The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has initiated penal action against Amazon, Flipkart India, Swiggy Instamart, Zepto and BigBasket over
alleged violations linked to food listings. The regulator announced the action on Wednesday as part of what it described as a major crackdown on e-commerce platforms.
FSSAI said the cases involve non-compliance such as misbranding, misleading claims and the sale or display of prohibited or poisonous food articles. The announcement does not mean that every allegation has reached a final ruling.
What the regulator has alleged
Reports citing FSSAI said one issue involved claims associated with a food product listed as Happilo Premium Date Bites, Zesty Orange. The regulator also referred to restricted products appearing on online platforms.
The action covers both large marketplaces and quick-commerce services. These businesses connect consumers with sellers and fulfilment networks, making accurate labels and lawful product listings important for food safety.
Details of the proposed penalties, the number of listings involved and the legal stage of each case were not fully disclosed in the source material reviewed. The companies’ responses to the latest action were also not included.
Online food sellers face closer checks
The development comes as regulators increase scrutiny of food products sold through online channels. Recent enforcement drives in several cities have examined storage conditions, expiry dates, labels and the sale of products that may not meet food safety rules.
FSSAI is the central authority responsible for setting and enforcing food safety standards in India. Any final penalty would depend on the applicable provisions, evidence and adjudication process.
Consumers should check labels, expiry dates, seller details and safety warnings before buying food online. Platforms and sellers will need to remove unlawful listings and ensure that claims made on product pages match regulatory requirements.
