MUMBAI: E-commerce platforms are stepping up product inspections in dark stores and warehouses to ensure consumer safety amid a spate of food contamination cases.
Internal policies are being reviewed and some platforms are ready to remove sellers from their list in case of repeated violation of safety protocols. Quick commerce company Zepto is considering introducing a recall policy whereby if a customer on the platform finds any case of food contamination in products manufactured and sold by an FMCG brand, the company will recall all its products, people familiar with the matter told TOI.
“As a platform, we have no visibility into the manufacturing process of FMCG brands. Such food contamination incidents reflect negligence on the part of the brands' manufacturing side. The responsibility lies with them. We are trying our best to adhere to quality standards which are under our control,” the CEO of the online platform said on condition of anonymity. Zepto did not comment.
An executive at another online company said the platform has no control over quality once the items are sealed. “We have already adopted a policy to delist sellers if we find any gross negligence on their part. This is the toughest step we can take and we will do so if necessary,” the executive added.
Brands are also stepping up monitoring of their manufacturing processes. iD Fresh Food, for example, plans to introduce AI cameras in its manufacturing plants to enhance process inspection. “Food contamination usually happens at the factory level, but in some cases, it can also happen due to improper storage. We have quality inspectors who do due diligence, but the AI cameras will enhance the process,” said PC Musthafa, global CEO and co-founder of iD Fresh Food, which makes idli, dosa batter, parathas and chapatis.
Hershey's India has recently come under intense scrutiny after a customer claimed to have found dead rats in its chocolate syrup, but the company said all its products undergo multiple quality tests before reaching consumers. “We have investigated these reports and verified all our food safety and manufacturing processes. We take appropriate measures to ensure food safety and are confident that such claims of contamination are not possible,” the company said, adding that the customer has not responded despite multiple attempts to contact them, further suggesting that the claims are not “legitimate”.
Ice cream maker Baskin-Robbins said the brand has strict process controls in place with evaluations at various stages, from sourcing of raw materials to production and storage. “Deployment of technology at various stages of the production process, including fully automated machines, scanners and metal detectors, helps us identify and isolate problematic products and maintain rigor in our processes. As a brand trusted by our customers, it is our responsibility to keep vigilant,” said Mohit Khattar, CEO of Gravis Foods, the brand's master franchisee in India.
Adani Wilmar president and CEO Anshu Malik said all its factories are AIB (American Institute of Bakers) certified, a benchmark quality standard for any factory, and the company is well-equipped to address quality issues as it understands the Indian market.In light of recent incidents, food operators should review their GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) systems and processes to ensure compatibility with evolving delivery platforms,” said Deepak Jolly, president, Indian Food and Beverage Association (IFBA).
Internal policies are being reviewed and some platforms are ready to remove sellers from their list in case of repeated violation of safety protocols. Quick commerce company Zepto is considering introducing a recall policy whereby if a customer on the platform finds any case of food contamination in products manufactured and sold by an FMCG brand, the company will recall all its products, people familiar with the matter told TOI.
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“As a platform, we have no visibility into the manufacturing process of FMCG brands. Such food contamination incidents reflect negligence on the part of the brands' manufacturing side. The responsibility lies with them. We are trying our best to adhere to quality standards which are under our control,” the CEO of the online platform said on condition of anonymity. Zepto did not comment.
An executive at another online company said the platform has no control over quality once the items are sealed. “We have already adopted a policy to delist sellers if we find any gross negligence on their part. This is the toughest step we can take and we will do so if necessary,” the executive added.
Brands are also stepping up monitoring of their manufacturing processes. iD Fresh Food, for example, plans to introduce AI cameras in its manufacturing plants to enhance process inspection. “Food contamination usually happens at the factory level, but in some cases, it can also happen due to improper storage. We have quality inspectors who do due diligence, but the AI cameras will enhance the process,” said PC Musthafa, global CEO and co-founder of iD Fresh Food, which makes idli, dosa batter, parathas and chapatis.
Hershey's India has recently come under intense scrutiny after a customer claimed to have found dead rats in its chocolate syrup, but the company said all its products undergo multiple quality tests before reaching consumers. “We have investigated these reports and verified all our food safety and manufacturing processes. We take appropriate measures to ensure food safety and are confident that such claims of contamination are not possible,” the company said, adding that the customer has not responded despite multiple attempts to contact them, further suggesting that the claims are not “legitimate”.
Ice cream maker Baskin-Robbins said the brand has strict process controls in place with evaluations at various stages, from sourcing of raw materials to production and storage. “Deployment of technology at various stages of the production process, including fully automated machines, scanners and metal detectors, helps us identify and isolate problematic products and maintain rigor in our processes. As a brand trusted by our customers, it is our responsibility to keep vigilant,” said Mohit Khattar, CEO of Gravis Foods, the brand's master franchisee in India.
Adani Wilmar president and CEO Anshu Malik said all its factories are AIB (American Institute of Bakers) certified, a benchmark quality standard for any factory, and the company is well-equipped to address quality issues as it understands the Indian market.In light of recent incidents, food operators should review their GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) systems and processes to ensure compatibility with evolving delivery platforms,” said Deepak Jolly, president, Indian Food and Beverage Association (IFBA).
