# Quick-commerce platforms deliver expired goods, refund process frustrating 2026-08-19T12:36:54+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet A Mumbai resident ordered a gift set on Zepto for a friend in Pune, but the friend received an expired product in damaged packaging. When the customer tried to report the issue, there was no straightforward in-app option for expired products, she had to contact support via email and wait for a resolution. The platform initially said only replacement or return was possible, processing the refund only the next day. In a separate incident on social media, a customer reported receiving expired cheese from Swiggy Instamart, with the expiry date already two months past. The user said support dismissed the proof and offered no resolution, raising concerns about health risks and violation of the FSS Act. Consumer rights advocates argue that expired products are public health risks and demand clear expiry-date displays and simple grievance mechanisms. ## Indian Opinion Analysis Quick-commerce platforms operate under the Food Safety and Standards Act, which requires that all food products for sale display manufacturing and expiry dates. The absence of this information on listings makes it impossible for consumers to verify before purchase. Regulators such as FSSAI have been tightening norms on digital food sales, and cases like these could prompt stricter enforcement or penalties. For consumers, the key number to watch is how quickly the platform resolves complaints, a 24-hour turnaround for a refund, as in this case, may become the minimum standard expected by regulators. The next hearing on digital commerce consumer protection rules is expected in the coming months. ## Coverage - timesnownews.com Leads with drama of 'ordeal' and 'frustrated and helpless', uses emotional framing and multiple anecdotes to push a campaign narrative rather than reporting a single new event. This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Tags: FSSAI, Mumbai, Pune, Swiggy Instamart, Zepto Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/quick-commerce-platforms-deliver-expired-goods-refund-process-frustrating/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/quick-commerce-platforms-deliver-expired-goods-refund-process-frustrating/#story-in-brief How this brief was made: an AI model read the report linked above and wrote this summary and analysis, which were published automatically. Published briefs are sampled every hour by an automated quality check; the editor verifies its findings and approves corrections, and corrected briefs carry a dated correction line. We do no original reporting. Methodology: https://indianopinion.org/ai-use-policy/