The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has intensified its oversight of e-commerce and quick-commerce platforms. Over the past three months, FSSAI and state food safety officers have issued around 350 improvement notices to major online platforms. This crackdown targets food safety violations, particularly concerning the sale of expired or near-expiry products.
These actions follow numerous inspections and raids conducted by FSSAI and state food commissioners. In total, authorities carried out about 180 inspections across India. Sources indicate that most improvement notices were issued in South India, while the Northern region saw the next highest number. The highest number of raids, however, took place in North India, with the Western region following closely.
FSSAI’s Focus on Food Safety in the Digital Age
With the rise of e-commerce and quick-commerce, online platforms have changed how Indians shop for groceries and food. Consumers can now purchase items at any time, with delivery available within hours. However, this convenience has also introduced challenges related to food safety and quality control.
FSSAI, as India’s primary regulatory body for food safety, is responsible for ensuring that all food sold in India meets strict safety standards. The surge of online food sales has prompted FSSAI to increase its scrutiny of digital platforms, especially as incidents of expired or nearly expired items reaching consumers have surfaced.
Key Findings from FSSAI Inspections and Raids
Over the past three months, FSSAI inspections uncovered several issues across e-commerce and quick-commerce platforms. The top concerns identified include:
- Sale of Expired or Near-Expiry Products: Some platforms were found selling food items close to or past their expiry dates. This poses health risks, as consuming expired food can lead to food poisoning and other illnesses.
- Improper Storage Conditions: Certain food items were reportedly stored in unsuitable conditions, leading to compromised quality and potential contamination.
- Mislabeling or Lack of Information: FSSAI found instances of incorrect or incomplete labeling on products, including missing expiry dates and manufacturing details. Such omissions violate labeling standards and mislead consumers about the product’s freshness.
These findings highlight the need for stricter controls and prompt corrective actions from online platforms to prioritize consumer safety.
Regional Distribution of Notices and Raids
The geographic distribution of FSSAI’s actions provides insights into regional variations in food safety compliance:
- South India: This region received the most improvement notices, indicating high levels of non-compliance among platforms operating in these states.
- Northern Region: The second-highest number of improvement notices was issued here. Additionally, North India saw the most raids, underscoring FSSAI’s heightened vigilance in this area.
- Western Region: This area also witnessed several raids, emphasizing the importance of thorough checks across regions to maintain national food safety standards.
These regional insights suggest that FSSAI may adopt targeted approaches, focusing resources on areas where violations are more frequent.
Improvement Notices: What They Mean
An improvement notice is a formal communication from FSSAI to a company indicating that specific issues must be addressed to meet regulatory standards. These notices detail the violations observed and set a timeline for the company to resolve them. Failure to comply within the stipulated period can lead to penalties, including license suspensions or closures.
The 350 improvement notices issued to online platforms serve as a clear warning from FSSAI. They underscore the expectation that companies will make significant improvements to their food safety practices. For consumers, this step indicates FSSAI’s commitment to ensuring safe, quality food across all sales channels, including online marketplaces.
Upcoming Central Advisory Committee Meeting
FSSAI’s crackdown is set to be a central topic at the upcoming Central Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting in Delhi on November 7 and 8. This meeting will bring together key stakeholders, including state food commissioners, industry representatives, and policymakers.
The main agenda will focus on:
- Expired and Near-Expiry Products: Discussing strategies to prevent online platforms from selling such items, particularly through stronger penalties and stricter monitoring protocols.
- Quality Control and Storage Standards: Reviewing the conditions required for storing and handling perishable items in warehouses to ensure that products remain safe throughout their shelf life.
- Labeling and Transparency: Emphasizing the need for clear labeling practices that inform consumers about the freshness of their food. This includes displaying clear expiry dates, manufacturing details, and storage instructions.
The CAC meeting reflects FSSAI’s intent to address the unique challenges posed by digital food platforms. As the demand for online shopping continues to rise, ensuring that these platforms adhere to safety standards becomes increasingly critical.
What E-commerce and Quick-Commerce Platforms Must Do
To align with FSSAI’s regulations, e-commerce and quick-commerce platforms need to prioritize several key areas:
- Strict Expiry Tracking: Platforms must implement systems to track the expiry dates of their products accurately. Automated alerts for items nearing expiration can help remove these products from listings before they pose risks.
- Regular Quality Audits: Conducting routine quality checks ensures that products meet safety standards. This includes verifying storage conditions and inspecting packaging to prevent contamination.
- Clear and Accurate Labeling: Platforms must enforce strict guidelines for product labeling, ensuring that each item lists the correct expiry date, manufacturing details, and usage instructions.
- Consumer Feedback Mechanisms: Platforms should encourage customers to report any expired or defective items promptly. Such feedback mechanisms help identify gaps in quality control and allow companies to take corrective actions.
By focusing on these areas, online platforms can mitigate risks and align more closely with FSSAI’s safety standards. For consumers, these changes represent steps toward a safer online shopping experience.
Consumer Awareness: How to Stay Safe
Consumers can take proactive steps to ensure the food they purchase online is safe:
- Check Expiry Dates: Always review the expiry date upon receiving a product. If an item appears near or past its expiry, report it immediately to the platform’s customer service.
- Inspect Packaging: Verify that packaging is intact and shows no signs of tampering. Damaged packaging may indicate poor handling or storage conditions.
- Review Storage Instructions: For perishable items, follow any specific storage instructions to keep the product fresh. Ensure that cold storage items arrive in proper packaging to maintain temperature.
- Provide Feedback: If you experience issues with food quality, report it to the platform. This feedback helps improve their processes and enhances overall safety standards.
By being vigilant, consumers can help maintain food safety and hold platforms accountable for quality.
FSSAI’s Role in Protecting Public Health
The FSSAI’s recent actions reflect its ongoing commitment to public health. As the primary authority overseeing food safety, FSSAI plays a critical role in adapting regulations to new trends, such as the rise of online food sales. By enforcing strict standards and conducting regular inspections, FSSAI works to ensure that all food products in the market, whether offline or online, meet safety guidelines.
FSSAI’s proactive measures signal its dedication to building a safer food ecosystem in India. Its efforts, combined with cooperation from state food commissioners and compliance from companies, help protect consumers in a rapidly evolving market.
Conclusion: A Strong Message for E-commerce Platforms
FSSAI’s actions against e-commerce and quick-commerce platforms send a clear message: food safety is non-negotiable. As online platforms become integral to daily life, companies must adopt robust measures to ensure food quality and transparency. The 350 improvement notices and 180 inspections underscore FSSAI’s zero-tolerance approach toward negligence in food safety.
The upcoming Central Advisory Committee meeting will further reinforce these standards, paving the way for more stringent regulations. For e-commerce and quick-commerce platforms, this marks a pivotal moment to align their practices with FSSAI’s expectations. By addressing these challenges head-on, they can build greater consumer trust and contribute to a safer food industry in India.