FSSAI tells food firms to tighten quality checks amid rising complaints

MUMBAI: Food for thought has become food for scrutiny. As consumer complaints increasingly spill onto social media, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has asked food businesses to tighten quality controls, improve transparency and prepare for a more digitally monitored food supply chain.

According to media reports, the food regulator has directed food business operators (FBOs) to strictly comply with food safety regulations, strengthen internal quality assurance systems, adopt digital traceability mechanisms and communicate more transparently with consumers.

At the centre of the regulator’s latest push is a proposed digital traceability framework, designed to help authorities quickly identify the source of contaminated food products and contain foodborne illness outbreaks more effectively.

The technology-driven system is expected to improve oversight across the food supply chain by enabling faster product tracing and recalls whenever safety concerns arise, reducing the time taken to identify affected batches and protect consumers.

The advisory comes against the backdrop of a growing number of consumer complaints, many of which have surfaced on social media platforms. In recent months, FSSAI has reportedly issued notices to several food business operators, including e-commerce companies, over concerns related to product quality.

The regulator has also stepped up enforcement against energy drink manufacturers and alcoholic beverage companies, taking action over alleged misleading claims and labelling violations.

FSSAI has urged food businesses to reinforce their internal quality control processes and ensure full compliance with regulatory standards, stressing that robust food safety practices remain essential to protecting consumer interests.

The regulator’s renewed focus on digital monitoring reflects a broader shift towards technology-led compliance, where traceability and real-time oversight are becoming as important as traditional inspections. By improving visibility across the supply chain, FSSAI aims to respond more swiftly when food safety incidents occur.

The latest advisory signals that regulatory attention is moving beyond factory floors and into the digital space. As consumer feedback increasingly shapes enforcement priorities, food companies may find that maintaining trust now depends not only on what’s inside the packet, but also on how quickly they can prove where it came from and how safely it reached the shelf.