Cyberabad civic body directs Swiggy, Zomato to delist unlicensed food outlets, seeks details on customer review policy
The Cyberabad Municipal Corporation (CMC) has issued a set of compliance directions to online food delivery platforms Swiggy and Zomato, mandating stricter verification of food
The Cyberabad Municipal Corporation (CMC) has issued a set of compliance directions to online food delivery platforms Swiggy and Zomato, mandating stricter verification of food establishments listed on their platforms to strengthen food safety, public health and consumer protection within the civic body’s jurisdiction. In a notice issued by CMC’s Health and Sanitation section on Tuesday (July 14, 2026), the civic body directed both platforms to ensure that only Food Business Operators (FBOs) holding a valid Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licence or registration and a valid trade licence issued by the CMC are allowed to operate through their platforms.
The corporation, which conducting regular food safety inspections since June, instructed the companies to immediately suspend or remove any food establishment, from their platforms, whose licence has expired, been suspended or cancelled, or has been ordered to be delisted by the CMC or any other competent authority. CMC asks for methodology used for food ratings The CMC has also asked Swiggy and Zomato to submit the criteria and methodology used for assigning food ratings, hygiene ratings and customer reviews for regulatory scrutiny. The notice further directs the platforms to appoint a nodal officer and establish an official communication channel with the corporation to facilitate timely sharing of information, compliance reports, inspection details and grievance redressal.
Details on ’negative’ customer reviews It sought details on the platforms’ policy regarding the removal, modification or suppression of ‘negative’ customer reviews, stating that transparency in handling consumer feedback must be ensured. Ensure food preparation only at registered premises Swiggy and Zomato were directed to verify and maintain the accurate geo-location of every listed food establishment and ensure that food is prepared and dispatched only from approved and registered premises. They must also periodically verify the validity of trade licences issued by the CMC for every food establishment operating on their platforms. Both the companies were asked to submit a compliance report on all the prescribed measures, along with the name and contact details of their designated nodal officer, within one week of receiving the notice.
Failure to comply with the directions would attract penal action under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, the Food Safety and Standards Regulations, the applicable provisions of the GHMC Act, 1955, and other relevant municipal laws, the CMC said.
The BriefWire