Sep 21, 2016

E-commerce food firms to come under FSSAI regime

The regulation, if confirmed, will require online food delivery companies like Swiggy, Zomato and Foodpanda to procure licences from FSSAI
New Delhi: Any e-commerce company selling food products, or dealing in the food business, will need licences from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), if the draft guidelines notified on Tuesday are confirmed.
“E-commerce FBOs (food business operators) will have to obtain licence from the Central Licensing Authority for the entire supply chain, i.e. head office/registered office, transportation, storage, distribution, etc,” the food safety regulator said on Tuesday.
The regulation, if confirmed, will require online food delivery companies like Swiggy, Zomato and Foodpanda to procure licences from FSSAI. Swiggy, Zomato and Foodpanda did not immediately respond to Mint’s requests for comment on the proposed regulation.
E-commerce entities providing listing or directory services to sellers, restaurants, vendors, importers or manufacturers of food products may not be required to obtain licences.
FSSAI has sought comments and suggestions on the draft guidelines from companies operating in the sector. Final regulations will be notified after FSSAI studies the feedback. The draft guidelines notified on Tuesday are based on a discussion that the regulator held on 18 March.
According to the draft guidelines, all companies in the entire supply chain will have to comply with the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 to ensure food safety, and all sellers selling food products through online marketplaces will need licences from FSSAI. The regulator also detailed guidelines on consumer complaint redressal and product recalls.

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