A meeting organized by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) with food businesses that operate online (called e-commerce Food Business Operators or FBOs) was held on 12th November 2024. FSSAI CEO Ganji Kamala V. Rao led the meeting to remind the important rules that businesses must follow to ensure the safety and reliability of the food they sell to consumers.
New guidelines have been set up by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for e-commerce platforms that sell food products online. For example- online food delivery platforms like Swiggy, Zomato, and Big Basket. The goal is to create a trustworthy marketplace online for consumers where they can buy food without worrying about its quality or safety. The CEO stressed that the goal is to protect the health of consumers and make sure that the e-commerce food industry is reliable, transparent, and trustworthy.
Over 200 participants, including industry representatives and regulatory officials, were a part of the meeting which shows the commitment of FSSAI to strengthening food safety in India’s growing online food sector. This is one dedicated effort to strengthen food safety in India’s growing digital food marketplace.
Key Points from the Meeting
Some of the significant points from the meeting are mentioned below-
Shelf-Life of Food Products- FSSAI made it clear that when food is sold online, there must be enough time left to use the product before it expires. The rule says that the e-commerce FBOs must ensure the product has at least 30% of its shelf life remaining or at least 45 days before the expiry date when it reaches the consumer. This way, the consumer can have fresh food which is safe to eat.
No False or Misleading Claims– The claims on the product must align with the information provided on the product labels. The FSSAI CEO also warned businesses about making unsupported claims online. This means that if a seller claims their food is “100% sugar-free,” these claims must be backed by facts. The product claims must adhere to the FSSAI’s Labelling and Display Regulations. This way, consumers can prevent themselves from buying something based on misleading information and businesses can build their trust towards their customers.
Valid FSSAI License or Registration- Another important emphasis in the meeting was the Valid FSSAI License or registration. FSSAI’s license is like a stamp of approval. This ensures that the food product follows the safety standards set by FSSAI. It serves as proof of properly regulated business and food safety for consumption.
Training Delivery Personnel on Food Safety– The CEO furthermore instructed to train their delivery staff properly in food safety and hygiene. Food Safety is important from the initial stage at a warehouse till delivery to consumers at the doorstep. It is important to educate the workers on handling the food safely, and ensuring the right temperature and cleanliness during transportation. Improper handling during delivery could cause contamination or spoilage.
Separate Delivery of Food and Non-Food Items- It was recommended at the meeting that food items should be separately delivered from non-food items. This prevents the chance of contamination. There are a lot of popular platforms that provide delivery within 10 minutes at your doorsteps. FSSAI has strictly made it clear to these platforms to follow the safety rules no matter how quickly it reaches the customer. Certain non-food items can be harmful if kept together with the food items. For example- A consumer ordered Hit (Cockroach killer spray) and apples. Keeping them together can contaminate the food.
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FSSAI Emphasizes Food Safety for E-commerce Platforms
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Transparency and Accountability in E-Commerce Food Sales– At last, the CEO of FSSAI concluded the meeting by emphasizing the need for a transparent, compliant, and accountable e-commerce food sector. This protects consumer health and fosters confidence in digital food marketplaces.
Earlier this month, i.e., in its 45th Central Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting on November 7, FSSAI asked states to take a closer look at the following:
Regulating Warehouse and Surveillance- States were asked to timely monitor and increase the surveillance in warehouses of e-commerce operators and issue standard operating procedures (SOPs) as well as delivery personnel of these platforms.
Increased Monitoring During Tourist Season– The busy tourist season is starting, from November to March. FSSAI, to ensure the health of both locals and tourists, urged the states and union territories to do more inspections and use mobile vans to check food safety on the go. This is particularly because tourists might not always be familiar with local food safety practices.
Importance of the Latest FSSAI Guidelines
The guidelines provided by the FSSAI in the meeting with the food businesses that operate online are very important. Following are some reasons why these guidelines are important:
Protection from Substandard or Expired Food: With increased popularity, consumer complaints regarding the food items delivered have also been increasing. It invites potential health risks and a bad shopping experience. A new rule of at least 30% shelf or 45 days before expiry, ensures that consumers receive fresh food.
