FSSAI issues guidelines for e-commerce food business operators

New Delhi, Dec 28 (KNN) The Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued guidelines for e-commerce food business operators to ensure that the food provided to customers through e-channels is safe and healthy.

The guidelines are part of directives issued by the regulator to re-operationalize licensing and registration of e-commerce food companies. 

As per the new guidelines, any food delivered to consumers by e-commerce FBO shall have shelf life of 30 percent 0r 45 days before expiry at the time of delivery of consumer.

Also, the food products offered for sale by any e-commerce FBO shall be liable to sampling at any point of supply chain, said FSSAI.

The food regulator said “It shall be ensured by the e-commerce FBO’s that last mile delivery is undertaken by trained delivery personnel and the safety of food product is not compromised at the time of delivery.”

The guidelines came as a wake up call for food delivery companies to make sure that the food delivered is safe.

Besides, it is mandatory to provide food information as mentioned in FSS Act to consumers without charging supplementary cost.

As per new FSSAI guidelines “Food delivery aggregators need to deliver fresh food only.”