E-tailers selling food products must register, says FSSAI

Any e-commerce player selling food products or dealing in food business will have to get registered with food regulator Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), a top official said.

The authority has directed online retailers that if they are dealing in food products or its business, then they have to register under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, with the FSSAI, regulator’s Chairman Ashish Bahuguna told PTI.

“These e-commerce players at their platforms are also selling food products or dealing in one or another form of food business. And food and food businesses come under the ambit of FSSAI so they have to just register,” he said.

The regulator said that without registration it would be “illegal” for these companies to deal in food products or food business and "an appropriate action as per the Food Safety and Standards law could also be explored" for violation.

He also informed that the FSSAI had invited these companies and held a meeting in this regard.

In coming days, food specific startups Foodpanda India, Zomato, Swiggy and Peppertap and e-commerce giants like Flipkart, Snapdeal and Amazon may have to register with the regulator.

FSSAI Chief Executive Officer Pawan Agarwal said registering with the FSSAI will also be in the interest of e-commerce players.

“By following the regulations of the food safety act, the e-commerce players can ensure the quality of food products or even services to their consumers. And which will help these companies also,” Agarwal told PTI.

Agarwal added that there transactions are electronic but if they are selling food products or dealing in food business, then that comes under the FSSAI ambit.

FSSAI has been established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, that have hitherto handled food related issues.