FSSAI initiates penal action against Amazon, Flipkart, Zepto over food listings
India's food safety authority has started penal proceedings against e-commerce platforms including Amazon, Flipkart, and Zepto for misleading claims and sale of prohibited food items.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has initiated penal action against e-commerce platforms Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, BigBasket, Flipkart, and Zepto. The actions are a result of non-compliance issues, including misleading claims and the sale of prohibited food products, as per the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The regulator identified violations such as misbranding, misleading claims, and the sale or display of prohibited or poisonous food articles. FSSAI also raised concerns regarding the product information presented on these platforms.
Products under scrutiny include Happilo Premium Date Bites – Zesty Orange, flagged for non-compliant claims across all five platforms. Additionally, FSSAI expressed concerns over Milky Mist dairy products' information and claims on Swiggy Instamart and BigBasket. Action is also being taken against Amazon Seller Services, Swiggy Instamart, and BigBasket for selling Datura (a poisonous fruit or seed).
These platforms have not yet provided immediate responses to media queries regarding the penal actions. However, a source from a quick-commerce platform stated that the company adheres to legal requirements and responds to authority notices promptly. The FSSAI's move emphasizes the accountability of platforms for their listings, not solely the sellers, aiming to ensure they do not merely serve as passive digital noticeboards for claims reaching millions of consumers.