FSSAI MANDATES 30% SHELF LIFE FOR E-COMMERCE FOOD SAFETY
Why in the news?
FSSAI has directed e-commerce food businesses to ensure a minimum 30% shelf life for delivered products, enhancing food safety standards and enforcing accurate product claims for consumer protection.
source:economictimes
FSSAI’s Directive to E-commerce FBOs:
New Shelf Life Standard: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has instructed e-commerce food business operators (FBOs) to ensure a minimum of 30% shelf life, or 45 days before expiry, for all food products delivered to consumers. This move aims to enhance food safety and quality standards across the e-commerce sector.
Compliance Meeting in the National Capital
- Reinforcing Regulations: FSSAI held a meeting in New Delhi with e-commerce FBOs, with over 200 participants in attendance.
- The session focused on compliance measures to ensure food safety in e-commerce, stressing the need for standardised practices regarding shelf life and accurate product representation.
- Consumer Protection: FSSAI emphasised the need for transparency and accuracy in product claims on online platforms
- FBOs were cautioned against making unsupported or misleading claims about products, reinforcing the importance of honest marketing practices.
Regulatory Compliance for FBOs
- Mandatory Licensing: FSSAI CEO Kamala Vardhana Rao reiterated that all FBOs must have a valid FSSAI licence or registration to operate on e-commerce platforms.
- This mandate is critical to ensuring regulatory compliance and protecting consumer rights.
Consumer Awareness: By enforcing these guidelines, FSSAI aims to safeguard consumers’ access to accurate product information and extend food safety standards within the fast-growing e-commerce food sector.