📌 Summary :
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Over 21,000 consumer complaints filed against food delivery platforms in the last five fiscal years.
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FSSAI received 7,482 complaints in FY 2024–25 alone — the highest ever.
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Regular inspections, sampling, and monitoring carried out by FSSAI to ensure food safety.
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Complaints have steadily increased every year since FY 2020–21.
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Industry bodies like AICPDF and NRAI have also raised concerns over unfair practices and quick commerce apps.
📦 FSSAI Logs 21K Complaints Against Food Delivery Platforms Over Five Years
In a concerning revelation, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has received more than 21,000 complaints from consumers against various online food delivery apps over the last five fiscal years, the government confirmed in Parliament this week.
The data was shared in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha by Minister of State for Food and Consumer Affairs BL Verma, citing an ongoing effort to maintain hygiene and food quality standards across digital food commerce platforms.
📈 Sharp Spike in Complaints in FY 2024–25
According to official data:
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FY 2024–25 saw 7,482 complaints, the highest in five years.
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This was followed by 4,708 in 2023–24,
4,321 in 2022–23,
3,726 in 2021–22,
and 805 in 2020–21.
This upward trend highlights growing consumer dissatisfaction and possibly an increase in awareness of food safety issues.
🕵️♂️ FSSAI’s Response: Inspections and Food Sampling
Minister Verma said the FSSAI regularly undertakes:
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Surprise inspections
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Monitoring of food businesses online
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Random sampling of food items sold on e-commerce platforms, including:
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Restaurants
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Hotels
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Sellers and Manufacturers
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These measures aim to detect violations and maintain quality standards across digital food marketplaces.
🚨 Broader Industry Concerns: Anti-Competitive Practices & Fast Delivery
The rise in consumer complaints isn’t isolated. Several industry groups have also raised alarms:
👥 AICPDF vs Quick Commerce Apps
The All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation (AICPDF) filed a complaint with the Competition Commission of India (CCI) last month, accusing platforms like:
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Blinkit
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Zepto
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Swiggy Instamart
of unfair pricing, private labelling, and market monopolisation in the quick commerce space.
🍽️ NRAI’s Protest Against 10-Minute Delivery Apps
In January, the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) approached the CCI against the launch of ultra-fast food delivery apps like:
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Bistro
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Snacc
The NRAI claimed that such services were disrupting traditional restaurants and violating fair market practices by entering the private label segment and selling direct-to-consumer via new brands.
🧐 Final Takeaway
As the food delivery ecosystem in India expands rapidly, both consumer trust and industry regulation are being tested. The rising number of FSSAI complaints, coupled with legal challenges from trade bodies, point to a growing need for stronger regulation, transparent practices, and stringent food quality checks in the booming online food economy.