1. Preamble
This Vendor Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into between FreshMeat4U.com, a meat delivery platform operating in Vadodara, Gujarat, India ("Platform", "we", "us", or "our"), and the individual or business entity that has registered as a vendor on the Platform ("Vendor", "you", or "your"). This Agreement sets forth the terms and conditions under which you may list, sell, and fulfill orders for fresh meat, poultry, seafood, and egg products through the FreshMeat4U platform to customers located within Vadodara and surrounding areas.
By registering as a Vendor on the Platform and accepting this Agreement, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by all the terms and conditions contained herein. If you do not agree with any part of this Agreement, you must not register as a Vendor or continue to use the Platform's vendor services. This Agreement is supplementary to and must be read in conjunction with the Platform's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
2. Definitions
- "Platform" refers to the FreshMeat4U website, mobile application, backend systems, and all associated services through which Vendors list products and receive orders from Customers.
- "Vendor" means the meat shop, butcher, poultry vendor, seafood seller, or egg supplier registered on the Platform and bound by this Agreement.
- "Customer" refers to any individual who places an order for Products listed by the Vendor through the Platform.
- "Products" means all meat, poultry, seafood, egg items, and any related products listed by the Vendor on the Platform for sale and delivery.
- "Order" means a purchase request placed by a Customer through the Platform for Products listed by the Vendor.
- "Commission" means the fee charged by the Platform to the Vendor for each successful order fulfilled through the Platform, as described in Section 5.
- "FSSAI" means the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, the regulatory body governing food safety and licensing in India.
- "Cold Chain" means the temperature-controlled supply chain process required for the storage, handling, and transport of perishable meat and seafood products from the Vendor to the Customer.
- "Halal Certification" means a certification confirming that the slaughter and processing of meat products comply with Islamic dietary laws as recognized by the applicable certifying authority.
3. Vendor Obligations
3.1 Registration and Compliance
You must provide accurate, complete, and up-to-date information during the Vendor registration process, including but not limited to your business name, address, contact details, FSSAI license number, GST registration number, and bank account information. You must maintain a valid FSSAI license at all times while operating as a Vendor on the Platform. Any changes to your registration details must be communicated to the Platform within seven (7) working days. Failure to maintain valid licenses or provide accurate information may result in immediate suspension or termination of your Vendor account.
3.2 Operational Readiness
You must ensure that your shop or establishment is fully operational during the business hours declared during registration. You must have adequate staff, equipment, and inventory to fulfill orders received through the Platform in a timely manner. You are responsible for maintaining proper refrigeration and storage facilities at your premises to ensure product freshness and safety at all times. The Platform expects all Vendors to process and prepare orders within a reasonable timeframe so that delivery timelines communicated to Customers can be honored.
3.3 Accurate Product Listings
You are solely responsible for the accuracy of all product information you list on the Platform, including product names, descriptions, prices, weights, availability, and any certification claims such as Halal certification. All product images must accurately represent the actual products sold. Misleading, false, or deceptive product listings are strictly prohibited and will be treated as a material breach of this Agreement. The Platform reserves the right to remove or modify any listing that is found to be inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of applicable laws.
3.4 Order Acceptance and Fulfillment
Upon receiving an order through the Platform, you must review and accept or decline the order within the time frame specified by the Platform. Once an order is accepted, you are obligated to prepare and package the Products in accordance with the order specifications and have them ready for pickup by the delivery rider at the agreed-upon time. Repeated failure to accept orders, late preparation, or order cancellations after acceptance will be considered a breach of this Agreement and may result in penalties, reduced visibility on the Platform, or termination of the Vendor account.
4. Quality Standards
4.1 Product Quality and Freshness
All Products sold through the Platform must be fresh, fit for human consumption, and of a quality that meets or exceeds the expectations of Customers. You must not sell stale, expired, spoiled, adulterated, or otherwise unfit Products through the Platform. All meat and poultry products must be freshly cut or prepared on the same day of delivery wherever possible. Frozen products must be properly thawed and handled in accordance with food safety best practices. The Platform conducts periodic quality checks and customer feedback reviews, and Vendors consistently receiving quality complaints may face corrective action or removal from the Platform.
