Online delivery firms to carry hygiene rating of food biz operators

To help consumers make informed choice about outlets from where they order food online, the Punjab government has directed the online food delivery companies operating in the state to display the hygiene rating of all the food business operators registered with them.

These companies have been asked to ensure that food business operators associated with them obtain hygiene ratings from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) empanelled companies. There are about 23 empanelled companies which conduct audit and hygiene rating of FBOs.

According to FSSAI norms, each FBO will get a score based on self-assessment questionnaire for compliance with food hygiene and safety procedures. Physical inspection and validation will be done by food and drug administration, Punjab. A hygiene rating will be given in the range of 0 to 5 as per their level of compliance.

KS Pannu, mission director of Tandrust Punjab and commissioner FDA, held a round of meetings with the representatives of major online food order and supply companies like Zomato, Swiggy, Uber Eats and Food Panda.

FDA has issued a formal letter to the online food delivery companies directing them to get the hygiene rating of all the FBO's registered with them, and only those FBOs who have a rating of three or more should be allowed to supply food under the online food orders/delivery mechanism. The government has given these firms three months for compliance.

Punjab health minister Brahm Mohindra said no online food order will be delivered in the state without hygiene rating after 90 days.

Pannu said the date of rating/inspection is also to be mentioned on the page having details of the food-making unit on the company’s website/portal/App. Besides, the periodical inspection of their registered/affiliated FBOs is to be ensured so that they continue to follow hygiene standards in food preparation and service practices.

Source:-https://retail.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/food-entertainment/food-services/online-delivery-firms-to-carry-hygiene-rating-of-food-biz-operators/69590819