When you add groceries to your online cart, you expect to see crucial details. But key safety information, like the exact expiry date, is often missing because proposed FSSAI rules for e-commerce platforms have not been fully put into practice.
The Promise of Transparent Groceries
The Food
Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been working to make online food and grocery shopping safer for millions of Indians. A major part of this effort involves new rules for e-commerce companies like Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and Zepto. Following stakeholder consultations in mid-2026, the regulator outlined several key mandates. The most significant proposal for consumers was the requirement for these platforms to display the 'best before' or 'use by' date, manufacturing date, and batch number for all food products on their apps and websites before a customer makes a purchase. This would allow shoppers to know the exact freshness and shelf life of an item, not just a vague description.
Why This Information Is Crucial
The absence of clear expiry dates poses a tangible risk to consumer health. Without this information at the point of purchase, customers have no way of knowing if they are buying a product that is nearing its expiry or is already unsafe to consume. This is particularly concerning for perishable goods like dairy, bread, and packaged meats. Beyond the health risks, this information gap affects consumer trust and can lead to food wastage. An existing FSSAI requirement already states that food products delivered via e-commerce must have at least 30% of their shelf life remaining or 45 days until expiry, whichever is applicable. However, without the upfront display of the expiry date, consumers cannot verify this until the product arrives at their doorstep, by which time returning it can be a hassle.
A Regulatory Standstill
While the headline suggests a complete halt, the situation is more nuanced. FSSAI has been actively tightening its grip on e-commerce platforms. Following a meeting on June 25, 2026, many new rules regarding traceability, a ban on misleading claims, and ensuring online product descriptions match physical labels were slated for immediate compliance. However, the specific mandate for displaying expiry dates, shelf life, and batch numbers on the consumer interface was given a later deadline of October 1, 2026. This delay was to allow platforms the necessary time to make the required technological upgrades to their systems. The implementation was also subject to final approval by the food authority. Past attempts to enforce similar disclosure rules have met with resistance from platforms, who have cited the logistical difficulty of managing and displaying this data for hundreds of thousands of items.
What Are Your Rights Today?
Even with the delay, consumers are not without protections. Current regulations under the FSS Act require all food business operators (FBOs), including e-commerce platforms, to ensure the food they sell is safe and compliant. Platforms are responsible for listing only FBOs with a valid FSSAI license and must delist any non_compliant products immediately. Furthermore, rules prohibit misleading health or nutritional claims and require that product images and descriptions online accurately represent the physical item. FSSAI has also been conducting more inspections of 'dark stores'—the local warehouses used by quick_commerce companies—to check on storage conditions and food safety practices.
How Consumers Can Stay Vigilant
Until these expiry_date disclosure rules are fully implemented and enforced, consumers need to be extra cautious. Always inspect groceries upon delivery. Check the physical packaging for the 'best before' or 'use by' date before accepting the order. If a product is expired or very close to expiring, use the platform's customer service channels to report it and request a refund or replacement. You also have the right to file a complaint directly through the FSSAI's consumer grievance portals. Keeping a record of your order and taking photos of the product labels can help substantiate your complaint. Being an alert consumer not only protects you but also pressures these platforms to prioritise food safety.
