| | OCTOBER 202619descriptions, misleading claims, or prohibited products, the issue is not merely a technology error. It can have direct implications for consumer safety.The Datura controversy demonstrates this clearly. The product was reportedly presented through online platforms as a food product. Karnataka's decision to suspend the food licences of Amazon, Instamart, and BigBasket shows that regulators are increasingly examining what digital platforms enable consumers to purchase, not just what is physically stored inside their facilities.For leadership teams, this creates a new responsibility. Product information should be treated as a controlled business asset. Platforms need systems that can identify restricted categories, verify seller information, flag questionable listings, and remove problematic products quickly.The challenge becomes particularly complex when platforms host thousands of sellers and millions of products. Human monitoring alone cannot provide sufficient oversight at that scale.Digital commerce therefore requires food-safety governance that begins before a product reaches the customer. Supplier verification, product authentication, accurate descriptions, labelling checks, and controls over restricted categories need to become part of the digital operating model.The Hidden Quality Risks Behind Quick CommerceMythili G Nirvan, Managing Director, PrachaR Media Solutions & Co-founder, MyAnsi, says, "While buying groceries online offers convenience, ordering through storefronts exposes consumers to risks that go unnoticed. Pricing algorithms may adjust costs based on location, purchase history, and shopping habits, making price transparency difficult. Automated substitutions can create concerns when products do not meet allergy or dietary requirements. Purchase histories can provide platforms with insights into consumer lifestyles and spending patterns.""The shift limits the ability to inspect fresh produce. Fast-paced order picking can prioritise speed over ripeness and expiry dates. Online interfaces may encourage spending through pre-checked subscriptions and additions. Consumers must balance convenience with privacy, cost, and quality," Mythili adds.Quick commerce has transformed consumer expectations. Products that once required a planned grocery trip can now arrive at the doorstep within minutes. However, this speed creates operational pressure, particularly within dark stores where products are received, stored, picked, packed, and dispatched at high frequency.Efficiency cannot come at the expense of safety. Products must be stored appropriately, expiry dates monitored, packaging kept intact, and perishable goods maintained under suitable temperature conditions. Food and non-food products also require proper segregation, while storage areas must remain clean and protected from pests and contamination.The recent action against a Zepto warehouse in Hoskote highlights why these fundamentals remain important in technology-driven retail. The regulatory expectation remains the same whether food is sold through a traditional supermarket or a technology-enabled delivery platform.This presents a crucial leadership lesson: technology may change how food is sold, but it does not change the physical realities of food. Milk still requires appropriate storage, fresh produce needs hygienic handling, and packaged food has an expiry date.Quick commerce therefore requires leaders to establish clear boundaries around what cannot be compromised in pursuit of speed. Delivery performance can be measured in minutes, but food safety depends on compliance, traceability, hygiene, quality, and risk prevention.The two objectives do not have to conflict. Automated inventory systems can prevent products close to expiry from being dispatched. Barcode scanning can reduce manual errors. Digital records can identify where batches are stored, while automated alerts can flag products requiring immediate attention.The objective should be to design safety into the operating system rather than treat it as an inspection after the process is complete.Building Accountability Across the Digital Food Supply ChainOne of the biggest challenges in e-commerce food safety is determining who owns the problem.Scan the QR code to read the full Article
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