Bengaluru, June 08, 2026: On World Food Safety Day, quick commerce platform Zepto announced a set of initiatives aimed at strengthening food safety standards, enhancing compliance, and promoting innovation across the food ecosystem.
The company has partnered with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to launch a national Startup Challenge focused on food safety innovation. Zepto has also entered into a partnership with the Food Industry Capacity & Skill Initiative (FICSI) to train its internal audit and quality assurance teams.
According to the company, the initiatives are intended to strengthen food safety practices, improve regulatory compliance, and support continuous improvement across its operations.
Under the Startup Challenge, innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups will be invited to develop technology-driven solutions that can improve food safety across the food value chain. The challenge will focus on artificial intelligence, automation-led food quality monitoring systems, and other innovations that can help enhance food safety outcomes at scale.
The initiative is expected to provide startups with a platform to showcase solutions addressing challenges related to food quality, monitoring, and compliance while contributing to a safer food ecosystem.
In addition, Zepto’s partnership with FICSI will focus on strengthening the capabilities of its internal audit and quality assurance workforce. The training programme is designed to equip participants with technical knowledge, auditing skills, and regulatory awareness required to manage food safety across Zepto’s fulfilment network, including Mother Hubs and Delivery Hubs.
Vikas Sharma, Chief Operating Officer, Zepto, said: “Food safety is a shared responsibility that requires collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. Through Zepto Sankalp, we have been investing in awareness, training, and stronger food safety practices across the ecosystem. Building on this effort, our partnerships with DPIIT and FICSI represent the next step in Zepto's commitment to advancing food safety standards.”
Sunil Marwah, Chief Executive Officer, FICSI, added: “Independent assessments and continuous improvement are critical elements of a strong food safety culture. Through this partnership, we look forward to supporting Zepto in strengthening operational practices and driving higher standards of compliance across its network.”
The new initiatives build on Zepto Sankalp, the company’s existing food safety programme focused on training food handlers and operational teams. Zepto said it will continue to promote food safety across sourcing, storage, handling, and delivery processes while supporting a transparent and accountable food ecosystem.
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