FSSAI Compliance for E-Commerce Food Marketplaces: Zomato, Swiggy, Amazon & More

FSSAI's New Rules for E-Commerce Food Platforms

In 2020, FSSAI issued the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) — Amendment Regulations and specific guidance on e-commerce food business operations. The core principle is that both the e-commerce platform AND the food business listed on it must be FSSAI-compliant.

FSSAI Requirements for E-Commerce Food Platforms (Zomato, Swiggy, etc.)

E-commerce platforms that facilitate sale of food are treated as Food Business Operators (FBOs) themselves and must:

• Obtain their own FSSAI Central License (since they operate pan-India)
• Only list FSSAI-registered or licensed food businesses on their platforms
• Verify and display the FSSAI registration/license number of each listed FBO
• Remove listings of FBOs with expired or cancelled FSSAI licenses
• Ensure that product listings do not make false or misleading claims
• Maintain records of all FBO FSSAI numbers and renewal dates
• Cooperate with FSSAI inspections and provide FBO data when requested

What Food Business Operators Need to List on Zomato/Swiggy

If you want to list your restaurant, cloud kitchen, or food brand on Zomato, Swiggy, or other food delivery platforms:

Mandatory Requirements

• Valid FSSAI Registration or License: This is non-negotiable. No FSSAI number = no listing. Your 14-digit FSSAI number must be provided during onboarding.
• FSSAI Number must match the cooking/preparation address: If your FSSAI license is for Address A but you cook from Address B, you will fail onboarding verification.
• Active license: Expired FSSAI licenses will result in your listing being suspended.

Additional Documents for Onboarding

Document	Zomato	Swiggy
FSSAI Registration/License	Mandatory	Mandatory
GSTIN	Required for GST billing	Required for GST billing
PAN Card	Mandatory	Mandatory
Bank Account (for payment)	Mandatory	Mandatory
Menu photographs	Recommended	Required

Selling Packaged Food on Amazon, Flipkart, BigBasket

For sellers of packaged food products (snacks, spices, beverages, health foods) on e-commerce marketplaces:

• FSSAI License Number: Must appear on both the physical packaging and the product listing page
• Nutritional Information: Required in product listings for packaged food
• Allergen information: Must be disclosed
• Shelf life: Products listed must have at least 70% of their remaining shelf life at time of dispatch
• Best Before/Use By date: Must be clearly visible on packaging and in product listing
• No misleading claims: Health claims on product listings must be substantiated and FSSAI-compliant

Dark Stores and Quick Commerce (Blinkit, Zepto, Swiggy Instamart)

Quick commerce platforms (10–30 minute delivery) operate "dark stores" (micro-warehouses) from which they fulfill orders. FSSAI requirements for dark store operations:

• Each dark store that stores food products needs its own FSSAI Storage License (a sub-category of State License)
• Temperature-controlled storage for perishables must be maintained and documented
• Regular pest control and cleaning records must be maintained
• FIFO (First In, First Out) inventory management must be implemented to prevent near-expiry products from being dispatched
• The platform is responsible for ensuring expired products are removed from inventory

Consequences for Platforms That List Unlicensed FBOs

FSSAI has increasingly taken action against platforms for onboarding unlicensed FBOs:

• Show cause notices to platforms for failure to verify FBO licenses
• Potential suspension of the platform's own FSSAI Central License
• Financial penalties for each unlicensed FBO listed
• FSSAI has conducted surprise checks of popular restaurants on Zomato/Swiggy to verify FSSAI compliance

Conclusion

The e-commerce food space is under increasing regulatory scrutiny. Whether you are a platform like Zomato or a home baker selling cookies on Instagram, FSSAI compliance is mandatory. Getting your FSSAI license is the entry ticket to the digital food economy — without it, you cannot legally operate on any major food delivery or e-commerce platform. Velco Legal India helps FBOs get their FSSAI registration and license quickly, specifically to meet platform onboarding requirements.