4.2 FSSAI Compliance
You must comply with all applicable food safety laws, regulations, and standards set forth by the FSSAI and any other regulatory authority having jurisdiction. This includes maintaining hygienic conditions at your premises, ensuring proper waste disposal, using clean equipment and utensils, and adhering to all labeling requirements. Your FSSAI license must be prominently displayed at your physical establishment and a copy must be provided to the Platform upon registration. You must promptly renew your FSSAI license before its expiry and provide the updated license to the Platform. Any enforcement action, notice, or penalty from the FSSAI or any other food safety authority must be immediately reported to the Platform.
4.3 Halal Certification
If you list any Products as "Halal" on the Platform, you must possess a valid Halal certification from a recognized and accredited Halal certifying body. The Halal certification must cover the specific products for which the claim is made, and you must be able to produce the certification documentation upon request by the Platform or by Customers. Any Vendor found to be falsely claiming Halal certification will face immediate termination of this Agreement, and the Platform reserves the right to take legal action for misrepresentation and consumer fraud.
4.4 Weights and Measures
All Products delivered through the Platform must conform to the weights and measurements as described in the product listing. You must use calibrated and certified weighing scales at your establishment. Short-weighing or delivering Products that are significantly below the listed weight is a serious violation of this Agreement and applicable consumer protection laws. Customers have the right to report weight discrepancies, and verified complaints will result in mandatory refunds to the Customer and potential penalties for the Vendor as outlined in the Platform's Complaint Resolution process.
5. Pricing and Commission
5.1 Product Pricing
You are responsible for setting the prices of your Products listed on the Platform. All prices must be listed in Indian Rupees (INR) and must be inclusive of applicable taxes unless explicitly stated otherwise. You must ensure that the prices listed on the Platform are consistent with the prices at your physical establishment. The Platform reserves the right to request justification for pricing that is significantly higher or lower than comparable products listed by other Vendors on the Platform. Engaging in predatory pricing, price gouging, or deceptive pricing practices is strictly prohibited.
5.2 Commission Structure
The Platform charges a commission on each successful order fulfilled through the Platform. The specific commission rate applicable to your Vendor account will be communicated to you at the time of onboarding and may be revised from time to time with prior written notice. The commission is calculated as a percentage of the order subtotal (excluding delivery charges and taxes collected from the Customer) and is deducted from the payment due to you before settlement. The current commission structure and any changes thereto will be communicated through the Vendor dashboard or via email.
5.3 Platform Fees and Charges
In addition to the commission, the Platform may levy certain fees for promotional services, enhanced visibility on the Platform, or other value-added services. These fees will be clearly communicated before they are charged, and you will have the option to opt in or opt out of such services. Any disputes regarding commission deductions or fee charges must be raised within fifteen (15) days of the relevant settlement cycle, after which the settlement shall be considered accepted.
6. Order Management
6.1 Order Receipt and Processing
Orders placed by Customers through the Platform will be routed to your Vendor dashboard or mobile application in real time. You must monitor your order queue during your declared business hours and respond to new orders within the time frame specified by the Platform, which is typically ten (10) minutes. Upon accepting an order, you must begin preparation immediately and ensure the Products are packed and ready for pickup by the delivery rider within the preparation time communicated to the Customer.
6.2 Order Rejection and Cancellation
While you may reject an order if you are unable to fulfill it due to product unavailability, operational constraints, or other genuine reasons, excessive order rejections or cancellations will adversely affect your Vendor rating and visibility on the Platform. The Platform monitors rejection and cancellation rates, and Vendors exceeding the acceptable thresholds will be notified and required to take corrective measures. Repeated violations may result in temporary suspension or permanent removal from the Platform. If you must reject an order, you should provide a clear reason through the Vendor interface so that the Customer can be informed promptly.
6.3 Packaging Requirements
All Products must be packaged securely and hygienically to prevent contamination, leakage, and temperature loss during transit. You must use food-grade packaging materials that are clean, safe, and compliant with FSSAI packaging regulations. Each order must be clearly labeled with the order number, product description, weight, date of packaging, and any relevant handling instructions. For meat and seafood products, vacuum-sealed or leak-proof packaging is strongly recommended. The Platform may provide or recommend standardized packaging materials, and the cost of such materials may be borne by the Vendor or shared as agreed upon during onboarding.
6.4 Returns and Replacements
In the event that a Customer raises a quality complaint or reports an issue with the Products received, the Vendor must cooperate with the Platform's Complaint Resolution process. Depending on the nature of the complaint, the Platform may require the Vendor to provide a replacement, issue a refund, or offer a credit note to the affected Customer. The Platform's decision on quality-related disputes shall be final and binding. Vendors with a high rate of quality complaints may be required to undergo additional quality audits or training as mandated by the Platform.
