The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has initiated significant measures to bolster food safety standards for e-commerce businesses, responding to the rapid growth of online food transactions. A key aspect of these initiatives is the training of last-mile delivery personnel aimed at ensuring safe food handling and hygiene during transportation.
A memo from FSSAI, issued on December 3, 2024, emphasizes the urgent need for stringent compliance from e-commerce food business operators (FBOs) to uphold standards of safety, quality, and authenticity. “Considering the growth of e-commerce in the food sector, compliance by e-commerce food business operators is not just important but is also the best way to reinforce consumer trust,” stated Rakesh Kumar, Director of FSSAI.
India’s food industry faces considerable challenges, especially among small and medium enterprises, which often struggle with compliance, awareness, and resource management. Ashwin Bhadri, CEO of food safety auditing firm Equinox Labs, noted, “With the increasing role of e-commerce, ensuring compliance is of utmost importance to maintain consumer trust.”
To tackle these challenges, FSSAI has mandated the Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) program for all employees engaged with food handling and storage. The FoSTaC training aims to equip workers with necessary skills related to hygiene and food safety, ensuring best practices across the supply chain. “FoSTaC training programmes aim to promote skill development, ensuring workers across the food chain understand best practices and apply them effectively,” added Bhadri, who also serves as the National Resource Person for FSSAI.
Essential components of the training include regular water and medical testing to uphold hygiene standards, temperature monitoring to safeguard food at every process stage, proper handling of raw materials to prevent cross-contamination, and clear labeling practices to inform consumers and mitigate allergen risks. Regular audits and testing will be practiced to make sure these standards consistently prevail, reducing potential safety breaches.
Bhadri stressed the importance of compliance, not merely as regulatory necessity but as foundational for building consumer trust. “Non-compliance can lead to penalties of up to ₹10 lakh (USD 11,643) or even imprisonment under FSSAI regulations,” he warned. Indeed, data shows 60% of food businesses face regulatory action due to non-compliance each year.
Enhanced transparency is another priority. E-commerce platforms must make it compulsory for all listed food businesses to display valid FSSAI licenses or registrations. The presence of hygiene ratings is also encouraged, enabling consumers to make informed choices. Additional regulatory measures specify the mandatory display of the 14-digit FSSAI license or registration number on product labels for packaged foods, as well as on invoices or receipts for unpackaged items.
Products sold through these platforms must have at least 30% shelf life remaining or at least 45 days before expiry upon delivery. Also, any product claims made online need to align with the accompanying physical product labels to avoid misleading consumers. “Failure to comply with these regulations could result in legal actions and loss of consumer trust,” highlighted Kumar.
Bhadri emphasized the importance of clear and accurate labeling as necessary for engendering trust with customers and maintaining alignment with global food safety standards. “Collectively, these measures will create an atmosphere of continuous improvement, allowing businesses to proactively tackle food safety challenges and align with consumer expectations,” he remarked.
These initiatives serve to underline FSSAI’s commitment to fostering professionalism and credibility within the sector as e-commerce continues to grow. By adopting comprehensive food safety practices, not only are companies strengthening consumer confidence, but they are also enriching the overall quality and safety of food offered online.