Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (A Statutory Authority established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006) has issued an advisory for strengthen compliances and safeguard interest of consumer. E-commerce in the food sector is growing, making compliance by food business operators important for food safety, quality, and authenticity. It creates transparency and trust, ensuring customers get safe and correctly described products. Complying with regulations helps reduce risks of foodborne illnesses and fraud.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued an advisory for e-commerce Food Business Operators (FBOs) to strengthen food safety compliance. This move aims to safeguard consumer interests and promote transparency and trust in the rapidly growing e-commerce food sector.

Key Requirements for E-commerce FBOs

1. Training on Food Safety and Hygiene: A key need for e-commerce FBOs is to train delivery staff on food safety and hygiene, covering safe food handling and sanitation and hygiene practices
2. Separate Delivery of Food and Non-Food Items: Prevent contamination by delivering food and non-food items separately.
3. Accurate Product Information: Ensure online claims match product labels to avoid misleading information.
4. Minimum Shelf Life E-commerce platforms selling food must ensure a minimum shelf life of either 30% or 45 days before expiry at the time products are delivered. This initiative arose from rising consumer complaints regarding food quality.
5. Display FSSAI License/Registration Numbers and Hygiene Ratings: Build consumer trust by displaying FSSAI License/Registration numbers and Hygiene Ratings. No FBO can sell without showing a valid FSSAI License or Registration.
6. FSSAI Registration – FSSAI underscored that no FBO can sell on e-commerce platforms without a valid FSSAI license or registration.
7. Regulatory compliance is critical to ensure consumer health and maintain consumer trust in e-commerce food marketplaces

FSSAI Initiatives

1. Enhanced Monitoring: State authorities will enhance monitoring in warehouses used by e-commerce operators.
2. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): States will issue SOPs for delivery personnel to ensure food safety.
3. Increased Safety Standards: States will increase safety standards, particularly at tourist locations, during the upcoming tourist season. Enhanced surveillance sampling and mobile food safety units (Food Safety on Wheels) are being deployed for comprehensive oversight.

Benefits of Compliance

1. Reduced Risk of Foodborne Illnesses: Compliance helps reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses and fraud.
2. Consumer Trust: Compliance fosters confidence among consumers in digital food marketplaces.
3. Transparent and Accountable E-commerce Food Sector: The FSSAI aims to establish a transparent and accountable e-commerce food sector to safeguard consumer health.

This structured approach highlights the FSSAI’s proactive measures to address food safety concerns in the rapidly growing e-commerce sector and the regulatory body’s commitment to consumer welfare in India which is prominently required amidst growing online food platforms.

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