Report

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has urged all quick commerce and e-commerce platforms to adhere to food safety regulations during a meeting held on November 12.

Immediate Compliance or Penalties

As per reports, FSSAI directed the platforms to comply immediately with these regulations or face penalties. The food safety authority also emphasized the importance of following the Food Safety and Standards Amendment Regulations of 2020. Under these rules, sellers and platforms must ensure that food products have at least 30% of their shelf life remaining or a minimum of 45 days before their expiration date.

Training and Health Standards for Delivery Personnel

Additionally, FSSAI instructed platforms to train delivery personnel in proper food handling practices and mandated medical testing for the delivery staff. Moreover, the food regulator could investigate quick commerce and e-commerce platforms for violating food safety regulations. Earlier in October, the government issued notices to several platforms for failing to comply with the Legal Metrology Act, which governs the manufacturing and sale of packaged products in India.

Consumer Concerns About Expiring Products

FSSAI’s action follows a study by the community platform LocalCircles, which revealed that an increasing number of consumers have complained about online platforms offering products with significantly reduced shelf lives. The study, based on 12,000 responses, found that 57% of consumers reported that most platforms fail to display the “best before” date on packaged food items for human consumption.

A Positive Step Forward

Sachin Taparia, Founder of LocalCircles, who raised the issue with the FSSAI CEO and the Consumer Affairs Secretary in October, described the regulatory meeting as a positive step. “FSSAI must now ensure that platforms comply without delay and stop selling packaged products that are close to their expiration date,” Taparia said. “Additionally, Legal Metrology and CCPA must ensure that all online platforms follow PCR 2017 and display the best before dates for food items on their apps, enabling consumers to make informed decisions.” As the market for quick commerce platforms grows, the government has increased its oversight to ensure these platforms meet food safety regulations.

Source: Outlook