FSSAI directs online platforms to deliver food items with minimum 45-day shelf life

FSSAI directs e-commerce platforms to ensure minimum shelf life of 30% or 45 days before expiry for food items.

Amid rising consumer complaints, food regulator FSSAI on Tuesday (November 12, 2024) directed e-commerce players selling food items on their platforms to ensure a minimum shelf life of 30% or 45 days before expiry, at the time of delivery to customers.

According to an official statement, Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) convened a meeting with e-commerce Food Business operators (FBOs) to reinforce compliance requirements for e-commerce FBOs.

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"The (FSSAI) CEO asked the e-commerce FBOs to adopt practices to ensure minimum shelf life of 30% or 45 days before expiry at the time of delivery to the consumer," the statement said.

Mr. Rao, who chaired the meeting, clarified that any product claims made on e-commerce platforms must align with the information provided on the product labels and in adherence to FSSAI’s Labelling and Display Regulations.

He also cautioned the FBOs against making unsupported claims online.

"This would prevent misleading information and protect consumers’ right to accurate product details," the regulator said.