Over 5,000 unsafe restaurants delisted from platforms like Zomato, Swiggy for violating FSSAI norms
During an inspection in July, FSSAI officials found that 30-40% of restaurants listed on the online food delivery apps didn’t have a valid license or registration
Popular online food ordering platforms – including the likes of Zomato, Swiggy and Foodpanda – have delisted over 5,000 ‘unsafe’ restaurants for not having the required approval from food safety regulator FSSAI.
Back in July, FSSAI had asked these companies to delist restaurants or delivery kitchens which did not have the requisite licenses after receiving complaints about sub-standard food being served through some eateries.
At least ten major platforms – including Swiggy, Zomato, Foodpanda, Box8, Faasos, FoodCloud, Foodmingo, JusFood, LimeTray, and UberEats – have collectively removed the restaurants from their respective apps.
“Over 5,000 restaurants have been delisted by the e-commerce food service platforms,” Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) CEO Pawan Kumar Agarwal said.
During an inspection in July, officials found that 30 to 40 percent of restaurants listed on the food delivery apps didn’t have a valid license or registration.
Later, on July 20, FSSAI directed the 10 food aggregators to debar the non-FSSAI licensed/registered food operators and ensure compliance of food safety rules and regulations.
The body also asked them to furnish a state-wide list so enforcement agencies could take further action.
“We have delisted hundreds of restaurants across the 41 cities in India where we offer our online ordering and food delivery services. We would be happy to relist them alongside any of the other partners as and when they furnish their licences,” Zomato Food Delivery CEO Mohit Gupta said.
FSSAI had earlier directed food ordering platforms to furnish their FSSAI licence, agreement signed with Food Business Operators (FBOs) and their internal checks to ensure that their FBOs hold valid FSSAI licences.
FSSAI operationalised guidelines for e-commerce FBOs in February this year in wake of the growing popularity of online ordering platforms.
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