FSSAI to Implement Checks on E-Commerce Platforms Starting October India News Update
New Delhi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has secured nearly 2,000 convictions in food safety cases nationwide. The agency is intensifying enforcement measures, including holding e-commerce platforms accountable for the products they sell. FSSAI CEO Rajit Punhani announced that checks on e-commerce platforms will commence next month, requiring them to ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
E-commerce platforms will no longer be able to claim they are merely aggregators. “It is your responsibility, your due diligence,” Punhani stated. FSSAI has already consulted with e-commerce companies regarding these new responsibilities. The agency aims to implement consumer-focused reforms, particularly in e-commerce and labeling, over the next year.
In addition to e-commerce regulations, FSSAI has proposed restricting the sale of high-fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS) foods within 50 meters of schools. This initiative aims to protect children from unhealthy food options. Punhani noted that the lack of a clear definition for HFSS foods had been a challenge, but the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Nutrition has now provided criteria for FSSAI to use.
FSSAI has taken significant enforcement actions, including suspending licenses, closing establishments, and launching prosecutions. In the past six months, around 600 individuals have been arrested in connection with unsafe food cases. The agency has issued approximately 33,000 notices for food safety violations, which include adulteration, mislabeling, and substandard food.
FSSAI is also tightening regulations on food claims and marketing. The authority prohibits “100%” claims except in litigation cases, while terms like “pure” and “natural” can only be used for single-ingredient products without additives. The regulator has communicated with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade and the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks regarding the use of “healthy” as a trademark.
Punhani stated that the term “energy drink” will not be permitted on labels, as it may mislead consumers; such products will be classified as caffeinated beverages. A proposed red warning system will also apply to aerated, carbonated, and caffeinated drinks. FSSAI has issued notices to six celebrities for misleading food-related endorsements, with three of them having responded.
Observer Voice is the one stop site for National, International news, Sports, Editor’s Choice, Art/culture contents, Quotes and much more. We also cover historical contents. Historical contents includes World History, Indian History, and what happened today. The website also covers Entertainment across the India and World.
