The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has issued a detailed advisory on safety compliance for e-commerce companies on Tuesday, in the wake of mounting consumer complaints related to food products sold online.
The food regulator has outlined six-key measures that e-commerce platforms must implement to ensure consumer safety and product integrity. It has mandated that only claims substantiated on product packaging should appear on online platforms. "This measure is crucial to prevent the dissemination of misleading or unsupported claims, which could result in regulatory action and a loss of consumer trust," it stated.
NDTV Profit reported on this issue on Nov. 12.
Among other critical points, the e-commerce companies are urged to prioritise the training of their last-mile delivery personnel and ensure that their staff are well-versed in food safety protocols. This training should cover safe handling of food to prevent the risk of contamination during transit, as well as personal hygiene and proper sanitisation procedures. Additionally, the companies must ensure that food and non-food items are delivered separately to avoid the risk of cross-contamination.
Furthermore, the advisory stipulates that all products listed on e-commerce platforms must comply with the FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020. This regulation requires that food products have a minimum shelf life of 30% or at least 45 days remaining before the expiry date at the time of delivery, ensuring that consumers receive fresh products.
E-commerce platforms are also required to prominently display the FSSAI license of sellers to enhance transparency. Sellers must also have their hygiene ratings displayed on the platform, allowing consumers to make informed choices based on food safety standards, according to the advisory.
To uphold these new guidelines, the FSSAI has declared that no e-commerce player shall list any seller without a valid FSSAI license or registration. This move is aimed at eradicating unregistered sellers from the marketplace and ensuring that food products meet the necessary safety standards.
Earlier in November, the FSSAI met with executives of e-commerce and quick commerce players along with a host of sellers. They were directed to take immediate action to align with these guidelines, as the FSSAI is likely to enforce compliance rigorously in the coming months.
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