FSSAI directs e-tailers to obtain licenses to sell food products in India

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued an order directing e-commerce businesses to obtain licenses in order to sell food products in India. According to sources, this was done to remove any ambiguity over regulations on e-commerce in the country.

Now, e-commerce food business operators (FBOs) have to obtain a license from the Central Licensing Authority for the entire supply chain that includes the head office, the registered office, the manufacturers, the places of storage and distribution, etc.

FSSAI has also asked the e-tailers to ensure that the delivery of the food is undertaken by trained delivery personnel to ensure the safety of the food.

The order stated that e-commerce includes all buying and selling of goods and services related to food over the digital and electronic network. It could be via the Internet, television channels or mobile phones.

According to the guidelines, e-commerce FBOs are required to sign an agreement with the sellers, brand owners, manufacturers averring that they are compliant with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and Regulations, 2011.

Also, they have to display their FSSAI license numbers while selling the food products online and that the food products offered for sale by the e-commerce platforms shall be liable to sampling at any point.

Further, the e-tailers should also specify that the liability for any violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and Regulations, 2011 would be with sellers, brand owners, vendors, importers or manufacturers of the food products.

The rules also made it mandatory for e-commerce FBOs to display the proper picture of the food items and maintain a consumer complaint cell.

It is pertinent to mention here that the apex food regulator had recently issued detailed guidelines for that direct selling of food products including via e-platforms.

It did not use the term e-commerce, but included every form of direct selling. An FSSAI source has stated that the regulator has issued a separate set of guidelines to avert any vagueness in the guidelines that were issued earlier.