FSSAI warns e-commerce, quick commerce platform against flouting food safety norms
Officials directed e-commerce entities to ensure their FSSAI license or registration numbers are prominently displayed on every receipt, invoice and cash memo provided to consumers
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RUGVED LELE
The Food Safety and Standards of India (FSSAI) in a meeting on Tuesday warned e-commerce and quick commerce platforms against flouting food safety and hygiene norms, failing which stringent action will be taken. E-commerce platforms were also directed to share data pertaining to their warehouses, food handlers and other relevant information with the FSSAI, in a bid to ensure enhanced transparency and compliance.
This comes after instances of lack of hygiene by the platforms has been flagged and some State governments have also taken action against certain quick commerce entities.
The meeting was attended by over 70 representatives of the quick commerce and e-commerce companies. Emphasising that food safety is of paramount importance, FSSAI CEO G Kamala Vardhana Rao told the representatives that any non-compliance with food safety protocols “will be viewed with utmost seriousness and potentially lead to severe action.” He underscored the critical importance of food safety in the rapidly expanding online marketplace.
“The focus of the meeting was to strengthen food safety and hygiene practices throughout the entire e-commerce food supply chain,” an official statement added.
During the deliberations, the officials directed all e-commerce entities to ensure their FSSAI license or registration numbers are prominently displayed on every receipt, invoice, and cash memo provided to consumers. “A key emphasis was also placed on the necessity for e-commerce entities to disclose comprehensive details of all warehouses and storage facilities linked to their operations on the FoSCoS portal. The possibility of displaying the “date of expiry/use by” for food products at the consumer interface was also discussed,” the Food Safety Authority’s official statement noted.
Compulsory training
The Authority also directed e-commerce platforms to maintain strict adherence to hygiene and food safety protocols across their supply chain including warehouses and storage facilities. It has also asked the players to ensure that photographs of these facilities are regularly uploaded to the FoSCoS portal. “It was also mandated that all food handlers involved in the process, including e-commerce personnel, must undergo compulsory FSSAI FoSTaC (Food Safety Training & Certification) training in hygiene protocols. Platforms are required to share their training plans and timelines with FSSAI,” the statement added.
FSSAI officials also asked platforms to “meticulously” follow all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and rules stipulated under the FSS Act. They also stressed that all warehouses associated with e-commerce operations must be duly registered or licensed. “E-commerce platforms were directed to share data pertaining to their warehouses, food handlers, and other relevant information with the FSSAI, thereby ensuring enhanced transparency and compliance.
The FSSAI emphasised that every entity involved in the supply chain, from manufacturing to home delivery, is liable for compliance.
Published on July 8, 2025
