FSSAI issues advisory to strengthen food safety in eCommerce sector

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued an advisory aimed at ensuring robust food safety compliance among eCommerce Food Business Operators (FBOs). With the exponential growth of e-commerce in the food sector, adherence to food safety regulations has become critical to ensure the quality, safety, and authenticity of food products sold online.

This initiative aligns with FSSAI’s mission to enhance transparency and foster consumer trust while mitigating risks associated with foodborne illnesses and fraudulent practices. Key highlights of the advisory:

Training of delivery personnel - eCommerce FBOs must prioritize training last-mile delivery personnel in food safety and hygiene practices. This includes:

• Safe handling and transportation of food to prevent contamination.

• Maintaining personal hygiene and proper sanitization procedures.

• Ensuring separate delivery of food and non-food items to avoid cross-contamination.

Product label compliance - All claims made online must align with the information provided on the product’s physical label. Unsubstantiated or misleading claims are prohibited to maintain regulatory compliance and consumer trust. eCommerce platforms must adhere to the FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020.

Shelf-life requirements - Food products delivered through e-commerce platforms must have a minimum remaining shelf life of 30% or at least 45 days before expiry at the time of delivery.

Display of FSSAI credentials - eCommerce platforms are encouraged to prominently display the FSSAI License/Registration numbers of sellers and Hygiene Ratings of the food business operators. Listing any food business operator without a valid FSSAI; License/Registration is strictly prohibited.

This advisory underscores FSSAI’s commitment to maintaining high standards of food safety and consumer transparency in the rapidly growing e-commerce sector.