The food regulatory agency orders vendors to separate food and non-food items for delivery.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued a new notice on December 3, 2024, recommending food business operators (FBOs) to separate food products from non-food items during deliveries. This measure aims to prevent cross-contamination that could compromise food safety. Furthermore, the governmental agency has emphasized the importance of training personnel responsible for final deliveries to handle and deliver products safely and hygienically, which includes maintaining appropriate standards of personal hygiene and sanitation procedures.

Additionally, the FSSAI has instructed vendors to display accurate information on physical products regarding what is claimed or advertised on e-commerce platforms. Any misleading or unsubstantiated claims may result in regulatory actions by the authority. It has also been stipulated that delivered food products must have a sufficient shelf life to ensure consumer confidence, establishing that the minimum shelf life of products should be 30%, or at least 45 days before their expiration date at the time of delivery.

The FSSAI is taking a stricter approach towards e-commerce platforms listing FBOs, requiring them to display their valid license and registration from the FSSAI.

In a previous notice dated November 29, 2024, the FSSAI classified non-alcoholic beverages, packaged drinking water, and mineral water as high-risk food categories. Other categories identified as high risk include dairy products, meat and meat products, poultry products, as well as fish and seafood, including mollusks and crustaceans, eggs and egg products, foods intended for nutritional use, prepared foods, Indian sweets, nutrients, and their preparations. This regulation seeks to implement mandatory annual inspections and audits for manufacturers, thus raising quality standards for consumers.