What's New: A Regulatory Response
The rapid growth of quick commerce has prompted regulators to act. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has significantly increased its scrutiny. Recently, it issued nine notices to Swiggy Instamart following a wave of consumer complaints
about expired, spoiled, and contaminated products. These actions signal a new phase of enforcement, where both the platforms and their network of 'dark stores'—the small, local warehouses that enable rapid delivery—are being held accountable. FSSAI now mandates that all e-commerce entities, including quick-commerce players, hold a central license and ensure that every dark store has its own FSSAI storage license. Recent directives also require that all food items must have at least 45 days of shelf life at the time of delivery, a rule aimed at preventing the sale of near-expiry goods. This regulatory catch-up is a direct response to public concerns and incidents that have highlighted gaps in the system.
What Matters: From Dark Store to Your Door
For consumers, safety isn't an abstract concept; it's about the food that arrives at their door. The most critical element is the integrity of the supply chain, which begins in the dark store. These facilities face immense pressure to process orders quickly, which can lead to lapses. Key areas of concern include maintaining the cold chain for dairy and frozen items, where even brief temperature changes can lead to spoilage. Another is hygiene. Inspections in Maharashtra found some dark stores operating with fungal contamination, pests, and expired items mixed with fresh stock, leading to licence suspensions for facilities linked to both Zepto and Blinkit. Product handling, storage, and implementing a "First In, First Out" (FIFO) system to manage inventory are non-negotiable for ensuring safety. Brands that sell on these platforms are also raising alarms, worried that poor storage conditions, like keeping snacks near strong-smelling items, could damage their products and reputation.
The Corporate Playbook: Tech and Training
In response to growing scrutiny, quick-commerce companies are emphasising their commitment to safety, often pointing to technology as the solution. They use sophisticated inventory management systems to track expiry dates and manage stock rotation. Platforms are also required to ensure that all their listed sellers have valid FSSAI licenses. However, complaints and regulatory actions show that this system is not foolproof. FSSAI has pushed for greater transparency, now requiring platforms to provide comprehensive details of their warehouses on a central portal and even upload photographs of storage facilities. Additionally, there is a new emphasis on training, with a mandate for all food handlers, including e-commerce staff, to undergo FSSAI's food safety training. Despite these measures, incidents continue to occur, raising questions about whether the speed of delivery is outpacing the ability to ensure consistent quality control across hundreds of decentralized dark stores.
What Remains Unclear: The Gaps in the System
Despite new rules, significant grey areas persist. A major issue is that there is no separate regulatory framework designed specifically for the unique model of quick commerce. Dark stores are currently governed by the same general rules as any other food business, which may not be adequate for a high-speed, high-volume environment. Inspection frequency is not fixed and varies by state, often based on a risk assessment rather than a mandatory schedule. This has led to a reactive approach, with crackdowns often following consumer complaints rather than preventing issues proactively. Furthermore, there is a lack of transparency for consumers. Information like expiry dates is not always displayed on product listings before purchase, a violation of existing rules. Finally, the immense pressure on delivery riders and dark store workers to meet the 10-minute target raises concerns about whether safety protocols are compromised in the race against the clock.
