FSSAI launches penal action against Amazon, Zepto and four other e-commerce food platforms

The FSSAI has initiated regulatory action against Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, BigBasket, Flipkart India, and Zepto for food safety violations, including misleading claims and selling restricted products.

FSSAI has taken action against major e-commerce platforms including Amazon and Swiggy Instamart for non-compliance. The issues include misleading claims and the sale of prohibited food products. Misbranding was highlighted specifically in the case of 'Happilo Premium Date Bites - Zesty Orange'. Additionally, Swiggy Instamart and BigBasket faced action regarding certain dairy products from Milky Mist. FSSAI's enforcement actions have increased in the last six months for better consumer protection.

New Delhi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said on Wednesday that it has initiated penal action against e-commerce platforms over alleged food safety violations. The regulator named Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, BigBasket, Flipkart India and Zepto.What FSSAI flagged?In a social media post, FSSAI described the move as a crackdown on e-commerce platforms over regulatory non-compliances. It cited misbranding and misleading claims, along with the sale and display of prohibited or poisonous food articles.The regulator did not specify in its post which alleged violation applied to each platform. It also did not identify the products involved, state how many cases had been initiated or describe the penalties being pursued.The announcement names the companies facing action, but does not establish that every platform was involved in every category of alleged non-compliance. Further details would be needed to clarify the cases against them.Enforcement stepped upFSSAI said it has intensified enforcement against food business operators and e-commerce companies over the past six months. It has also been sharing information about these actions on social media to keep consumers informed.The move draws attention to online food listings, product descriptions and claims. For shoppers, those listings can be the main source of information before placing an order. The regulator’s concerns cover both how products are described and whether some food articles should be offered for sale. FSSAI Proposes Red Front-Pack Warnings For Foods High In Fat, Sugar And SaltThe named companies span online marketplaces, grocery delivery and quick-commerce services. FSSAI’s post does not say whether the action concerns listings hosted by sellers, products supplied by the platforms, or both.Responses from the companies were not included in the information available for this report. The specific allegations, any penalties and the eventual outcome will depend on the proceedings in each case.For now, FSSAI’s announcement signals closer scrutiny of how food products are presented and sold online. Details of the individual proceedings will be crucial to understanding what each company is accused of and what corrective steps, if any, the regulator has required.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Wednesday said it had initiated penal action against five e-commerce platforms for various food safety and regulatory violations, including misleading claims and the sale and display of prohibited products.Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, BigBasket, Flipkart India and Zepto are among the platforms facing action.FSSAI Cites Misleading Claims, Prohibited ProductsIn a post on its official social media handle, the FSSAI said a “major crackdown on e-commerce platforms had been undertaken.”“Penal action initiated against - Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, Bigbasket, Flipkart India and Zepto,” it said, citing “various food safety and regulatory non-compliances”.FSSAI Files Cases Against Nestle India Over Infant Nutrition Products; Shares Fall 2%The regulator said the violations included “misbranding/ misleading claims, sale and display of prohibited/ poisonous food articles through e-commerce platforms.”According to the FSSAI, the action was initiated under the FSS Act, 2006 and applicable FSSAI regulations.Happilo, Milky Mist Products Under ScannerThe action included misleading claims related to the food product ‘Happilo Premium Date Bites - Zesty Orange’, PTI reported.The FSSAI also initiated action against Swiggy Instamart and BigBasket over misleading claims and non-compliant product information involving some Milky Mist dairy products. These include Milky Mist Fresh Low Fat Cream, Milky Mist Farm Fresh Curd and Milky Mist Greek Yoghurt.The regulatory body has stepped up action against food business operators (FBOs) and e-commerce companies over the past six months.Also Watch:Nestle India Faces Legal ActionThe action against the e-commerce platforms comes days after the food safety regulator said it was taking legal action against Nestle India Ltd.The FSSAI said a baby food sample had failed to meet quality standards, while two other infant nutrition products had been promoted in violation of rules governing such products. A sample of follow-up formula manufactured by the company was found to be substandard with respect to biotin content during laboratory analysis.FSSAI Proposes Red Front-Pack Warnings For Foods High In Fat, Sugar And SaltNestle, however, said its products are “fully compliant with all the applicable regulations”, adding that it would continue to work closely with the FSSAI on the matter.The company’s shares fell almost 3% following news of the regulatory action before recovering to close nearly flat.Three Adjudication Cases Filed Against Nestle IndiaThe regulator said it had filed three separate adjudication cases against Nestle India concerning the three products.A Nestle India spokesperson said the two products cited by the FSSAI for promotional violations, as well as their labels, had been approved by the regulator’s expert committee.