Food near expiry delivered on-line? FSSAI mandates new shelf life rule –

In the fast-moving world, most of us have stopped visiting markets and have elevated our dependency on on-line looking for virtually the whole lot. However, a number of customers ordering meals gadgets on-line have began complaining about receiving meals gadgets which might be near their expiry dates.

Amid this, the meals regulator – Food Safety & Standards Authority of India, or FSSAI, has directed e-commerce and quick-commerce gamers promoting meals gadgets on their on-line platforms, to make sure a minimal shelf lifetime of 30 per cent or 45 days earlier than product expiry, on the time of supply to prospects.

A gathering was convened by FSSAI, led by its chief govt officer (CEO) G Kamala Vardhana Rao, which was attended by e-commerce Food Business operators (FBOs) together with main gamers resembling Blinkit and Zepto.

During the assembly, the FSSAI made it obligatory for the e-commerce FBOs to “adopt practices to ensure minimum shelf life of 30 per cent or 45 days before expiry at the time of delivery to the consumer.”

What does this imply?

For instance, you order a packet of curd on-line, which normally has 10 days of shelf life. The packet of curd which is delivered by the FBO you ordered from ought to have a minimal of three days of shelf life left.

In case you order oats, dry fruits and any such edible that has an extended shelf life, the FSSAI has mandated that when the product reaches the shopper, a minimal of 45 days shelf life.

Why has this been achieved?

A report by The Times of India quoted an official as saying that within the current previous, a number of complaints had been made concerning the meals gadgets having negligible shelf life on the time of supply.

“That’s why we have reiterated to the e-commerce Food Business Operators (FBOs) to adopt practices to ensure minimum shelf life of 30 percent or 45 days before expiry at the time of delivery to the consumer,” the official stated.

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) issued notices to quick-commerce and e-commerce gamers final month for failing to show MRPs and “best before” dates for perishables.

Food merchandise to stick to FSSAI’s Labelling & Display Regulations

In the assembly on Tuesday, Rao additionally emphasised that any product claims made on e-commerce platforms should align with the data offered on the product labels and in adherence to FSSAI’s Labelling and Display Regulations.

“A transparent, compliant, and accountable e-commerce food sector is vital for protecting consumer health and fostering confidence in digital food marketplaces,” the FSSAI stated in a launch issued after the assembly.

Don’t make unsupported claims

Rao additionally cautioned the FBOs in opposition to making unsupported claims on-line and stated, “This would prevent misleading information and protect consumers’ right to accurate product details.”

Rao has additionally specified the necessity to ship meals gadgets and non-food gadgets individually to the customers to keep away from potential contamination.

He additionally reiterated the mandate that no FBO can function on any e-commerce platform with out a legitimate FSSAI license or registration, emphasising the essential want for regulatory compliance.

To guarantee secure meals dealing with at each degree, Rao has instructed FBOs to implement correct coaching applications for supply personnel, empowering them with important meals security and hygiene protocols.

With inputs from companies.