Food regulator FSSAI said it has initiated penal action against major e-commerce platforms, including Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, BigBasket, Flipkart India and Zepto, as part of a crackdown over alleged violations of food safety regulations.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said the non-compliances detected included misbranding and misleading claims as well as the sale and display of prohibited or poisonous food articles on the platforms.
Penal action initiated
In a social media post, the regulator described the action as a “major crackdown on e-commerce platforms”, naming Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, BigBasket, Flipkart India and Zepto among those facing action over regulatory non-compliances.
The regulator did not immediately disclose details of the individual violations attributed to each platform or specify the products involved. It also did not provide details of the penalties being pursued against the companies.
The action comes amid the rapid expansion of online grocery and quick-commerce services in India, where consumers can order packaged food, fresh produce and other products for doorstep delivery through digital platforms.
FSSAI regulations apply to food business operators selling products through online channels, while e-commerce companies are also required to ensure compliance with applicable food safety and labelling requirements.
Enforcement stepped up
FSSAI said it has intensified enforcement against food business operators and e-commerce companies over the past six months as part of efforts to strengthen compliance and protect consumers.
The regulator has also increasingly used social media to inform consumers about enforcement action taken against businesses found violating food safety requirements.
The latest action puts some of India’s largest online retail and quick-commerce platforms under regulatory scrutiny at a time when the sector is witnessing intense competition and rapid growth.
Misbranding and misleading claims can include representations about food products that do not conform to prescribed labelling or advertising requirements. Food products offered online are required to comply with the same safety and regulatory standards applicable to those sold through physical retail channels.
By targeting multiple major platforms simultaneously, the latest enforcement drive signals increased scrutiny of how food products are listed, described and sold online, including the responsibility of platforms to prevent prohibited products from reaching consumers.