From Cart to Kitchen: FSSAI Demands a Clean Plate from Online Food Sellers

Image Source: Food Safety Helpline

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has warned e-commerce and quick commerce platforms with "severe action" if they fail to comply with food safety standards. This comes in the wake of rising consumer complaints and recent state-level raids on hygiene at dark stores and warehouses.

Key Highlights

High-Level Meeting: Over 70 representatives of leading e-commerce and fast commerce platforms attended a meeting led by FSSAI CEO G Kamala Vardhana Rao. Agenda: strengthening food safety and hygiene in the online food supply chain on an immediate basis.

Compulsory FSSAI Credential Display: All mediums shall prominently display the FSSAI license or registration number on all consumer receipts, invoices, and cash memos.

Warehouse & Storage Transparency: The online operators are required to display complete details of all warehouses and storage facilities on the FoSCoS portal, including periodic uploading of photos. All such facilities are required to be registered or licensed by the FSSAI.

Compulsory Training: All food handlers, including delivery personnel, must undergo FSSAI's FoSTaC (Food Safety Training & Certification) scheme. Companies must submit detailed training schedules and timelines to the regulator.

Shelf Life & Expiry: FSSAI is considering making it obligatory to show "Date of Expiry/Use By" on food at the consumer level. Products to be dispatched must be 30% of shelf life or a minimum of 45 days from the date of expiry at the dispatch point.

Consumer Awareness: The Food Safety Connect App must be promoted on all consumer-facing materials so that customers are empowered to report violations and obtain access to food safety information.

Data Sharing: Companies will have to provide detailed information regarding their warehouses, food handlers, and other activities to FSSAI for surveillance.

Zero Tolerance: Rao insisted that any infraction will be "dealt with extreme seriousness," with the threat of severe punitive measures, including surprise inspections and legal action.

This sweeping order signals a new era of openness and accountability for India's burgeoning online food business, aimed at safeguarding millions of consumers.

Source: The Economic Times, The Hindu Business Line, Moneycontrol

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