From Scan-and-Pay to Scan-and-Complain: FSSAI Mandates QR Code at Restaurants and Eateries

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a new directive to strengthen food safety in India. The regulator has made it mandatory for all food business operators (FBOs)—including restaurants, cafés, dhabas, and eateries—to display their FSSAI licence or registration certificate along with a QR code at visible locations inside their premises.

QR Code for Food Safety Connect App

The QR code will directly link to the Food Safety Connect App, which empowers consumers to:

• Lodge complaints about food safety and hygiene issues
• Report misleading claims on food products
• Access basic information about licensed and registered FBOs
• Stay updated on FSSAI food safety initiatives and alerts

Once consumers submit complaints on the app, the system automatically routes them to the concerned jurisdictional authority for faster resolution.

Mandatory Display in Visible Areas

FSSAI has clarified that restaurants, food outlets, and eateries must display the licence and QR code prominently at locations such as the entrance, billing counters, or seating areas. By doing so, the regulator aims to empower customers with a transparent and user-friendly platform for grievance redressal and food safety checks.

Integration with Digital Platforms

FSSAI has also directed FBOs to incorporate the QR code on their digital platforms—including official websites, mobile apps, and food delivery platforms. This integration ensures that customers can easily verify food safety details and report violations even when ordering food online.

Nationwide Advisory to Food Businesses

The regulator has already included the QR code on the front page of every FSSAI licence and registration certificate. In its nationwide advisory, FSSAI instructed all food business operators to comply with this guideline immediately.

Recent Warning to E-commerce Platforms

This directive comes just days after FSSAI warned food e-commerce companies of strict action for non-compliance with food safety standards. The regulator ordered all online food delivery platforms to display their FSSAI licence or registration numbers clearly on every receipt, invoice, and cash memo issued to customers.

Why This Move Matters

By mandating QR codes at eateries and digital channels, FSSAI is taking a major step toward:

• Improving food safety standards in India
• Promoting transparency in the food industry
• Empowering consumers with digital tools for complaint redressal
• Ensuring accountability of food business operators

With this regulation, consumers now have the power not only to scan and pay but also to scan and complain, making the Indian food sector more transparent, safe, and reliable.