FSSAI Penalizes Five E-commerce Platforms for Food Safety Violations

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India initiated penal action on Wednesday against five major e-commerce platforms: Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, BigBasket, Flipkart India, and Zepto. The regulator cited various regulatory non-compliances, including misbranding, misleading claims, and the sale of prohibited or poisonous food articles.

All five platforms faced action for misleading claims regarding Happilo Premium Date Bites - Zesty Orange. Swiggy Instamart and BigBasket were further cited for non-compliant information regarding Milky Mist dairy products, specifically Greek Yoghurt, Farm Fresh Curd, and Fresh Low Fat Cream. Additionally, Amazon Seller Services, Swiggy Instamart, and BigBasket violated the FSS Act, 2006, by offering Datura fruits and seeds for sale.

This crackdown is part of a broader trend of increased enforcement actions by the regulator against food business operators and e-commerce companies over the last six months.