FSSAI Issues 9 Notices to Swiggy Instamart Over Food Safety Breaches

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the nation's apex food regulator, has taken significant action against quick commerce platform Swiggy Instamart, issuing nine notices over multiple alleged food safety violations. These notices stem from a barrage of consumer complaints reporting the supply of expired, spoiled, rotten, contaminated, and otherwise unsafe food products through the platform. The complaints detail a range of serious issues, including the delivery of expired products such as 'Healthify 100% Whey Protein 1 kg' and 'Noice Homestyle Madras Mixture with Peanuts'. Consumers also reported receiving 'Akshayakalpa Organic Eggs' that were expired, rotten, emitted a foul odour, and showed clear signs of contamination, rendering them unfit for human consumption. Similar allegations were made regarding 'Kakke da Paratha', which was found to be spoiled and emitting a foul smell. A particularly concerning allegation highlighted by the FSSAI involves an infant food formulation that was reportedly delivered in a highly deteriorated and unsafe condition, showing signs of contamination and improper storage and handling. Disturbingly, the same product was allegedly re-supplied to the consumer even after the defective item had been returned. Further complaints included the delivery of contaminated eggs and milk, along with damaged packaged food items. Beyond product quality, the FSSAI's notices also raised critical concerns regarding various operational and compliance lapses. These include allegations of incorrect, invalid, or non-existent FSSAI license numbers associated with food business entities listed on the platform. Some entities were purportedly operating under names different from those reflected in their FSSAI registrations. For instance, 'NOICE Eggs' were allegedly marketed under a brand name not covered by the existing FSSAI license, prompting the regulator to direct the Food Business Operator (FBO) not to market such products without a valid license or a required modification. Consumer grievance redressal mechanisms were also found wanting. Several complainants reported that they received no satisfactory response, grievance redressal, or corrective action despite escalating their complaints. In some instances, only a refund was offered without adequately addressing the underlying food safety concerns. This indicates alleged deficiencies in seller onboarding, compliance verification, traceability, food quality monitoring, and the overall supervision of food business activities facilitated by the platform. The FSSAI has unequivocally directed Swiggy Instamart to submit a detailed explanation, supported by documentary evidence, to address the alleged non-compliances and the circumstances leading to these incidents. The regulator has also demanded details of Swiggy Instamart's quality assurance systems, food safety monitoring, inventory management, stock rotation, hygiene, storage, handling practices, and internal controls implemented to ensure food safety compliance. The Food Business Operator has been given a stipulated period to furnish the required explanation and compliance report, with a stern warning that failure to do so could result in appropriate legal action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. It is important to note that this development comes shortly after Swiggy clarified a separate regulatory matter concerning its budget food delivery platform, 'Toing'. Swiggy had received a prohibition order from the FSSAI on July 6, 2026, related to observations regarding the updation of license particulars for Toing. Swiggy stated that this was an administrative issue, involved no food safety concerns, and was promptly resolved after obtaining a modified FSSAI license on July 9, 2026. The company affirmed that no monetary penalty was imposed for the Toing issue and it is not expected to have any material financial impact. However, Swiggy has not yet issued a detailed public response to the specific allegations outlined by the FSSAI regarding Instamart. This action by FSSAI underscores a heightened regulatory scrutiny of India's burgeoning quick commerce sector, which handles vast quantities of packaged food, groceries, dairy products, and fresh produce. It reflects the regulator's commitment to intensifying enforcement measures in response to a growing number of consumer complaints related to online food and grocery deliveries, emphasizing the paramount importance of ensuring public health and consumer trust in digital delivery platforms.

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