From table to tribunal: Food lovers get instant grievance redressal tool

In Ludhiana, food is both a passion and an identity for many. And dining out is a cherished ritual. But alongside the joy of butter-laden paranthas and sizzling tandoori platters, Ludhianavis encounter unpleasant surprises too, in the form of stale ingredients, unhygienic kitchens or misleading food labels. Until now, reporting such issues meant navigating a maze of bureaucracy. Thankfully, that’s about to change.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched a nationwide initiative to empower consumers with instant grievance redressal. All food business operators (FBOs), including restaurants, dhabas, cafes and eateries, have been directed to prominently display their FSSAI license or registration certificate along with a QR code linked to the Food Safety Connect app. These must be placed in customer-visible areas such as entrances, billing counters, seating zones and even on digital platforms like websites and food delivery apps.

“I once found a piece of plastic in my food at a popular eatery. I wanted to report it, but tracking down the Health Department’s contact details was such a hassle that I eventually gave up,” said Ravinder Singh, a city resident, adding, “If this app had been available then, I would’ve registered the complaint on the spot.”

The Food Safety Connect app, developed by the FSSAI, offers a direct and user-friendly platform for lodging complaints related to food safety and hygiene. It also allows users to report misleading claims on food products, access basic information about licenced and registered FBOs and stay informed about the FSSAI’s latest food safety initiatives and alerts.

Complaints lodged through the app are automatically routed to the jurisdictional authority concerned, ensuring prompt action and minimising delays.

The FSSAI has made the QR code available on the front page of its licence and registration documents. FBOs have also been asked to feature the QR code or a direct download link for the app on their digital assets, including websites and online ordering platforms.

“This is a welcome move. It gives power back to the consumer and makes eateries more accountable,” said Simran Kaur from Sarabha Nagar, a regular café-goer.

The advisory aligns with Condition No. 1 of the FSS (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, and marks a significant step toward transparent, tech-enabled food safety governance.