The government has announced the enforcement of mandatory display of Best Before Dates for food products sold on e-commerce and quick commerce platforms. This decision follows a survey conducted by LocalCircles, which revealed that nearly half of online grocery shoppers have difficulty locating this critical information. The findings were presented on June 18, 2026, to both the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Legal Metrology Department.

According to the survey, 48 per cent of respondents reported being unable to find the Best Before Date on most platforms. This statistic indicates a significant gap in consumer awareness and accessibility to essential product information, despite a gradual improvement from the previous year, where the figure was 57 per cent in 2024.

The LocalCircles survey received responses from 17,133 individuals, raising concerns about the clarity of product information online. Only 13 per cent stated that the date was displayed on all platforms, while another 13 per cent noted it was found on most. Conversely, 35 per cent reported that they were unable to locate the date on any website or application.

Regulatory Requirements for E-Commerce Platforms

The Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Amendment Rules, 2017, stipulate that all packaged food sold online must clearly indicate the Best Before or Use By date, inclusive of day, month, and year. This requirement aims to ensure that consumers can assess the remaining shelf life of products before making a purchase, akin to checking items in a physical store.

Furthermore, the FSSAI’s Food Safety and Standards Amendment Regulation 2020 mandates that e-commerce and quick commerce services must deliver food items with at least 30 per cent of their shelf life remaining or one that is at least 45 days away from expiry. In light of increasing concerns, the FSSAI issued warnings to certain platforms regarding the sale of items nearing expiration dates; however, explicit guidance to display Best Before Dates was previously absent.

During a review conducted by LocalCircles, five out of eight major online grocery platforms were found non-compliant concerning Best Before Date displays. Platforms such as Amazon Now, BigBasket, and Flipkart Minutes were noted for their adherence to the guidelines. However, other platforms either showed only the shelf life without specifying expiration dates, which LocalCircles deemed insufficient for consumer accountability.

Future Actions by Consumer Advocacy Group

In response to the findings, LocalCircles plans to share the survey results with the FSSAI, the Legal Metrology Department, and the Central Consumer Protection Authority. The organisation has committed to undertake follow-up assessments to monitor compliance across these platforms moving forward.

The survey engaged individuals across 164 districts in India, consisting of 61 per cent men and 39 per cent women respondents. The initiative reflects a growing concern among consumers regarding transparency in the online grocery shopping experience, particularly in relation to food safety standards.

With the government’s enforcement actions set to begin, officials aim to ensure a significant enhancement in the clarity of food product information, thereby improving consumer rights and safety in the digital marketplace.

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