The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued show-cause notices to BigBasket, Flipkart, and Gemini Edibles & Fats India related to misleading health claims made about Cooking Rice Bran Oil, signaling intensified scrutiny of the ecommerce food sector.
- Notices issued for unauthorized health claims on rice bran oil
- Gemini Edibles & Fats India lacks valid licence for ecommerce sales
- FSSAI plans stricter ecommerce and cloud kitchen regulations
What happened
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued show-cause notices to ecommerce giants BigBasket and Flipkart, alongside manufacturer Gemini Edibles & Fats India, over allegedly misleading claims made about the health benefits of their 'Freedom Cooking Rice Bran Oil'. The oil was promoted with claims about reducing bad cholesterol and boosting good cholesterol, which contravene the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018. Additionally, Gemini Edibles was found selling food products through its own ecommerce site without the required Central Licence for online food sales.
These notices came after the FSSAI reviewed promotional materials across digital platforms and ecommerce storefronts. This is part of a wider regulatory crackdown on misleading advertising and food safety violations on ecommerce and quick commerce platforms. The regulator has previously penalized major platforms like Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, and Zepto for similar violations including misbranding, sale of expired or unsafe food products, and failure to maintain hygiene in storage facilities.
Why it matters
The heightened enforcement reflects growing regulatory concern over food safety and consumer protection in the rapidly expanding ecommerce and quick commerce food delivery markets in India. Misleading health claims not only compromise consumer trust but risk public health by providing inaccurate information about product benefits.
FSSAI’s actions underscore a need for stronger oversight of digital food sales to ensure adherence to safety standards. The notices to leading platforms signal to the entire sector the importance of compliance with advertising and licensing laws. They also highlight regulatory intent to hold marketplaces accountable for claims made by third-party sellers, which could reshape ecommerce responsibilities.
What to watch next
FSSAI is considering introducing dedicated regulations for ecommerce platforms, quick commerce operators, and cloud kitchens. Proposed rules may mandate detailed online disclosures such as manufacturing and expiry dates, batch numbers, and physical addresses for cloud kitchens, aiming to increase transparency for consumers.
In parallel, state food safety authorities are actively inspecting and penalizing dark stores and warehouses linked with food delivery platforms for violations, suggesting a coordinated effort to enforce higher standards. The outcomes of these regulatory refinements will be critical for marketplaces, manufacturers, and consumers navigating India’s evolving digital food ecosystem.