Start with the paperwork
Before choosing a channel, check your food licence position. FSSAI's eligibility document (updated April 2026) lists e-commerce as its own kind of business, with a central licence fee of Rs 7,500 a year. It does not say whether a producer who sells only its own products online counts, so ask FSSAI or the helpdesk on FoSCoS.
The FSSAI licensing FAQ also says the 14-digit licence or registration number must be shown on cash receipts, invoices and bills.
Route 1: your own website
A website lets you describe products in your own words and control the order experience. It also means you handle payments, delivery and customer queries. Ask yourself these questions first.
- Can you pack and dispatch orders reliably, and what will you do about damage or delay?
- Will the website text match the label on the pack?
- Do you have the FSSAI number and other registrations the platform or payment provider may ask for?
On that second point, an FSSAI advisory to e-commerce operators, as summarised by Food Safety Standard, says that claims not shown on the product packaging should not appear online.
Route 2: WhatsApp
WhatsApp's own announcement of Catalogs describes them as a mobile storefront in the WhatsApp Business app, where a business lists goods with price, description and product code. It was announced in November 2019 for countries including India, so check the current app for what is offered today.
WhatsApp suits repeat customers and neighbours who already know you, because they can ask questions directly. It does not build a public shop by itself, and orders and payments need your own system.
Route 3: marketplaces and ONDC
On marketplaces, buyers come to the platform, and you meet its rules and fees. The FSSAI advisory summary says platforms must not list a food seller without showing the seller's valid FSSAI licence or registration. It also mentions a minimum remaining shelf life at delivery of 30 percent or at least 45 days.
The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) was launched by DPIIT, India's Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, on 31 December 2021. Wikipedia describes it as a set of specifications, not an app. Sellers join through seller-side applications and can list on several buyer apps at once.
Wikipedia also reports commissions of 8 to 10 percent on ONDC against 18 to 40 percent on traditional marketplaces. Treat such figures as a starting point, and read each platform's current terms yourself.
A sensible way to begin
- Fix the licence position and labels first.
- Start with one channel you can serve well, such as WhatsApp for known customers.
- Test packing and delivery with a few orders before adding more channels.
- Add a website or marketplace once the basics run smoothly.
We make no promise about how much any channel will sell. Results depend on product, price, trust and delivery.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an FSSAI number to sell food online?
FSSAI documents require food businesses to be registered or licensed, and platforms are advised to list only sellers who show a valid FSSAI number. Check your own case on FoSCoS.
Is ONDC an app I download?
No. Wikipedia describes ONDC as a set of specifications. Sellers join through seller-side applications.
Can I sell only through WhatsApp?
WhatsApp Business offers catalogs for listing products, but food-law rules on licensing and labelling still apply to the products you sell.