The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has initiated action against quick-commerce platform Zepto and several food companies over alleged safety and labelling violations, placing expired goods, ingredient disclosures, supplement claims, and fruit juice marketing under regulatory scrutiny.
FSSAI issued a notice to Zepto Marketplace Private Limited following an online complaint alleging that two packets of gram flour, or besan, were delivered past their use-by date. The regulator directed the company to investigate the order, verify warehouse and seller details, explain the lapse, and outline corrective steps including stock withdrawal, customer notification, and refunds.
In a separate matter, FSSAI questioned Bakelite Food Processing Private Limited over its Puneri Cream Roll product, which is sold on quick-commerce apps like Blinkit and Zepto. The regulator noted that while the product used the term cream in its name, the listed ingredients comprised refined wheat flour, hydrogenated vegetable fat, margarine, and sugar without any dairy components, raising concerns about consumer deception.
Health-related labelling and claims on cranberry supplements from BMS Lifescience and Healthyhey Foods LLP also drew regulatory scrutiny. FSSAI flagged an expired registration certificate and potential disease-related claims for BMS Lifescience's cranberry capsules, along with unauthorized use of the FSSAI logo. Similar concerns regarding labelling discrepancies and unapproved claims were raised against Healthyhey Foods LLP's cranberry extract products.
Additionally, FSSAI sanctioned adjudication proceedings against Storia Foods & Beverages Private Limited concerning labelling statements on its pomegranate juice. The regulator examined the product's composition, which contained 4 percent pomegranate juice concentrate and 12 percent apple juice concentrate, alongside claims such as equivalent to 100 percent fruit juice and no added sugar.
The involved companies have been instructed to respond to the notices or participate in the mandated proceedings. FSSAI noted that these notices and the launch of proceedings do not constitute final findings of liability, as the allegations remain subject to standard legal review.