FSSAI announced plans to impose stricter obligations on quick-delivery platforms after a nationwide push against unsafe food practices. The agency’s chief executive, Rajit Punhani, said the move aims to make online sellers more accountable for the products they list, and he added that consumer confidence will improve once the new rules take effect.
New labeling and verification rules
Under the draft, platforms such as Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart and Amazon will have to show manufacturing dates, expiry dates and batch numbers on each food item. The requirement also covers batch identifiers for frozen products, meaning that shoppers will see clear traceability information before they add an item to their cart.
Regulators will hold marketplaces liable for misleading claims made by manufacturers. The proposal further calls for photographs and addresses of “dark kitchens,” and tighter checks on “dark stores” to confirm proper storage conditions, ensuring that hidden preparation sites cannot evade oversight.
Recent enforcement actions on major players
In recent months, the regulator has issued penalties to several e-commerce operators for violations ranging from misbranding to selling prohibited goods. Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, Flipkart and Amazon have all faced notices after consumer complaints triggered investigations, demonstrating that the authority is actively responding to market feedback.
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Instamart said in July it was reviewing the flagged listings and was in contact with officials to resolve the issues. A spokesperson for Amazon confirmed that a non-compliant product was removed from its marketplace after a regulator query, showing that the platform is willing to act quickly when alerted.
Wider crackdown across the food sector
The agency has expanded its focus beyond online platforms, targeting manufacturers, hotels and restaurants for advertising, labeling and storage violations.
State food and drug enforcement bodies, which operate independently of the central authority, are being urged to step up oversight. Recent data show about 700,000 inspections were carried out between April and September, nearly double the figure from the previous year, highlighting a significant increase in monitoring activity.
Supplements and nutraceuticals under review
The regulator is also re-examining approvals granted three to five years ago for dietary supplements sold online. Companies making unapproved weight-loss claims or using potentially misleading trademarks such as “GLP Plus” face possible license suspensions, a step intended to curb false health promises.
