Punjab government ban on online food delivery without hygiene rating

The Government of Punjab implemented a significant public health regulation mandating that no online food delivery be permitted from restaurants or food business operators lacking an approved hygiene rating. This initiative, introduced through the Punjab Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Department of Health and Family Welfare, seeks to ensure that food consumed through online platforms meets prescribed safety and cleanliness standards.

Background and Context

With the rapid expansion of online food delivery services in India, the food sector underwent a major transformation, offering consumers unprecedented convenience. However, this rise in digital food delivery also created regulatory challenges concerning hygiene and food safety, as many online orders originated from outlets that had never been physically inspected or rated for hygiene compliance.
In response, the Punjab Government decided to make hygiene certification mandatory for all food business operators (FBOs) supplying food through online aggregators. The step formed part of the state’s “Tandarust Punjab Mission”, a holistic health campaign aimed at ensuring safe food, clean environments, and improved public well-being.

Objectives of the Policy

The main objectives of the government’s decision were:

• To ensure food safety and hygiene standards for all meals delivered through digital platforms.
• To bring transparency in the food business ecosystem by requiring public display of hygiene ratings.
• To encourage restaurants to maintain higher hygiene standards through a formal inspection and rating system.
• To protect consumers from foodborne illnesses caused by unsafe or poorly handled food.
• To integrate online food services with the same regulatory mechanisms applicable to physical food outlets.

Main Provisions of the Ban

Under the new order, the Punjab Government directed that:

• No online food order may be accepted or delivered in the state if the supplying restaurant or kitchen does not possess a valid hygiene rating.
• Food aggregators (such as online delivery platforms) are responsible for ensuring that all restaurants listed on their platforms are rated and compliant with hygiene norms.
• Only those food establishments with a minimum hygiene rating of three or above (on a five-point scale) are eligible to deliver food online.
• Restaurants must obtain their hygiene rating through authorised food-safety auditors approved by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
• Ratings must be clearly displayed on websites, apps, and food packaging, ensuring transparency for consumers.
• A three-month compliance period was initially granted to allow online platforms and restaurants to align with the new standards before strict enforcement began.

Implementation Mechanism

The enforcement of the directive rests primarily with the Punjab Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which monitors compliance under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The FDA is authorised to inspect restaurants, verify ratings, and take necessary action against non-compliant entities.
Online food delivery companies were instructed to collaborate closely with the government to verify the hygiene ratings of their partner restaurants and to delist or suspend those that failed to meet the required standard. The integration of hygiene data into digital platforms ensures that consumers can view the rating before placing an order.

Hygiene Rating System

The hygiene rating system is a scientific assessment tool developed under national food safety guidelines. It evaluates food businesses on several key parameters:

• Cleanliness of the kitchen and preparation areas.
• Safe storage and handling of food items.
• Quality of raw materials and ingredients.
• Staff hygiene and use of protective gear.
• Waste disposal and pest control measures.
• Proper refrigeration and temperature control for perishable foods.

Based on these factors, food outlets receive a rating from 1 to 5, represented by smiley symbols:

• 5 = Excellent
• 4 = Very Good
• 3 = Good
• 2 = Fair
• 1 = Poor

Only outlets rated “Good” (3) or above are permitted to participate in online food delivery under the Punjab regulation.

Expected Outcomes

The Punjab Government’s ban on online food delivery without hygiene rating aims to produce a wide range of public health and industry benefits:

• Safer food consumption: Consumers can trust that the food they order online is prepared under hygienic conditions.
• Higher industry standards: Restaurants and cloud kitchens are motivated to adopt better sanitation and safety practices.
• Improved accountability: Food aggregators bear shared responsibility for quality assurance in their supply chains.
• Enhanced consumer awareness: Visible hygiene ratings enable customers to make informed choices.
• Reduced foodborne diseases: The initiative directly contributes to lowering the incidence of illnesses caused by contaminated food.

Challenges in Implementation

While the policy was well received as a progressive measure, certain challenges accompanied its enforcement:

• Large number of unregistered outlets: Many small and informal food businesses lacked prior registration, making it difficult to bring them into the hygiene-rating framework immediately.
• Operational coordination: Continuous coordination between the Food Department, local authorities, and online platforms was required for real-time compliance monitoring.
• Technical readiness: Some delivery platforms needed additional time to integrate hygiene rating displays within their digital systems.
• Awareness among small vendors: Street-food sellers and local kitchens required orientation and training to meet the required hygiene benchmarks.

To address these challenges, the government undertook awareness campaigns, workshops, and training sessions for food business operators to help them meet hygiene standards and obtain certification efficiently.

Enforcement and Monitoring

After the compliance deadline, strict enforcement measures were initiated:

• Non-compliant restaurants were barred from online delivery listings until they secured valid ratings.
• Surprise inspections were conducted by food safety officers to verify adherence.
• Online delivery companies were directed to submit periodic compliance reports to the Punjab FDA.
• Penalties and suspensions were imposed on entities violating the rules or providing false information regarding their hygiene status.

Integration with “Tandarust Punjab”

The policy forms an integral part of the Tandarust Punjab Mission, a comprehensive programme launched by the state to improve environmental and public health standards. Alongside initiatives related to air and water quality, waste management, and nutrition, this food safety regulation reinforces the mission’s emphasis on safe and healthy living for all citizens.

Broader Significance

Punjab’s decision to enforce hygiene ratings for online food deliveries was among the first of its kind in India. It signalled a proactive approach to regulating the rapidly evolving digital food market while safeguarding public health.