How to start an organic food brand in India: Jaivik Bharat, NPOP and FSSAI

Choosing a structure for an organic brand

Organic brands range from farmer groups selling local produce to venture-backed packaged food companies. Farmer groups often use a farmer producer company, which lets members share profits and access agricultural schemes. Brands that buy from farmers, process and market nationally usually form a private limited company.

Certification is tied to the operator, so the entity that holds the NPOP or PGS certificate should be the one that processes or sells. If you outsource processing, the processor must also be certified for the organic chain to remain intact.

Registrations and certifications

Organic status rests on certification; the FSSAI licence alone does not let you call a product organic. The table shows the usual set for a packaged organic brand. Each processor, packer and trader in your supply chain should hold its own valid certificate, and you should keep transaction certificates for every lot you buy.

What the FSSAI organic regulations require

The regulations, enforced from 1 July 2018, recognise NPOP and PGS-India. Under NPOP, a single-ingredient product can be labelled organic, and a multi-ingredient product can be called certified organic if at least 95% of ingredients are certified organic. PGS-India products use 'PGS-Organic' with the same 95% rule for processed products.

Labels must show the certification details, FSSAI logo and licence number, and the Jaivik Bharat logo. Small original producers or producer organisations selling directly to end consumers are exempt from certification up to ₹12 lakh turnover, and small aggregators up to ₹50 lakh can sell their produce, but they cannot use the Jaivik Bharat logo.

GST for organic products

Organic status does not change the GST rate; classification does. Fresh fruit, vegetables and unprocessed grains sold loose are generally exempt, while pre-packaged and labelled items, processed foods and value-added products are taxed at their HSN rates. Many foods moved to 5% on 22 September 2025.

If you sell only exempt produce, you may not need GST registration, but once you add taxable packaged products, track turnover carefully, as exempt sales count towards aggregate turnover for the threshold.

Ongoing compliance

Certification bodies inspect annually and may test samples for residues. Keep records of farm sources, purchase quantities, storage and processing, because traceability is central to organic certification. Separate organic stock from conventional stock in storage and transport.

Retailers and marketplaces selling organic food are expected to display it so that it is not mixed with non-organic products. Renew FSSAI and APEDA registrations on time, and keep certificates current for every supplier. Online listings should show the certification details and Jaivik Bharat logo exactly as on the pack.

Pitfalls for organic brands

Organic fraud attracts penalties under food safety law and destroys consumer trust, so verify certificates for every batch you buy and keep transaction certificates on file.

• Using 'organic' or 'natural organic' wording without NPOP or PGS certification.
• Buying from uncertified traders and relabelling as organic.
• Using the Jaivik Bharat logo under the small producer exemption.
• Mixing organic and conventional stock in shared storage.

Step by step

1. 1Choose the entity

   Farmer producer company, private limited company or LLP.

2. 2Select certification route

   NPOP through an accredited body, or PGS-India for farmer groups.

3. 3Prepare for inspection

   Document sources, storage, processing and traceability.

4. 4Apply for FSSAI

   Obtain the licence category matching turnover and activity.

5. 5Design compliant labels

   Include Jaivik Bharat logo, certification details and FSSAI number.

6. 6Register for exports if needed

   APEDA registration and Import Export Code.

7. 7Maintain records

   Keep transaction certificates and stock segregation logs.