FSSAI asks online food platforms to comply with norms on display of nutritional value

food regulator FSSAI have inquired online food platforms I like it swiggy and ensure compliance with its regulations related to the display of nutritional value by food service establishments as of July 1. In a letter to all electronic businesses Food business operators (FBO), the FSSAI has asked them to make provisions on their platforms, including mobile apps, for displaying the caloric value and information related to nutrition and allergens. This would allow FBOs to feed data into online platforms.

FSSAI had published labeling and display regulations in 2020 for food service establishments.

In the letter, the FSSAI said that “all e-commerce food business operators are directed to enable provisioning on their online platforms, including mobile apps, to display nutritional information… so that registered FBOs on their respective platforms they can feed and update said information regarding each dish/food that they are offering for sale”.

When contacted, the Zomato spokesperson said: “We already display nutritional and allergen status when a restaurant voluntarily shares required information with us. In accordance with FSSAI guidelines, we are working with restaurant partners who now have mandate to allow our customers to make an informed choice.

Swiggy, however, did not comment.

FSSAI has also asked its regional directors to ensure the necessary compliance with them through e-commerce FBOs.

In its address, the FSSAI referenced the provisions for ‘Display of information in food service establishments, under the FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations’ 2O2O which will come into effect on July 1, 2022.

Under these regulations, centrally licensed food service establishments or outlets in 10 or more locations are required to list the calorific value (in kcal per serving and serving size) against foods displayed on the labels. menu cards, boards or brochures.

They must also provide information related to nutrition, allergens and ingredients, among others.

In addition, FSSAI said that the regulations also stipulate that e-commerce FBOs must obtain the required nutritional information from the respective food business operators and provide it on their website where appropriate.

This information will be displayed only for those FBOs who meet the criteria, the food regulator said.

Menu labeling will apply to centrally licensed food service establishments; outlets in ten or more locations; E-commerce FBOs that sell food products that they are required to declare under menu labeling for those foods.

Catering establishments for events and food service establishments that operate less than sixty days in a calendar year (consecutive or non-consecutive) are exempt from the scope of application of this regulation.