<p>The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has done well to caution e-commerce platforms against violations of food safety norms at a time when the digital food market is booming. </p><p>The regulator has warned them of “severe action” if they fail to comply with safety protocols and standards. It has directed the platforms to share data on their warehouses, food handlers, and other relevant information, and to “prominently display” their FSSAI licence number on their receipts, bills, etc. These measures are being implemented to ensure greater transparency and accountability. </p><p>It is also mandatory for all food handlers to undergo compulsory FSSAI training in hygiene protocols. The training plans and their timelines need to be shared with the authority. A proposal for a display of the “use by” date for food products at the consumer interface is also under consideration.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The FSSAI has directed the platforms to adhere to hygiene and food safety protocols across warehouses and storage facilities, and upload their photographs to the food compliance portal. The direction for food safety training for all personnel, including the delivery staff, should be strictly enforced. There should be easy and efficient channels for consumer feedback, which must be acted upon. While the intention and proposals are welcome, the challenge is to translate them into practice. The FSSAI does not have a good record in implementing safety norms in the traditional food business landscape. This may be traced to inefficiency, staff shortage, and even corruption. The authority will require more resources and expertise to ensure that e-commerce platforms comply with the best standards and regulations. The business is expanding rapidly, and keeping pace to ensure quality will be a major challenge. While the need for self-regulation is important for the platforms, the critical factor that will ensure the best results is alertness on the part of the regulator and the consumers.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The FSSAI conducts regular surveys and checks to ensure that the food offered in various forms and from various platforms meets the basic standards of quality. Changing lifestyle choices have led to a surge in fast food chains and food aggregator platforms, with children among the major consumers. The industry calls for special regulatory attention because it involves public health. While the FSSAI should put in place an effective oversight mechanism to ensure the best quality, segments such as packaging, which have a bearing on quality, will also need to be attended to.</p>
<p>The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has done well to caution e-commerce platforms against violations of food safety norms at a time when the digital food market is booming. </p><p>The regulator has warned them of “severe action” if they fail to comply with safety protocols and standards. It has directed the platforms to share data on their warehouses, food handlers, and other relevant information, and to “prominently display” their FSSAI licence number on their receipts, bills, etc. These measures are being implemented to ensure greater transparency and accountability. </p><p>It is also mandatory for all food handlers to undergo compulsory FSSAI training in hygiene protocols. The training plans and their timelines need to be shared with the authority. A proposal for a display of the “use by” date for food products at the consumer interface is also under consideration.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The FSSAI has directed the platforms to adhere to hygiene and food safety protocols across warehouses and storage facilities, and upload their photographs to the food compliance portal. The direction for food safety training for all personnel, including the delivery staff, should be strictly enforced. There should be easy and efficient channels for consumer feedback, which must be acted upon. While the intention and proposals are welcome, the challenge is to translate them into practice. The FSSAI does not have a good record in implementing safety norms in the traditional food business landscape. This may be traced to inefficiency, staff shortage, and even corruption. The authority will require more resources and expertise to ensure that e-commerce platforms comply with the best standards and regulations. The business is expanding rapidly, and keeping pace to ensure quality will be a major challenge. While the need for self-regulation is important for the platforms, the critical factor that will ensure the best results is alertness on the part of the regulator and the consumers.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The FSSAI conducts regular surveys and checks to ensure that the food offered in various forms and from various platforms meets the basic standards of quality. Changing lifestyle choices have led to a surge in fast food chains and food aggregator platforms, with children among the major consumers. The industry calls for special regulatory attention because it involves public health. While the FSSAI should put in place an effective oversight mechanism to ensure the best quality, segments such as packaging, which have a bearing on quality, will also need to be attended to.</p>
