GUWAHATI: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has released an advisory aimed at enhancing food safety compliance among e-commerce food business operators (FBOs).
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In the advisory issued on December 3, FSSAI highlights the critical role of last-mile delivery personnel in maintaining food safety, as e-commerce FBOs are urged to prioritise their training in hygiene and safe food handling practices. It also mandates that food and non-food items must be transported separately to minimise cross-contamination risks, thereby safeguarding public health.
Additionally, the FSSAI has stipulated that any claims made on e-commerce platforms must align strictly with the details on the product's physical label. Misleading or unverified claims could lead to regulatory penalties and a loss of consumer trust. To ensure compliance, the advisory reminds FBOs to adhere to the FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020.
A third notable measure includes a mandate on shelf life. Food products delivered through e-commerce platforms must have at least 30% of their shelf life remaining or a minimum of 45 days before expiry at the time of delivery. This requirement is intended to maintain product quality for consumers.
To enhance transparency, the advisory further encourages e-commerce platforms to prominently display the FSSAI licence or registration numbers and hygiene ratings of food sellers. This measure allows customers to make informed purchasing decisions while reinforcing trust in online food marketplaces.
Finally, the advisory reaffirms that no food seller should be listed on an e-commerce platform without displaying their valid FSSAI licence or registration.