FSSAI issues show-cause notices to Zepto and several food brands over safety and labeling

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued formal show-cause notices to quick-commerce unicorn Zepto, along with various nutraceutical and food brands, as part of a broader crackdown on food safety and labeling violations. The investigation into Zepto was triggered by a consumer complaint alleging the delivery of expired food products, prompting the regulator to demand detailed documentation on stock management, warehouse protocols, and refund records.

Beyond delivery platforms, the regulator has targeted specific brands for misleading consumers. Nutraceutical companies including BMS Lifescience and HealthyHey Foods are under scrutiny for utilizing expired FSSAI registration certificates and making unapproved health claims regarding disease risk reduction. Meanwhile, bakery brand Bakelite Food Processing faced criticism for labeling products as "creamy" despite the absence of dairy ingredients, relying instead on vegetable fats.

This regulatory push is consistent with FSSAI’s recent efforts to curb deceptive marketing and branding across digital marketplaces. Similar actions have recently targeted major e-commerce players such as Amazon, BigBasket, and Flipkart, focusing on instances of misbranding and the display of prohibited items.

For Zepto, this scrutiny compounds existing legal and regulatory challenges as the company navigates preparations for its proposed IPO. The firm currently faces multiple proceedings involving labor practices, ownership structures, and consumer protection complaints. Companies named in the latest notices must provide corrective action plans to avoid statutory penalties or license suspensions.