7. Payment Terms
7.1 Settlement Cycle
Payments for orders successfully delivered through the Platform will be settled to your registered bank account on a periodic basis as communicated during onboarding. The standard settlement cycle is typically weekly or bi-weekly, depending on your Vendor tier and agreement. Each settlement will include the order subtotals less the applicable commission, platform fees, and any deductions for customer refunds, replacements, or penalties. A detailed settlement report will be made available through the Vendor dashboard for each settlement cycle.
7.2 Payment Method and Verification
All payments will be made via direct bank transfer to the bank account registered with the Platform during the onboarding process. You must ensure that the bank account details provided are accurate and active. If you need to change your bank account details, you must submit a written request along with the necessary documentation, and the change will be effective only after verification by the Platform, which may take up to five (5) business days. The Platform shall not be liable for any delays or losses arising from incorrect bank account information provided by the Vendor.
7.3 Withholding and Deductions
The Platform reserves the right to withhold or deduct payments in the following circumstances: customer refunds or replacements due to quality issues, penalties for order rejections or cancellations beyond acceptable thresholds, chargebacks from payment processors, amounts owed to the Platform for fees or services, and any amounts required to be withheld under applicable tax laws. In the event of a dispute regarding any deduction, you may raise a claim through the Vendor dashboard within fifteen (15) days of the settlement, and the Platform will investigate and respond within ten (10) business days.
7.4 Tax Compliance
You are solely responsible for all applicable taxes, including Goods and Services Tax (GST), income tax, and any other levies on the income earned through the Platform. The Platform will provide you with a consolidated tax invoice or summary for each settlement period to assist you in your tax filings. You must ensure that your GST registration is valid and up to date, and that you issue appropriate tax invoices as required under the GST Act. The Platform may, at its discretion, withhold Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) as required under applicable Indian tax laws.
8. Hygiene and Safety
8.1 Premises Hygiene
You must maintain your shop or establishment in a clean and hygienic condition at all times. This includes regular cleaning and sanitization of all surfaces, equipment, cutting boards, knives, and other utensils used in the preparation and handling of meat, poultry, and seafood products. Separate equipment and preparation areas must be maintained for different types of meat to prevent cross-contamination. Waste, including animal by-products and packaging waste, must be disposed of in a timely and sanitary manner in compliance with local municipal regulations. Handwashing facilities with soap and clean running water must be readily accessible to all staff handling food products.
8.2 Personal Hygiene
All staff members involved in the handling, preparation, and packaging of Products must maintain a high standard of personal hygiene. This includes wearing clean aprons, hairnets or caps, gloves where appropriate, and enclosed footwear. Staff members must wash their hands thoroughly before handling food and after handling raw meat, using the restroom, or touching any potentially contaminated surfaces. Staff members suffering from any communicable disease, open wounds, or gastrointestinal illness must not be permitted to handle food products until fully recovered and medically cleared.
8.3 Cold Chain Compliance
Proper cold chain management is critical for the safety and quality of perishable meat and seafood products. You must maintain all Products at the appropriate temperature at all times: raw meat and poultry at or below 4°C, frozen products at or below -18°C, and seafood on ice or at refrigerated temperatures as appropriate. You must use calibrated thermometers to monitor storage temperatures and maintain temperature logs that may be inspected by the Platform or regulatory authorities. Products must be handed over to the delivery rider in insulated packaging with adequate ice packs or gel packs to maintain the cold chain during transit. Failure to maintain proper cold chain temperatures may result in order rejection, customer complaints, and disciplinary action by the Platform.
8.4 Pest Control and Sanitation
You must implement and maintain an effective pest control program at your premises to prevent infestation by insects, rodents, and other pests. Regular pest control treatments must be carried out by a licensed pest control service provider, and records of such treatments must be maintained and made available upon request. The premises must be equipped with adequate drainage, ventilation, and lighting to prevent conditions that could attract pests or promote bacterial growth. Any evidence of pest infestation that could compromise food safety must be immediately reported to the Platform and addressed on an emergency basis.
