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Tag: FSSAI

  • FSSAI Warns E-Commerce Giants of Strict Action Over Food Safety Violations

    All e-commerce sites were forewarned by the FSSAI on 8 July to maintain strict food safety and hygiene standards or risk punishment. G Kamala Vardhana Rao, the CEO of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), presided over the meeting where the warning was given.

    More than 70 representatives from top e-commerce platforms attended the meeting, which aimed to improve food safety and hygiene standards across the e-commerce food supply chain.

    The CEO reminded the representatives of these platforms that food safety is extremely important and that any failure to follow food safety procedures will be taken very seriously, possibly resulting in harsh consequences.

    Additionally, he emphasised how crucial food safety is in the quickly growing e-commerce industry.

    CEO Issued Various Crucial Directives

    The CEO gave the e-commerce platforms some important instructions during the discussions. On each receipt, invoice, and cash memo given to customers, he instructed them to clearly display their FSSAI License/Registration numbers.

    Additionally, they were requested to include information about the Food Safety Connect App on any documents that are viewed by consumers.

    The need for e-commerce companies to publish thorough information on all warehouses and storage facilities connected to their activities on the FoSCoS platform was also emphasised.

    It was also debated whether food products’ “Date of Expiry/Use By” may be shown on the user interface.

    In addition, the CEO directed all e-commerce platforms to strictly comply with food safety and hygiene regulations in all of their warehouses and storage facilities, making sure that images of these establishments are consistently posted to the FoSCoS web.

    All food handlers participating in the process, including those working in e-commerce, were also required to complete mandatory FSSAI FoSTaC (Food Safety Instruction & Certification) instruction on hygienic procedures.

    Platforms must notify FSSAI of their training schedules and plans. Additionally, they must strictly adhere to all FSS Act regulations and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

    Warehouses to be Registered or Licenced by FSSAI

    A strong emphasis was placed on the importance of all warehouses associated with e-commerce operations being duly registered or licensed by FSSAI.

    To further ensure increased transparency and compliance, e-commerce platforms were also instructed to provide the FSSAI with information about their warehouses, food handlers, and other pertinent data.

    The FSSAI statement said that the food regulator has underlined that everyone in the supply chain, from manufacturing to home delivery, is accountable for compliance and that food safety is a shared duty.

    To guarantee that the entire procedure is incredibly secure for customers, a cooperative approach is necessary.

    The statement went on to say that the FSSAI is unwavering in its resolve to ensure that consumers receive food items that are safe and wholesome, regardless of whether they buy them online or through conventional retail channels.

  • Major Quick Commerce Representatives Will Meet With FSSAI Regarding Expiration Date Violations

    According to various media reports, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India will meet with important representatives from the main rapid commerce platforms, such as Blinkit, Swiggy, Instamart, and Zepto, within the next ten days.

    Reports further state that the main goal of the discussion is to address the grave concerns about the sale of consumer goods, particularly packaged food items, that are getting close to expiration dates on these online platforms.

    Consumer Forums and Trade Bodies Urging Regulator to Step In

    Numerous consumer forums and trade organisations have been advocating for the Union government to take action against e-commerce and quick commerce companies for failing to provide mandatory disclosures, including the expiration and best-before dates of groceries and other daily essentials sold on their platforms.

    Additionally, they have urged the government to look at how fast-moving consumer goods companies are abusing these channels by selling products that are about to expire. Although the original shelf life was substantially greater, consumers have complained that these convenience platforms are delivering products with significantly shorter shelf lives.

    According to Sachin Taparia, founder of LocalCircles, an independent community platform that conducted a survey with 12,000 people nationwide, at least 57% of respondents are worried about online businesses failing to display their best before dates. The results of the survey were forwarded to the FSSAI and the Department of Consumer Affairs last month.

    A packet of bread, which usually has a five- to seven-day shelf life, was sent to certain customers with just one day remaining before it expired. According to Taparia, customers who bought other perishable goods noticed similar issues.

    Violation of the Food Safety and Standards Amendment Regulations of 2020

    The Food Safety and Standards Amendment Regulations of 2020, which require platforms and sellers to offer only food items with a minimum shelf life of 30% or at least 45 days left for sale, are allegedly being disregarded by these quick service organisations.

    In order to stop the sale of products that are about to expire, the food regulator will also meet with state food safety commissioners this week and give them instructions to scrutinise e-commerce and quick-commerce businesses more closely. Officials say they will probably be told to perform unexpected on-site inspections to make sure that these online platforms’ warehouses and dark stores don’t include goods with less than 30% of their shelf life left.

