Parliamentary Committee Urges Stricter Online Food Labeling Regulations

A Parliamentary Standing Committee has raised concerns regarding the adequacy of food labeling on e-commerce platforms, urging the government to enhance regulations surrounding packaged food sold online. This recommendation is part of the committee's Fifteenth Report, titled 'Regulation of Packaged Commodities with Specific Reference to Sugar Content in Baby Products and Other Food Products,' which was presented in the Lok Sabha. The committee's central argument highlights the rapid shift of food retail to online platforms, which has outpaced the existing regulations designed to protect consumers. This issue aligns with the ongoing campaign by Times Now Digital, named 'E-Comms Hiding Health Info,' which has been documenting the lack of transparency in quick commerce applications that sell packaged goods without providing essential information about their contents.

The committee pointed out that the exponential growth of e-commerce has led to a significant increase in online sales of packaged food, complicating the verification of label accuracy and the truthfulness of claims made by sellers. To address these concerns, the panel has recommended that the Department of Consumer Affairs collaborate with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), State Food Safety Authorities, and the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA). Together, these organizations should establish a unified monitoring system capable of identifying mislabeled products and misleading claims in online listings, ensuring that appropriate actions are taken against violators. This initiative aims to protect consumers from the risks associated with purchasing food items without clear and accurate information.