premises
Adding a KoB at an existing site is not the same as authorising a new factory or warehouse. Where legal entities differ, establish who needs which authorisation. The fact that two businesses share an address or owner does not settle their regulatory responsibilities. Read the multi-location guide.
Maintain a controlled scope register
Record the certificate number, KoBs, products, sites and pending changes. Before entering a new contract, compare its activities with that register. If a modification is required, identify supporting evidence and the point at which the new activity may legally begin. Review the modification process.
A worked example
Hypothetical example
A distributor begins dividing bulk spices into retail packs at its warehouse. The activity matrix shows that repacking introduces a different role from distributing sealed products. The business reviews the route, site controls and endorsement changes before presenting the existing distribution licence as sufficient.
Your practical checklist
- Map activities against entities and premises.
- Check each relevant KoB row.
- Resolve the combined route in FoSCoS.
- Connect products and evidence to every activity.
- Separate site additions from KoB additions.
- Keep a current endorsement register.
Download this preparation checklist
For help applying this review to your business, explore our Multiple KOB Assessment service. Bring the documents described above so the consultation can focus on the decisions still unresolved.
Frequently asked questions
Can one authorisation contain several KoBs?
Assess the eligible activities at the same premises and the appropriate route for their combination.
Does one licence cover every business I own?
No. Entity, site and activity boundaries still matter.
Can I add repacking to distribution?
Review the route, evidence and modification needed for the added handling activity.
Do several KoBs mean several government fees?
Check the live application and applicable fee rules rather than multiplying a generic fee by the number of activities.
Can I start while a modification is pending?
Establish the operative position for the added activity; a pending request alone is not evidence of endorsement.
Official sources and further reading
Checked on 2 October 2026. Gazette notifications and operative directions prevail over compilations and summaries, including this guide.
- FoSCoS revised Kind-of-Business eligibility table, 2 April 2026 file: Activity-specific eligibility and annual fees. The PDF itself is marked updated 1 April 2026; relevant rows appear on pages 3, 6, 7 and 9.
- Official FoSCoS application portal: Official applications, help topics, current document lists and eligibility information.
- FSSAI licensing and registration FAQs, 26 July 2022: Online document submission and general application concepts only. Old turnover, validity, renewal and fee guidance is superseded by 2026 sources.
This guide is general information, not legal advice; the right route depends on your product and business facts. Examples marked hypothetical are illustrations, not client cases. MyFoodLicense is an independent consultancy and is not affiliated with FSSAI; applications are decided by the competent authority on the official FoSCoS portal.