New Delhi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has initiated penal action against Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, BigBasket, Flipkart India and Zepto over alleged breaches of food safety rules.
In a social media post on Wednesday, the regulator described the move as a major crackdown on e-commerce platforms. It cited misbranding, misleading claims, and the sale or display of prohibited or poisonous food articles among the non-compliances it had identified.
Which Platforms Face Action?
The five named companies include online marketplaces, grocery delivery services and quick-commerce platforms. FSSAI did not specify which alleged violation applied to each company.
The regulator also did not identify the products involved or provide details of the penalties being pursued. Its announcement should therefore not be read as saying that every platform was involved in every category of alleged violation.
Enforcement Stepped Up
FSSAI said it has intensified enforcement against food business operators and e-commerce companies over the past six months. It has also been informing consumers about these actions through social media.
The latest announcement puts online food listings under scrutiny. Product names, descriptions and claims can shape a shopper’s decision, particularly when an order is placed without examining the item in person.
The regulator’s concerns extend beyond how products are presented. Its post also refers to the sale and display of food articles it described as prohibited or poisonous.
Details Awaited
FSSAI has not said whether the cases concern products listed by independent sellers, items supplied by the platforms themselves, or both. It has not disclosed how many listings or products are involved.
The companies’ responses were not available in the information provided for this report. Details of the individual cases will establish the specific allegations against each platform and the outcome of the penal proceedings.
For consumers, the announcement highlights the importance of accurate information on food listings. Further disclosures from the regulator will clarify which products prompted action and what steps, if any, the platforms have been asked to take.
