# FSSAI penal action against Amazon, Zepto, Flipkart, BigBasket, Swiggy Instamart

2026-09-23T17:07:11+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 3 independent outlets

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has initiated penal proceedings against five major e-commerce platforms: Amazon, Flipkart India, Swiggy Instamart, Zepto, and BigBasket. The action covers violations including misleading claims and the sale of restricted products, as reported by multiple outlets. The FSSAI flagged the product 'Happilo Premium Date Bites - Zesty Orange' across all five platforms for misbranding. Swiggy Instamart and BigBasket were also cited for misleading claims on Milky Mist dairy products. Separately, Amazon, Swiggy Instamart, and BigBasket were found selling 'Datura (Dhatura) fruits/seeds', a prohibited item under the FSS Act, 2006. Emailed queries to the companies received no immediate reply. The regulator has stepped up enforcement against food business operators over the past six months and is using social media to inform consumers.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

All three sources report the FSSAI action as straight news, attributing details to the regulator's social media post and PTI. There is no variation in stance: each outlet neutrally lists the platforms, the products flagged, and the lack of immediate response from companies. The uniform coverage reflects the regulator's own framing of a crackdown. The next step is how the platforms respond legally and whether the action leads to changes in their product listings or consumer disclosures.

## Coverage

- ndtvprofit.com (neutral report) <https://www.ndtvprofit.com/business/amazon-instamart-bigbasket-flipkart-zepto-face-penal-action-over-happilo-dates-dhatura-sales-12087703#publisher=newsstand>
  Leads with penal action and lists platforms, no commentary.
- livemint.com (neutral report) <https://www.livemint.com/news/india/amazon-zepto-3-other-platforms-face-fssai-action-over-misleading-food-claims-violation-which-products-did-it-fla-11790176482339.html>
  Reports FSSAI action and includes Nestle India response, straight news.
- siasat.com (neutral report) <https://www.siasat.com/fssai-cracks-down-on-amazon-swiggy-bigbasket-zepto-flipkart-3547178/>
  Summarises FSSAI post and PTI report, no slant.

Tags: Amazon, BigBasket, Flipkart, FSSAI, Swiggy Instamart, Zepto
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