GUWAHATI: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued nine notices to quick commerce platform Swiggy Instamart following multiple consumer complaints alleging food safety violations.
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The company has been directed to submit a detailed explanation and compliance report. FSSAI said that failure to provide a satisfactory response may lead to appropriate legal action.
According to FSSAI, the complaints received from consumers alleged the supply of expired, spoiled, rotten, contaminated and otherwise unsafe food products through Swiggy Instamart.
NOICE" Eggs were reportedly marketed under a brand name that was not covered under the product categories approved in the existing FSSAI licence. The company was directed not to market the product unless it was covered under a valid licence and to apply for licence modification, if required.
Some products were also allegedly supplied after their expiry dates. Certain branded eggs were reportedly found to be expired, rotten, emitting a foul odour and showing signs of contamination, making them unfit for human consumption.
“No corrective action by FBO taken despite escalation,” FSSAI said.
Further, some ready to eat parathas were reportedly found spoiled, emitting a foul odour and rendering it unfit for human consumption.
An infant food formulation was reportedly found in a highly deteriorated and unsafe condition, showing signs of contamination and improper storage and handling. The same product was allegedly re-supplied to the consumer after the defective product had been returned.
“The notices also raised concerns regarding an incorrect, invalid or non-existent FSSAI Licence Number and food business entities allegedly being listed under names different from those reflected against their FSSAI Registration,” FSSAI said.
Some complaints alleged that no satisfactory response, grievance redressal or corrective action was taken despite the complaints being forwarded or escalated, while one complaint stated that only a refund was offered without addressing the reported food safety concerns.