FSSAI orders online delivery platforms to give nutrition values of food

In a recent order passed, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has directed food aggregators Swiggy and Zomato have to list the nutritional values and allergens of all food items to be sold from their platforms.

Starting July 1, FSSAI has also asked these aggregators to ensure that their business partners that run over 10 food outlets and have annual revenue of more than INR 20 Cr have applied for a central (food) license.

Further the guidelines asked food aggregators to do the menu labeling for the food they sell online. Besides, they will also have to direct food establishments (restaurant operators) to show nutritional value such as calorie intake and allergen information on the food items that are listed on their platforms.

“The aim is to inform people about what kind of food they are ordering online and the kind of nutritional and allergen content (present in the food),” added Arun Singhal, CEO, FSSAI.

At present, packaged food have labels that display nutritional information of the items. On the other hand, cooked food does not have such information. By enabling menu labeling on cooked food items, consumers will be able to make healthier choices, it added.

To enable menu labeling, FSSAI has ordered Swiggy and Zomato to upgrade their platforms so that food business operators can add information regarding the nutritional value of food that they sell.

FSSAI has also asked all regional directors to ensure that ecommerce food business aggregators (foodtech giants and food delivery platforms) are complying with the new regulations. In case, any ecommerce food business aggregators failing to adhere to the new norms, then an improvement notice will be issued to them. Despite this, if they fail to comply then their license will be cancelled.