1: FSSAI's Instructions to E-commerce FBOs

- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recently directed e-commerce food business operators (FBOs) to accurately label the food products on their platforms.

- FSSAI highlighted that certain licensed "proprietary foods," such as dairy-based, cereal-based, and malt-based beverage mixes were being incorrectly marketed and sold as health or energy drinks on e-commerce platforms.

- These food products are regarded as proprietary food if they don't have set standards in the FSSAI regulations.

- FSSAI asserted that the term "Health Drink" is not yet standardised or defined under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

- The organisation has thus advised FBOs to rectify such misclassification by placing such products in the appropriate category as per the legal requirements.

- FSSAI further announced that the label ‘energy drinks’ should only be used for products specifically licensed under that food category system.

2: Understanding the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India

- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is an autonomous statutory body created under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

- The 2006 Act consolidates various previous laws related to food, such as the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, the Fruit Products Order, 1955, the Meat Food Products Order, 1973, which were separately governed by different departments and ministries.

- The Act aims to create a single point of reference for all matters relating to food safety and standards, transitioning from multi-level, multi-departmental control to a unified line of command.

- FSSAI, operating under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, is entrusted with the task of protecting and promoting public health by regulating and supervising food safety and quality throughout India. 

- FSSAI's headquarters are located in New Delhi and it has regional offices in eight zones across the country.

- The Chairperson and the Chief Executive Officer of FSSAI are appointed by the central government. The position of the Chairperson is equivalent to the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.