NEW DELHI, Aug 18: The All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation (AICPDF) has called for uniform food safety standards for dark stores operated by quick-commerce companies across India.
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The demand comes as quick-commerce platforms expand rapidly and increasingly handle groceries, packaged foods, fresh produce and other food products through small, neighbourhood-based warehouses.
The distributors’ body said dark stores should follow clear and consistent rules for storage, hygiene, pest control, temperature management and handling of food products.
The organisation has also called for standards that take into account the size of a facility and the volume of products stored there. The aim is to ensure that food items are kept safely from the time they arrive at a dark store until they are delivered to consumers.
The call for common standards follows growing attention to food safety practices at quick-commerce facilities. Distributors said consistent rules would help companies maintain better hygiene and give consumers greater confidence in online grocery deliveries.
As quick-commerce becomes an increasingly important part of India’s retail sector, the industry is expected to work more closely with regulators to strengthen food safety and storage practices across the rapidly expanding network of dark stores.