FSSAI asks consumers to report unsafe food through mobile app

MUMBAI: If something leaves a bad taste, don’t just complain at the dinner table, report it. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has called on consumers to become active participants in safeguarding food quality by reporting unsafe food, unhygienic kitchens and poor food handling practices through its Food Safety Connect mobile application.

In a post on X, the regulator urged citizens to flag food safety violations, saying public participation can help authorities identify problems faster and strengthen compliance across restaurants, retailers and online food delivery businesses.

The appeal comes as FSSAI intensifies enforcement across India’s food ecosystem, with a series of inspections and compliance actions in recent weeks.

Most recently, the regulator issued nine notices to Swiggy Instamart following customer complaints related to food quality, labelling and licensing.

The complaints ranged from products allegedly delivered beyond their expiry dates to spoiled ready-to-eat meals, rotten eggs, contaminated dairy products and damaged packaged goods. Some consumers also reported receiving food that appeared to have deteriorated because of inadequate storage or handling.

FSSAI also flagged suspected licensing irregularities. In one case, eggs sold under the NOICE brand were allegedly listed under a licence that did not cover that product category, prompting the regulator to seek clarification and direct the business to obtain the necessary approvals before continuing sales, if required.

Beyond product quality, the notices raised concerns around seller verification, product traceability, licence information displayed on the platform and the handling of consumer grievances. The regulator is also examining whether existing inventory management, stock rotation, food storage and quality control systems are robust enough to prevent similar incidents.

Swiggy Instamart has been asked to submit a detailed compliance report outlining its food safety protocols, quality control measures, internal monitoring mechanisms and corrective actions taken in response to the complaints. FSSAI has also sought details of the steps planned to prevent repeat violations, warning that non-compliance could attract action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

The regulator’s enforcement drive extends beyond online platforms. Earlier, authorities ordered the closure of a spice manufacturing unit in Lucknow after an inspection allegedly uncovered adulterated materials, with samples sent for laboratory testing.

With surveillance expanding across both physical establishments and digital food commerce, FSSAI is increasingly relying on consumers as an additional line of defence, encouraging them to use the Food Safety Connect app to report suspected violations and help speed up investigations.