1. Draft Guidelines for E-commerce FBO – Published
by Food Safety Standard Authority of India (FSSAI)
- Baskaran – G – Food Safety Specialist.
In wake of various consumer complaints against e-commerce food companies, FSSAI finally
published guidelines draft for e- commerce food business operator (FBO) on 20th
September 2016.
This move really is seen as a positive step in view to safeguard consumer health and safety. In
India, e-commerce space is growing rapidly from a year on year. It is estimated that growth of e-
commerce in the year of 2016 is $ 8.8 Billion more than five times from 2012. (Fig-1). Therefore,
it is seen as an imperative business module to ensure consumer health and safety.
Fig-1Source: Forrester Research, Inc

2. 2
Registration and Licensing:
- All e- Commerce FBOs like Sellers, Vendors, Importers, Processors, Packagers or
Manufacturer who display or offer their food products shall liable to obtain the license
from the central licensing authorities for their entire supply chain like Head Office/ register
office, transportation, storage and distribution.
- Exceptions are provided to the entity who provides listing / directory services to sellers,
restaurants, vendors, importers, or manufacturers. However, e-commerce entity providing
listing/ directory services shall ensure that no misleading information / false claims listed or
available on their platform.
E-commerce compliance requirements:
- All e-commerce FBO shall fulfil the requirement of FSS Act -2006 and the Rules and
Regulation made thereunder at all stages of their operations i.e. Production, Processing,
Import, Distribution and sale of the product under their control
- All e-commerce FBO need to have signed agreement with seller – which specify seller in
compliant with FSS Act and Rules & Regulations.
- Sellers require to display their FSS License / Registration obtained under FSS Act and
Regulations.
- Sellers who display any pre-packed foods for sale need to be legible and clear picture of the
principal display panel
- Sellers who are dealing with fresh produce shall provide an indicative image of the same
produce
- Mandatory information like storage condition, disclaimers warning, and etc., shall be
provided without charging consumers supplementary costs
- E-commerce entity / FBO shall immediately delist any food products which are not
compliance to the FFS Act or Rules and Regulations
- E-commerce FBO liable and bound to take action on the complaint raised by consumer
- E-commerce FBO co-operates with consumers to enable satisfactory resolution like sharing
relevant information including sellers details.
Sampling/Testing :
- The food products offered for sale by e-commerce FBO liable to sampling/ testing at any
point of the supply chain i.e. Production, Processing, Packaging, Storing and Distribution.