FSSAI warns e-commerce platforms over food safety lapses

MUMBAI: Food regulator FSSAI warned e-commerce platforms of "severe action" if they fail to comply with food safety protocols. In a meeting on Tuesday with companies, CEO G Kamala Vardhana Rao directed platforms to share data pertaining to their warehouses, food handlers, and other relevant information with the authority to ensure transparency and compliance. They were also asked to "prominently display" their FSSAI licence number on every receipt, invoice, and cash memo provided to consumers.

"The focus of the meeting was to strengthen food safety and hygiene practices throughout the entire e-commerce food supply chain. 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 (Food Safety Compliance System) portal," FSSAI said in a statement. The possibility of displaying the date of expiry/use by for food products at the consumer interface was also discussed.

The development comes at a time when quick commerce platforms have come under scrutiny over food safety violations. Last month, the Maharashtra Food & Drug Administration (FDA) department suspended food business licenses of Zepto's Dharavi dark store and another managed by Blinkit in Pune's Balewadi area over food safety lapses and regulatory non-compliance. The licences were reinstated following inspection by authorities and adherence to compliance by the platforms. Several brands have started tightening their terms of contract with platforms and are renegotiating clauses related to storage, handling, and hygiene with them following the instances, TOI had reported.

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