    For various reasons, the Competition Commission of India and the Central Consumer Protection Authority, which is housed under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, have also begun to examine the fast delivery behemoths.

    The All-India Consumer Products Distributors Federation had previously urged the ministry to enact stronger rules in order to stop these kinds of abuses. They assert that the packaged goods business is increasingly using the quick commerce platforms as a means of pushing unsold inventory. The federation had issued a statement stating that “this practice, often disguised by steep discounts, poses a significant risk to consumer rights and threatens the stability of traditional retailers.”

    Among the businesses that do not provide best-before dates in their product photos or descriptions are Swiggy, Instamart, Zomato’s Blinkit, and Zepto. By displaying the production and expiration dates of the packaged items offered on its website, Flipkart Minutes, on the other hand, distinguishes itself as the only platform that offers transparency.

    Zomato is Already Under Scanner

    Food safety officials in Telangana recently discovered 18 kg of button mushrooms classified as packed on October 30 during a raid at Zomato’s Hyperpure warehouse. The inspection was conducted on October 29.

    However, Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal asserted that the warehouse crew had already spotted these mushrooms and “were rejected during an inward” quality check, with a future packaging date at the company’s Hyderabad plant.” This is unusual and was caused by a vendor-side manual typing error. However, Goyal had stated on X, “The concerned vendor has been delisted from our database.”

    Zomato CEO Clarifies ‘Future Packing Date’ on Button Mushrooms
    Zomato’s CEO addresses consumer concerns over button mushrooms labeled with a ‘future packing date,’ providing clarity on the labeling issue.
    StartupTalkyNitin Konde

  • The CEO of Zomato Provides Clarification Regarding Button Mushrooms With a “Future Packing Date” Label

    On November 4, 2024, Zomato’s CEO, Deepinder Goyal, claimed that a “manual typing error on the vendor’s side” was the reason behind the discovery of 90 packets of button mushrooms branded with a “future packing date” during a food safety regulator’s raid at the company’s Hyperpure warehouse in Hyderabad. 90 of these button mushroom packets were found to have inaccurate packaging dates by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) team. Hyperpure is a business-to-business (B2B) vertical offered by Zomato.

    Goyal said in a post on the social media site X that the company’s warehouse team had already discovered these button mushrooms and had rejected them during an internal quality control (QC) process.

    Typing Error on Vendor’s Side

    This is not typical and was caused by a vendor-side manual typing error. However, the vendor in question has been removed from the company’s database. Goyal went on to say that Hyperpure’s personnel were able to spot this problem early on, thanks to the company’s strict internal policies and technological processes.

    Goyal said that they are dedicated to maintaining industry standards for food safety and are focused on ensuring that product quality is maintained throughout the supply chain.

    “We received an A+ rating, and I’m not sure why the media is talking about these few packets of mushrooms, worth Rs 7,200 (out of the crores of inventory in the warehouse), that were never going to reach customers,” the co-founder of Zomato stated.

    Hazardous Conditions at Zomato Hyperpure Warehouse in Hyderabad

    On October 29, the food safety officials paid a visit to the Zomato Hyperpure warehouse located in Kukatpally, Hyderabad. It was discovered that the establishment was using a state licence to operate.

    The officials observed food safety concerns at the warehouse during their visit. Team reported that 18 kg of button mushrooms with a “future date of packing” were discovered. The label read ‘October 30, 2024’, yet the inspection was conducted on October 29.

    In addition, the team observed that the warehouse was “open directly to the outside environment without a proper insect-proof screen” and that house flies were present inside. Furthermore, some of the food workers were discovered without their aprons and hair caps.

    This episode follows a previous finding of expired items during an inspection at another Blinkit warehouse that is also run by Zomato. In response to the FSSAI’s findings, Blinkit pledged to take corrective steps. Goyal maintains that despite recent criticism, Zomato takes safety standards seriously and says tech-driven quality checks shield customers from the labelling error. Zomato’s leadership is dedicated to improving procedures to prevent future issues because food safety is still a delicate topic in India, especially during festive seasons.

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    StartupTalkyNitin Konde

  • Swiggy Introduces “Swiggy Seal” to Guarantee Food Safety in 650 Cities

    Swiggy has launched the “Swiggy Seal,” a new project designed to improve food preparation and packaging methods across its restaurant partners in 650 locations, in an effort to raise food hygiene and quality standards. According to a news agency report, the goal of this project is to assist restaurants in upholding strict hygienic standards, giving customers greater assurance over the food they order via Swiggy.

