In a Press Release dated 20th July, 2018, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (“FSSAI”) has directed ten leading e-Commerce food service platforms, namely“Box8, Faasos, FoodCloud, Foodmingo, Foodpanda, JusFood, LimeTray, Swiggy, Uber Eats and Zomato” to debar the non FSSAI licensed/registered food operators and ensure compliance of food safety rules and regulations.
Back in February this year, a list of guidelines were issued by FSSAI for e-commerce food service platforms and Food Business Operators (“FBOs”) under which, it was mandatory for them to display the FSSAI license number of the restaurants and eateries listed on their platforms. The e-commerce food service platforms were also required to have an agreement with these listed eateries regarding compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act and Rules. However, FSSAI noted with serious concern that the compliance to these guidelines was patchy and there were complaints of restaurants/hotels without FSSAI license being listed and allowed to offer/sell food products on e-commerce food service platforms. There were also several complaints of sub-standard food being delivered to consumers through online market aggregators
Food Authority, in its direction to e-Commerce food service platforms has asked them to initiate immediate action to delist the defaulting food businesses and submit an action taken report along with details of FBOs listed on their platforms by 31st July 2018. They have also been directed to furnish their FSSAI License, agreement signed with FBOs and their internal checks to ensure that their FBOs hold valid FSSAI Licenses.
