FSSAI Issues Notice to Zepto Over Expired Besan Delivery

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a formal notice to Zepto Marketplace Pvt Ltd following a complaint about the delivery of expired besan to a customer. The regulator announced the action on Monday after a social media complaint alleged that two packets of the staple ingredient were delivered past their use-by date.

According to the FSSAI, both besan packets were marked with an expiry date of September 12, 2026, indicating they had expired at the time of delivery to the customer. The food regulator has directed Zepto to conduct a thorough verification of the complaint and provide comprehensive details regarding the order, delivery logistics, warehouse operations, the seller involved, and product information.

In its directive, the FSSAI has asked Zepto to identify the root cause of the delivery failure and confirm that all affected stock has been withdrawn from circulation. The company must also notify the customer, process refunds, and implement corrective measures to prevent similar incidents in future. The regulator has sought a written response from the quick-commerce platform addressing all these requirements.

The notice underscores growing scrutiny of e-commerce food delivery operations in India as the sector continues to expand rapidly. Food safety compliance has emerged as a key concern for regulators monitoring the quick-commerce space, which has witnessed exponential growth in recent years.