August 4, 2025:
In a major move to enhance food safety and transparency, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has mandated that all Food Business Operators (FBOs) across the country must display their FSSAI license or registration certificate along with a QR code linked to the ‘Food Safety Connect’ mobile application. The rule came into effect from August 1, 2025.
The mandate applies to a wide range of food establishments including restaurants, cafes, dhabas, cloud kitchens, street food vendors, and other eateries. According to FSSAI, the QR code must be prominently displayed and will allow consumers to scan and access the establishment’s food safety details, including license validity, registration status, and the option to lodge complaints directly via the app.
“This step will empower consumers by providing real-time access to food safety information and will ensure greater accountability among food business operators,” said a senior FSSAI official. The initiative is part of FSSAI’s broader digital push to modernize and regulate the food sector, especially the fast-growing cloud kitchen and online food delivery markets.
Officials noted that the QR code system will serve as a deterrent to unauthorized food operations, enabling customers to verify authenticity before consuming food from any outlet. FBOs that do not comply with the new norms may face penalties under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The move has received mixed reactions from the food industry. While large restaurant chains and online food aggregators have welcomed the regulation for promoting transparency and boosting customer trust, some small vendors and rural operators have expressed concerns about implementation challenges. In response, FSSAI has launched an outreach and support campaign to assist businesses in generating and displaying QR codes, with state food safety departments tasked with overseeing compliance.
This is not the first digital initiative by the food authority. FSSAI has been actively working toward improving food safety norms in recent years, especially amid rising consumer demand for hygiene and accountability in food services. The Food Safety Connect app, launched earlier this year, has already seen over a million downloads.
Experts believe the QR code mandate could be a game-changer in the Indian food ecosystem. “It is a strong step toward consumer empowerment and quality control. It also brings much-needed regulation to smaller players operating in the informal food sector,” said food safety expert Dr. Rina Mehta.
With over 2 crore food business operators registered in India, the success of this initiative will depend on swift implementation and public cooperation. As the regulation takes effect nationwide, both consumers and food vendors are expected to play a key role in shaping a safer and more transparent food service landscape.
