Consumer Panel Wants E-commerce Platforms to Remove Misleading Food Listings in Real Time

India's Standing Committee on Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has recommended a new framework to combat misleading food labeling on e-commerce platforms. In a report tabled in July 2026, the committee highlighted the lack of a dedicated mechanism to police mislabeled packaged food sold online.

The committee proposed two core recommendations: first, the Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) should collaborate with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and state authorities to establish a coordinated monitoring mechanism. Second, e-commerce platforms should strengthen their capabilities for timely detection and prompt removal of misleading product listings.

The current situation has led to jurisdictional disputes between regulators. DoCA has stated that regulating misleadingly labeled packaged food online falls exclusively under FSSAI's mandate, leading to enforcement gaps. Reports indicated that products flagged by FSSAI for misleading claims remained available for sale on quick-commerce platforms.

Concerns were also raised regarding the substantiation of claims, particularly those related to health benefits and nutritional superiority. The committee recommended mandatory independent validation for such claims and the creation of a publicly accessible list of accredited institutions. Additionally, it suggested graded penalties for repeat offenses and mandatory timelines for compliance.

The recommendations aim to address issues in a growing online food market and ensure consumers receive accurate information about products purchased online.