    Pune has already seen the debut of the programme, and other cities will follow in November. This comes after Zomato and Swiggy increased their platform fees to InR 10 in advance of the Diwali festival.

    How does Swiggy’s Seal Work?

    On restaurant pages within the Swiggy app, the Swiggy Seal is a badge that highlights establishments that adhere to strict criteria for food quality and hygiene. Restaurants must exhibit a dedication to upholding stringent food safety regulations, appropriate cooking methods, and superior packaging in order to be eligible for the Seal.

    Swiggy evaluates and selects eateries that qualify for the Seal based on data gathered from its 7 million verified customers over the last six months. The Seal will be displayed by restaurants that continuously meet these requirements, letting patrons know that the establishment is reputable for food safety and cleanliness. But Swiggy has also made it clear that a restaurant’s Seal could be taken away if they don’t uphold these requirements.

    Assistance for Eateries

    In order to assist its restaurant partners in meeting these requirements, Swiggy is also providing them with committed support. This includes having access to expert hygiene audits via collaborations with organisations like Equinox and Eurofins that have been approved by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

    Because these audits are provided at a reduced cost, restaurants may more easily make sure that food safety laws are being followed. Furthermore, Swiggy will give eateries thorough reports based on consumer input that include practical suggestions for enhancements. Additionally, the company offers exclusive services like cleaning and pest control and hosts webinars to teach restaurant owners about optimal hygiene procedures.

    Seal Bringing in More Transparency into the System

    Customers may experience a new level of transparency and assurance with the Swiggy Seal. Users can view which restaurants have received the Seal, a proof that they adhere to strict quality and sanitary standards, when placing food orders via the Swiggy app.

    The programme aims to assist consumers in making knowledgeable choices about where to place their orders, especially in a market where concerns about food safety are on the rise. Through this initiative, Swiggy hopes to improve overall standards among its network of partners while providing consumers with the assurance that the food they order is made with care and delivered in a sanitary, safe environment.

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    StartupTalkyNitin Konde

  • World Food India 2024: A 4-day Event Celebrating Culinary Innovation in New Delhi

    World Food India 2024 is going to be held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, and it will occupy a spacious area of 70,000 square meters. The event is hosted by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries. Over 90 countries, 26 Indian states and union territories, and 18 central ministries and affiliated government agencies are present at this highly anticipated global event, which is taking place from September 19-22, 2024. The event is going to be a significant gathering of people who are interested in sustainability, technology, and innovation in the food processing industry. 

    This four-day event is expected to be an important event, bringing attention to India’s growing role as a worldwide powerhouse in the food processing industry.

    The Inaugural Session

    Prahlad Joshi, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution & New and Renewable Energy; Chirag Paswan, Union Minister of Food Processing Industries; and Ravneet Singh Bittu, Minister of States, Ministry of Food Processing Industries and Ministry of Railways will all be in attendance at the celebratory event. Additionally, Chirag Paswan and Ravneet Singh Bittu will engage in one-on-one conversations with prominent figures in the sector, as well as bilateral G2G talks with ministers and delegations from other nations.

    For the purpose of showcasing the actions and future plans that the government has for the expansion and development of the food processing sector in India, Paswan will be delivering a speech to the grand gathering that will be taking place during the event.

    Additionally, on the first day of the event, there will be a roundtable discussion with high-level CEOs. Piyush Goyal, the Union Minister for the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and Paswan will serve as co-chairs for this discussion.

    Other Highlights of the Event

    A significant number of buyers, over one thousand, will be present at the Reverse Buyer Seller Meet, which is being organised by APEDA, MPEDA, and the commodity boards. On September 20-21, 2024, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will be hosting the second edition of the Global Food Regulators Summit, which is being organised in partnership with World Food India.

    The World Food India 2024 initiative will have Japan as its partner country. Additionally, Vietnam and Iran will be participating as focus countries in this event. Over 40 different knowledge sessions, including thematic discussions, state-specific conferences, and country-specific conferences, will be held during the event. In addition, there will be panel discussions hosted by industry professionals, with over one hundred chief executive officers of agri-food firms present. A culinary competition called Swaad Sutra has been introduced by the organisers of World Food India 2024 in order to enhance the popularity of the event. The competition will showcase regional dishes from all around India.

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    StartupTalkyNitin Konde