FSSAI Initiates Penal Action Against Amazon, Flipkart, Swiggy Instamart, BigBasket & Zepto Over Food Safety Violations

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has initiated penal action against five major e-commerce and quick-commerce platforms—Amazon, Flipkart India, Swiggy Instamart, BigBasket and Zepto—for alleged food safety and regulatory non-compliances.

The action, announced by the food regulator on September 23, covers issues including misbranding and misleading claims, non-compliant product information, and the sale, display or offering for sale of prohibited or poisonous food articles through online platforms.

FSSAI has initiated action against all five platforms in connection with the listing of Happilo Premium Date Bites – Zesty Orange. According to the regulator, the product was associated with misleading or otherwise non-compliant claims on the platforms.

Thus, Amazon Seller Services, Flipkart India, Swiggy Instamart, Zepto Marketplace and Innovative Retail Concepts Pvt Ltd, which operates BigBasket, have all been named in the enforcement action concerning the product.

The proceedings have been initiated under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, along with applicable regulations governing food products and their sale through e-commerce platforms.

Separate action has also been initiated against Swiggy Instamart and BigBasket concerning product claims and information relating to three Milky Mist dairy products—Fresh Low Fat Cream, Farm Fresh Curd and Greek Yoghurt.

FSSAI has described the concerns as relating to misleading claims and non-compliant product information associated with the products when offered through the platforms. The action brings product descriptions and representations made on online marketplaces under greater regulatory scrutiny, particularly as consumers increasingly rely on digital platforms for packaged food, groceries and other food products.

Growing scrutiny of online food sales

The latest action comes amid increased regulatory scrutiny of online food businesses and quick-commerce platforms. FSSAI said it has stepped up enforcement against food business operators and e-commerce companies over the past six months and has also been informing consumers about enforcement measures through social media.

In July 2025, FSSAI had also warned major e-commerce and food-delivery companies to strictly follow food safety and hygiene protocols, stressing that non-compliance could invite regulatory action.

The latest proceedings also come against the backdrop of inspections of physical facilities operated by quick-commerce companies. In August 2026, Maharashtra's food regulator reportedly suspended licences of 14 food business establishments linked to Blinkit, Zepto and Swiggy Instamart following inspections of dark stores that identified food safety and hygiene violations.