July 29, 2025

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has taken a significant step to ensure food safety compliance among e-commerce platforms by serving notices to 526 food storage facilities after conducting 8,143 inspections over the fiscal year 2024-25. Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Jitin Prasada, disclosed this information during a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, addressing concerns regarding food safety regulations. These inspections aimed to identify and penalize violations in the handling and storage of food items sold online, highlighting the importance of adhering to strict food safety standards. The government has been proactive in monitoring food safety in the rapidly growing e-commerce industry, which has seen an increased volume of food sales online, especially during the pandemic. Over the last two years, the FSSAI has held five meetings with e-commerce food business operators, underlining essential regulatory expectations. These discussions have focused on several key areas, including training delivery personnel in food safety protocols, ensuring comprehensive product labeling, establishing traceability for storage facilities, and enhancing complaint handling practices. The inquiries that led to these inspections were partly a response to questions raised by Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi, who highlighted reports of hygiene violations and the absence of necessary food business licenses at dark stores operated by quick commerce platforms in cities like Pune, Gurugram, and Bengaluru. Inadequate compliance with hygiene and licensing norms not only poses risks to public health but also undermines consumer trust in e-commerce food sales. In its discharge of duties, the FSSAI has made it clear that e-commerce food business operators (FBOs) have specific responsibilities. Since 2018, FSSAI has laid down procedures for the licensing and registration of e-commerce platforms, mandating that all sellers listed on these platforms must hold valid licenses. Additionally, e-commerce platforms must provide mandatory food information, ensuring consumers have access to necessary details about the food products they purchase, such as nutritional information and allergens. Moreover, they must actively monitor and delist any non-compliant products from their systems promptly. To address compliance issues, the FSSAI collaborates with the Commissioners of Food Safety in various states and union territories. They convene a Central Advisory Committee meeting every three months to discuss and strategize on food safety enforcement practices across the nation. This systematic approach demonstrates the FSSAI's commitment to fostering a safe food environment in e-commerce and addressing any lapses swiftly. As consumer reliance on digital platforms continues to increase, maintaining stringent oversight of food safety practices is essential. The growing number of e-commerce food vendors must rise to the challenge of ensuring product safety and regulatory compliance to uphold public health standards and maintain consumer confidence in the market. For consumers, this development serves as a reminder of the importance of being aware of the sources of their food purchases. With reports emerging about breaches of food safety norms among certain dark stores, it's prudent for buyers to stay informed and vigilant regarding the brands they choose to engage with. Ultimately, continuing dialogues between government authorities and food business operators will be pivotal in shaping a safe and trusted e-commerce food landscape in India.

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Tags: Fssai, Ecommerce, Food safety, Inspections, Regulations,