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The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has announced stricter guidelines for e-commerce platforms that deal with food deliveries. To improve food safety and ensure consumers receive quality products, the FSSAI has mandated that food items sold online must have a minimum shelf life of 30 percent or 45 days before expiry at the time of delivery. This new regulation directly responds to growing concerns over the quality and safety of food products sold online.
A crucial meeting convened on Tuesday, led by FSSAI CEO Arun Singhal, saw participation from over 200 food business operators (FBOs) from across the country, both in person and virtually. During the meeting, the FSSAI reiterated the need for e-commerce platforms to adhere strictly to food safety standards and stressed the importance of maintaining transparency with consumers. The discussions centered around ensuring that all food products listed for sale online meet the prescribed shelf life requirements to protect public health.
Ensuring Freshness and Safety for Consumers
One of the primary concerns addressed during the meeting was the freshness and safety of food products delivered through e-commerce platforms. FSSAI’s new directive aims to prevent the sale of food products that are nearing expiration when they reach the customer. This rule is particularly crucial given the rapid growth of online food shopping, which has made it easier for consumers to order food from anywhere. With many consumers relying on online platforms for convenience, it is essential to ensure that the food they receive is not only safe but also fresh.
Under the new guidelines, e-commerce platforms must ensure that the food products sold to consumers have a shelf life of at least 45 days or 30 percent of their original shelf life at the time of delivery. This measure will prevent food items that are too close to their expiry date from being sold online, which could lead to potential health risks for consumers. For example, items like packaged snacks, dairy products, and other perishable goods should be delivered to customers with a significant buffer period, ensuring they can consume the product safely.
Regulation on Product Claims
The FSSAI also took strong action against false or unsupported claims about food products made by online sellers. The food safety regulator made it clear that no food business operator can function on an e-commerce platform without a valid FSSAI license or registration. This mandate ensures that consumers are purchasing products from legally compliant vendors, minimizing the risk of substandard or unsafe food items entering the market.
In addition to ensuring valid licenses, the FSSAI stressed the importance of product labels. Any claims made by e-commerce sellers about the food's health benefits, ingredients, or nutritional value must align with the information provided on the product label. This move is aimed at promoting transparency and preventing misleading advertising that could influence consumer choices based on incorrect or exaggerated information.
Training for Delivery Personnel
Another key issue discussed during the meeting was the proper training of delivery personnel involved in handling food items. Given that food safety protocols extend beyond the production and packaging phases, the FSSAI has instructed e-commerce operators to implement comprehensive training programs for their delivery staff. The goal is to equip them with the knowledge of food safety and hygiene protocols, which will help them handle, store, and deliver food products without compromising their safety and quality.
Improper handling of food during delivery can lead to contamination, spoilage, or the spread of harmful bacteria, which can result in foodborne illnesses. Therefore, it is essential that the delivery personnel are well-trained to understand the importance of maintaining food hygiene standards throughout the delivery process. This includes ensuring that food items are kept at the right temperature, transported in clean conditions, and delivered in a way that avoids contamination from non-food items.
Separation of Food and Non-Food Deliveries
To further ensure the safety of food products, the FSSAI has mandated that food items must be delivered separately from non-food items. This measure is designed to avoid the risk of cross-contamination, especially when non-food items may contain chemicals, allergens, or substances that could spoil or contaminate food products. For instance, cleaning products, cosmetics, and other non-food goods could come into contact with food packaging, posing potential risks to consumers' health.
The separation of food and non-food deliveries also ensures that customers receive their food items in the best possible condition. For example, a perishable product like milk or fresh produce can be more easily damaged or contaminated if it is transported alongside heavy or hazardous materials. The new guidelines aim to improve the safety and quality of food deliveries and reduce the chances of any negative impact on the product’s freshness and hygiene.
Why These Guidelines Are Crucial?
The increasing popularity of online shopping, especially post-pandemic, has changed the way people purchase food. Many consumers now rely on e-commerce platforms for grocery shopping, ordering snacks, ready-to-eat meals, and even fresh produce. While this shift has brought convenience to the table, it has also raised concerns about food safety and quality, especially with the rise in online food fraud and delivery issues.
By introducing these new guidelines, the FSSAI is taking a crucial step in ensuring that the e-commerce food industry adheres to high standards of food safety. The regulations will help protect consumers from receiving expired or substandard products and will promote transparency in the food supply chain. Additionally, the guidelines aim to build consumer trust in e-commerce platforms, ensuring that they can rely on these platforms for safe and quality food products.
These changes are also essential from a public health perspective. With more people ordering food online, there is an increased risk of foodborne illnesses if products are mishandled or incorrectly marketed. The FSSAI’s efforts to regulate and improve e-commerce food delivery practices are an important step towards safeguarding consumer health and ensuring the longevity of the growing online food industry.
The FSSAI’s new guidelines for e-commerce food operators mark a significant step forward in regulating online food sales and ensuring the safety and freshness of the products being delivered to consumers. By mandating minimum shelf life standards, regulating product claims, and emphasizing proper training for delivery personnel, the FSSAI aims to build a safer and more transparent online food market. As the e-commerce food industry continues to grow, these measures are essential in maintaining the trust of consumers and safeguarding public health.
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