Distributor body urges crackdown on expired FMCG goods, flags public health risk

The All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation has urged authorities to act against the mishandling of expired and damaged food products, warning of a potential public health risk.

In a communication to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Parle Products, the federation said large quantities of expired goods remain at distributor points without being collected, replaced, or safely disposed of.

The body said repeated follow-ups have failed to resolve the issue, leading to a build-up of unsafe inventory across the FMCG supply chain.

Concerns have intensified after a case in Kerala, where expired and damaged stock worth nearly Rs 5 crore is reportedly lying unattended at distributor facilities.

AICPDF warned that such accumulation increases the risk of these goods being diverted back into the market, either deliberately or inadvertently, posing a direct threat to consumer safety.

National President Dhairyashil Patil said failure to promptly remove and destroy unsafe products could lead to serious health hazards.

The federation also flagged a lack of accountability among major FMCG companies, citing delays in handling expired inventory as a gap in compliance with food safety norms.

It has called for immediate measures, including scientific disposal of expired products, timely compensation or replacement for distributors, and stricter penalties for violations, along with a standard operating procedure to ensure uniform handling and destruction of such goods.

The body warned that continued inaction could erode consumer trust and escalate into a wider public health crisis.