Health consciousness has surged among people over the last decade, fueled by increased exposure to new concepts through technology and the availability of convenient lifestyle options. The demand for food delivery services and a diverse range of food choices across various price points has significantly boosted the food business market.
Cloud kitchens, a new type of food business that emerged in the past decade, have evolved further into home-based kitchens. They have garnered widespread promotion through social media and video-sharing platforms, showcasing the economic viability of running and marketing a food business.
However, the journey doesn’t end with the praise for cloud or home-based kitchens; rather, it begins with the concerns accompanying these concepts. Recent incidents, such as the well-known case of food poisoning in Bengaluru and the tragic death of a 10-year-old girl who consumed a cake ordered from a cloud kitchen in Punjab through Zomato on her Birthday, have once again raised questions about the health and hygiene standards upheld by these online kitchens.
FSSAI as a stakeholder
While food businesses are required to obtain an FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) license and other identification documents to operate, does holding an FSSAI license guarantee consumers that the licensee is maintaining food safety standards according to the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 in their kitchen?
For general understanding, FSSAI provides a Basic License to food businesses with an annual turnover of up to or below 12 lakh rupees per annum. The Basic License registration costs only 100 rupees and can be obtained based on general documents without on-site inspections.
One argument may be that with the influx of applicants for FSSAI licenses nationwide, it is practically impossible to inspect each kitchen thoroughly. Does this mean that due to administrative and executive failures, food safety and standards will be compromised?
However, FSSAI has introduced the Hygiene Rating Scheme to overcome this challenge and provide an additional layer of assurance. Under this scheme, FSSAI has listed aggregators from which businesses can choose an auditor for inspecting their kitchens. Upon inspection, a hygiene rating is issued, which can be displayed on online platforms to distinguish compliant kitchens from others.
This initiative by FSSAI offers a win-win situation for both food businesses and consumers.
Online Aggregators as a stakeholder:
The primary responsibility lies with online platforms that facilitate food businesses, such as cloud kitchens and home-based kitchens, in complying with all necessary food safety and standards requirements beyond merely obtaining a food license.
Way ahead?
These platforms, such as Zomato and Swiggy, should implement a dual-check mechanism to ensure that the food they deliver to customers is safe to consume. Ultimately, these online platforms bear the greatest responsibility, as customers often associate the food they receive with the platform rather than the individual kitchen. Therefore, ensuring food safety and standards is paramount for these platforms.
Rahul yadav
Corporate Law Student | Strategic Business Management and Development | Managing Business Development Consultancy and Ed. tech Startups |
-
Rahul yadav#molongui-disabled-link
-
Rahul yadav#molongui-disabled-link
-
Rahul yadav#molongui-disabled-link
-
Rahul yadav#molongui-disabled-link
