3 hrs ago
FSSAI To Intensify Food Safety Checks On E-Commerce Platforms
India’s food-safety regulator plans to check online shopping platforms from October.
These platforms list and sell many food products.
The regulator says the platforms must check whether those products follow food-safety rules.
They cannot simply say they are only websites connecting buyers and sellers.
They must do their own checks before allowing products to be listed.
The move follows concerns about missing health information and consumer complaints.
Times Now Digital has reported on these concerns through its campaign.
The goal is to improve transparency and help consumers make safer choices.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India will begin checking e-commerce platforms from October.
Platforms will be expected to conduct due diligence on products listed through their services.
FSSAI says platforms cannot avoid responsibility by describing themselves only as aggregators or intermediaries.
The action follows concerns about missing health information, consumer complaints, and transparency in online food sales.
Times Now Digital’s campaign has highlighted consumer rights and food-safety issues linked to India’s e-commerce and quick-commerce growth.
- Who
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, e-commerce platforms, consumers, and Times Now Digital’s campaign are involved.
- What
- FSSAI will intensify checks on e-commerce platforms and require them to conduct due diligence on listed food products.
- Where
- The checks will apply to e-commerce and quick-commerce platforms operating in India.
- When
- The checks are scheduled to begin from October.
- Why
- FSSAI says platforms must ensure compliance with food-safety regulations and protect consumers’ access to health information.
Regulatory Accountability
Platform Intermediary Position
Responsibility for listed products
Regulatory Accountability
FSSAI says e-commerce platforms have a responsibility to conduct due diligence and ensure products comply with food-safety rules.
Platform Intermediary Position
Platforms may characterize themselves as aggregators or marketplaces rather than the direct sellers of listed products, although FSSAI rejects that justification.
Consumer information
Regulatory Accountability
Consumer and legal concerns emphasize the need for clear health information and greater transparency in online food sales.
Platform Intermediary Position
The article does not provide a detailed response from e-commerce platforms to these concerns.
Key facts
- Regulator
- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
- Start of checks
- October
- Entities affected
- E-commerce and quick-commerce platforms
- Expected responsibility
- Conduct due diligence and ensure listed products comply with food-safety regulations
- Key concern
- Consumers may not receive adequate health and product information
- Campaign highlighted
- Times Now Digital’s “E-Comms Hiding Health Info” campaign
- Regulatory position
- Platforms cannot rely solely on their role as aggregators or intermediaries
Quotes
Punhani
FSSAI-related official quoted discussing platform accountability and due diligence
“We are holding e-commerce platforms responsible. They cannot take this plea that they are just aggregators, they are just platforms. It is your responsibility, your due diligence,”
timesnownews.com
Sources
Related news
FSSAI Suspends Food Business Licences for Violating Food Safety Rules
FSSAI expands crackdown on dark stores, cloud kitchens and labels
FSSAI Targets Food Giants Over Misleading Claims
Karnataka Seeks Food Licence Suspension Over Toxic Datura Sales
Maharashtra food safety chief suspends Blinkit, Swiggy, Zepto warehouse permits
FSSAI Issues Over 150 Notices in Food Safety Crackdown
Supreme Court Seeks Clarity on Food Warning Labels
India Debates Health Warnings Amid Reliance on Cheap Packaged Food
Telangana Inspections Find Rotten Food, Cockroaches Across 67 Outlets
