The Food Safety Standards and Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued several directives aimed at strengthening hygiene practices and enhancing transparency across e-commerce platforms in the country.
According to a press memo released on July 8, the FSSAI directed all e-commerce platforms to ensure that all food handlers receive the relevant food safety and hygiene training.
Additionally, e-commerce platforms are required to furnish photographs of storage facilities to the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal.
Businesses must also disclose full details of all storage facilities linked to their operations.
This highlights a previously overlooked segment of the supply chain: storage.
“This is a bold but necessary step by FSSAI. Several e-commerce platforms operate through third-party or decentralised warehouses, where hygiene practices are inconsistent or undocumented,” said Ashwin Bhadri, CEO of food safety auditing firm Equinox Labs.
“Capturing and uploading photos regularly means digitising operations that are still largely manual, especially in rural areas where infrastructure is limited.”
“This sends a clear message: storage can’t just be a pit stop; it’s a critical point in ensuring food safety.”
New food safety requirements for India’s e-commerce platforms
- Prominently display FSSAI License/Registration numbers on every receipt, invoice, and cash memo provided to consumers.
- Display information regarding Food Safety Connect App on all consumer-facing documents.
- Disclose comprehensive details of all warehouses and storage facilities linked to their operations on the FoSCoS portal.
- Upload photographs of all storage facilities regularly to the portal.
- Ensure all food handlers – including e-commerce staff – undergo mandatory FSSAI FoSTaC training. Platforms are required to share their training plans and timelines with FSSAI.
- Share data pertaining to warehouses, food handlers, and other relevant information with the FSSAI, ensuring enhanced transparency and compliance.
A clear stance on upholding food safety standards
FSSAI CEO Ganji Kamala V Rao warned that “any non-compliance with food safety protocols will be viewed with utmost seriousness, potentially leading to severe action”.
The FSSAI memo did not specify penalties, but current guidelines indicate a fine of Rs 2 lakhs (USD 2,309) for failing to comply with a food safety officer’s directions, and a fine of Rs 1 lakh (USD 1,154) for unsanitary conditions.
Strict enforcement will undoubtedly make businesses take food safety more seriously because it puts pressure on everyone to follow the rules, said Bhadri.
However, he added that smaller businesses might be overwhelmed by new changes.
Challenges in meeting new food safety requirements
Bhadri pointed out that smaller business outfits may not have the resources or systems in place to meet every new requirement immediately. They may struggle with documentation or digital processes, especially in smaller towns.
Furthermore, the FSSAI should consider the practical implementations of implementing training at scale, especially across gig workforces.
“Training every delivery person sounds great in theory, but it’s a huge challenge in practice. Many delivery workers are part-time or work for multiple apps. They come and go quickly, and they’re spread across the country. Getting all of them trained, certified, and tracked will take serious effort,” said Bhadri.
While there are challenges to be overcome, it is important to raise the bar for food safety.
“Safe food is not optional; it’s basic. With the right support and time to adjust, even smaller businesses can keep up,” added Bhadri.
He suggested that one way to facilitate training for smaller businesses with lesser resources is to make it simple, mobile-friendly, and quick.
“Maybe a short online course with a basic quiz can work. It should be in regional languages, easy to access, and linked to their delivery profiles. That way, food safety becomes a part of the job, no matter who the person is or which platform they work for,” said Bhadri.
When service providers make food safety an inherent part of their job, it also adds to consumer confidence – an area that the FSSAI is focused on.
Enhancing consumer confidence
FSSAI now requires e-commerce platforms to display information regarding Food Safety Connect App on all consumer facing documents.
This signals that businesses are subject to regulatory oversight, which helps boost consumer confidence in online food purchases.
It also encourages more consumers to download and use the app, helping FSSAI gather data and feedback directly from the public.
These new measures are expected to influence consumer trust around food purchased via e-commerce, reshaping how platforms differentiate themselves.
“Today, people care about speed and discounts. Tomorrow, they will care about safety and trust. If two apps offer the same product, but one shows that its warehouses are clean, its delivery team is trained, and its food is handled safely, people will go for that one,” said Bhadri.
“These safety steps will become part of how platforms win trust and stand out. It’s not just about fast food anymore, it’s about safe food, too. And people are paying more attention than ever.”
Bhadri also stressed that food safety is everyone’s responsibility.
Manufacturers should ensure proper food packaging, logistics partners must ensure the right temperature and prevent contamination, e-commerce platforms should double-check that the sellers they work with are following food safety rules.
“If even one part of this chain fails, the customer could end up consuming something unsafe. Everyone has to do their part to keep the food safe from the factory to the customer’s doorstep,” Bhadri said.
This is why it is crucial to relook at food safety regulations to keep up with the evolving retail landscape. Failure to keep up with these market changes could lead to a repeat of the recent Zepto scandal, where food was stored improperly in wet, mouldy dark rooms.
Why new food safety rules are needed for e-commerce
Previously, food safety frameworks were focused on physical stores. These regulatory updates are therefore much needed to close the regulatory gaps.
“This marks a definitive and much-needed shift in regulatory posture. For years, food safety frameworks were largely focused on physical retail, restaurants, and food manufacturers while e-commerce scaled quietly and rapidly in a gray zone,” said Bhadri.
“FSSAI’s latest directive addresses that gap, reflecting a strong recognition of changing consumer behaviour. Today, millions of Indians order ready-to-eat meals, daily groceries, and health supplements online, often bypassing traditional food safety checks. By bringing e-commerce platforms under its ambit, the message is clear: digital convenience cannot come at the cost of public health.
“This policy is a fundamental recalibration of how food safety regulation adapts to the digital economy. As someone working closely with both the regulator and the food industry, I believe this directive will bring much-needed structure, traceability, and accountability into the online food ecosystem,” said Bhadri.