Accurate Product Information: Customers get disappointed when the product label that made them buy it doesn’t meet their expectations. A warning from the authority that the product claims must adhere to the FSSAI’s Labelling and Display Regulations builds trust and helps prevent false advertising.
Food Safety: When food is stored and handled carefully during delivery there’s very little chance that it gets contaminated or unsafe to eat. According to the guidelines, proper training will be provided to such staff responsible for carrying out these works.
Increasing Transparency and Trust in Online Food Marketplaces: E-commerce platforms are responsible for ensuring their sellers follow food safety standards. This way, it increases transparency. Consumers without any uncertainties can buy food products.
Holding E-Commerce Platforms Accountable: E-commerce platforms are responsible for making sure their sellers follow and comply with the FSSAI rules because they will be held accountable for the safety of foods. It encourages platforms to take food safety seriously.
Consumer-Friendly Online Food Market: With the growth of the online food market, it is very important to make sure the food market remains safe to keep growing and thrive with strong customer trust. The guidelines highlighted in the meeting intend to create a safe and reliable environment for consumers to shop for food online.
Conclusion
FSSAI is reinforcing the need for food businesses operating online to follow strict safety and transparency rules. With the significant growth of e-commerce food businesses, it was very important to set up guidelines for the businesses to ensure that these businesses are following the same food safety rules that apply to traditional stores and restaurants.
FSSAI’s new guidelines aim to make online food sales safer and more reliable for consumers. Visit https://corpbiz.io/ for easy and seamless FSSAI registration and securing FSSAI state license.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the FSSAI?
The FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) is a regulatory body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare responsible for ensuring the safety and quality of food products in India. It sets standards for food products and monitors their compliance across various sectors, including e-commerce platforms.
What new rules has FSSAI set for e-commerce food businesses?
The new rules set by FSSAI for e-commerce food businesses include ensuring that food products sold online must have at least 30% of their shelf life remaining when delivered, adhering to accurate labelling, maintaining a valid FSSAI license, training delivery personnel on food safety, and ensuring separate delivery of food and non-food items.
What does it mean for food products to have “at least 30% shelf life remaining”?
This rule means that when a food product is delivered to the consumer, it should have at least 30% of its shelf life still available or at least 45 days before it expires. This ensures that the consumer gets fresh, safe food.
What is an FSSAI license or registration?
An FSSAI license or registration is a certification provided by the FSSAI to businesses that meet food safety standards. It ensures that the food business complies with safety regulations and follows proper handling and hygiene practices.
What are the benefits of the new set-up FSSAI guidelines?
The benefits are as follows;
– Ensure the food you order online is fresh and safe to eat,
– Prevent misleading product claims,
– Make sure businesses are properly licensed and regulated,
– Improve the safety of food handling during delivery, and
– Ensure that food and non-food items are delivered separately to avoid contamination.Do all e-commerce food businesses need an FSSAI license?
Yes, all e-commerce food businesses, including food delivery platforms and sellers, need a valid FSSAI license or registration. It helps ensure food safety and consumer protection.
Can platforms bypass these rules if they deliver quickly?
No, the speed of delivery does not exempt platforms from following the rules. Food safety, hygiene, and labelling regulations must be followed regardless of delivery time.
What steps is FSSAI taking to monitor food safety at warehouses?
FSSAI has urged state authorities to monitor warehouses of e-commerce operators more closely. This includes enforcing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for food storage and delivery personnel to ensure food safety throughout the supply chain.
What are Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in this context?
SOPs are guidelines set by FSSAI that outline safe practices for storing, handling, and delivering food. These procedures are created to ensure consistency and maintain safety at e-commerce company warehouses and during the delivery process.
What role do e-commerce platforms play in food safety?
E-commerce platforms are responsible for ensuring that their food sellers comply with FSSAI guidelines. They must verify that the food products listed are safe, correctly labelled, and handled properly during storage and delivery.
Read our blog: Importance of FSSAI Registration for Repackers in Food Industry
