FSSAI tightens the screws for e-commerce food operators; Drafts new norms for the business
FSSAI tightens the screws for e-commerce food operators; Drafts new norms for the business

Witnessing a boom in online food ordering business, country's food safety regulator FSSAI has tighten up its screws for ecommerce food operators. As per the new norms drafted by FSSAI, the online food operators will now have to acquire a license from the regulator for the entire supply chain.

But the regulatory authority has kept e-commerce entities providing listing/ directory services to sellers, restaurants, vendors, importers or manufacturers of food products away from the norms hence, these entities don't need to obtain license to carry out their businesses.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has come out with draft guidelines for 'food business activities through e-commerce' after a meeting with the stakeholders in March. It is now seeking public comments.

The official draft stated that e-commerce FBOs will be covered under schedule-I of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regualation, 2011. The e-commerce food business operators (FBOs) will have to obtain license from the Central Licensing Authority for the entire supply chain.

The FSSAI has also defined e-commerce FBO as those entities which carry out any of the activities of section 3(n) of FSS Act through e-commerce platform. It has also defined the marketplace-based model of e-commerce FBO and inventory-based model of e-commerce FBO. No food business operation by himself, or by any person on his behalf, manufacture, sell or distribute any article of food which is unsafe; or misbranded or substandard, or contains extraneous matter; or for which a license is required, draft further stated. 

 
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