Business · India Bureau
FSSAI Takes Action Against Amazon, Flipkart, Zepto Over Food Safety Violations
India's food regulator has initiated enforcement proceedings against five major e-commerce platforms for breaches of food safety norms, including false product claims and the listing of prohibited food items.
LSN India ·
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched penal action against Amazon, Flipkart, Zepto and two other e-commerce platforms for violations of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The regulatory action stems from investigations revealing multiple breaches including misleading product claims, inadequate product information disclosure, and the unauthorised listing of prohibited food articles on their platforms.
The enforcement action underscores mounting regulatory scrutiny of e-commerce food sales in India, where online marketplaces have expanded rapidly but face persistent compliance challenges. The FSSAI has previously flagged concerns about the quality of oversight on third-party seller platforms, particularly regarding verification of supplier credentials and product authenticity.
The specific violations cited by the regulator include unsubstantiated health and nutritional claims on product listings, insufficient labelling information for consumers, and the sale of food items banned under Indian food safety regulations. E-commerce platforms are required under law to ensure that all vendors and products listed on their marketplaces comply with applicable food safety standards.
The action reflects the FSSAI's continued focus on strengthening compliance across the food supply chain as online grocery and specialty food sales grow in India. Industry observers anticipate the regulatory outcome could prompt broader policy changes governing food e-commerce oversight.