9. Intellectual Property
All content on the Platform, including but not limited to the FreshMeat4U name, logo, trademarks, service marks, website design, software, user interface, and proprietary technology, is the exclusive property of FreshMeat4U.com or its licensors and is protected by applicable Indian and international intellectual property laws. You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use the Platform solely for the purpose of listing Products and fulfilling orders as a registered Vendor. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, create derivative works from, or commercially exploit any part of the Platform without the prior written consent of FreshMeat4U.com.
By listing Products on the Platform, you grant FreshMeat4U.com a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, display, reproduce, and distribute any product descriptions, images, and other content you provide for the purpose of operating and promoting the Platform. You represent and warrant that you have the right to grant this license and that such content does not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of any third party. You must not use any trademarks, logos, or brand names on the Platform without proper authorization from the respective trademark owners.
10. Term and Termination
10.1 Term of Agreement
This Agreement shall come into effect upon your acceptance and successful registration as a Vendor on the Platform and shall remain in force for an initial period of twelve (12) months, unless terminated earlier by either party in accordance with the provisions of this section. Thereafter, the Agreement shall automatically renew for successive periods of twelve (12) months each unless either party provides written notice of non-renewal at least thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the then-current term.
10.2 Termination by Vendor
You may terminate this Agreement at any time by providing thirty (30) days' written notice to the Platform. Upon termination, you must fulfill all pending orders accepted prior to the notice of termination. The Platform will settle all outstanding payments due to you within the standard settlement cycle following the completion of all pending orders and any applicable deductions. You must remove all your product listings from the Platform upon termination or upon request by the Platform.
10.3 Termination by Platform
The Platform may terminate this Agreement immediately and without prior notice in the following circumstances: if you breach any material term of this Agreement and fail to cure such breach within the cure period specified by the Platform (if any); if your FSSAI license is revoked, suspended, or expires without renewal; if you engage in fraudulent, illegal, or unethical practices; if you receive a significant number of customer complaints regarding product quality or safety; if you are declared insolvent or enter into any arrangement with creditors; or if you violate any applicable food safety, consumer protection, or other laws. The Platform may also terminate this Agreement with thirty (30) days' written notice for convenience, with or without cause.
10.4 Effect of Termination
Upon termination of this Agreement, your access to the Vendor dashboard and all Platform services will be revoked. Sections 9 (Intellectual Property), 11 (Indemnification), 12 (Governing Law), and any other provisions that by their nature should survive termination shall continue in full force and effect. All outstanding payment obligations and liabilities accrued prior to the effective date of termination shall survive and remain enforceable.
11. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless FreshMeat4U.com, its officers, directors, employees, agents, affiliates, delivery partners, and suppliers from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, suits, proceedings, losses, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees) arising out of or relating to: any breach of this Agreement by you; any violation of applicable laws, regulations, or standards by you or your staff; any claim that the Products sold by you through the Platform caused illness, injury, or any adverse health effect; any claim of intellectual property infringement arising from content you provide to the Platform; any misrepresentation, fraud, or negligent act committed by you or your staff in connection with the Platform; and any customer dispute, complaint, or legal action arising from the Products sold or services rendered by you.
This indemnification obligation shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement. The Platform will provide you with prompt notice of any claim for which indemnification is sought and will reasonably cooperate with you in the defense of such claim, provided that you shall have sole control over the defense and settlement of any such claim, and you shall not enter into any settlement that admits fault on behalf of the Platform or imposes any obligation on the Platform without its prior written consent.
12. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
12.1 Governing Law
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of India, without regard to its conflict of law principles. All matters arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Vadodara, Gujarat, India. You irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of these courts and waive any objection to the venue or inconvenience of such forum.
12.2 Dispute Resolution
In the event of any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the parties shall first attempt to resolve the matter through the Platform's internal Complaint Resolution process. You agree to raise any grievance through the Vendor dashboard or by contacting the Platform support team, and the Platform agrees to acknowledge and respond to such grievances within ten (10) business days. If the dispute cannot be resolved through the internal process within thirty (30) days, either party may initiate legal proceedings in the courts of Vadodara, Gujarat. Pending the resolution of any dispute, you shall continue to perform your obligations under this Agreement unless otherwise agreed in writing.
12.3 Amendments and Waiver
The Platform may amend this Agreement from time to time by posting the revised Agreement on the Platform. Material changes will be communicated to you via email or through the Vendor dashboard at least fifteen (15) days before the effective date of the change. Your continued use of the Platform after the effective date of any amendment constitutes your acceptance of the revised Agreement. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by the waiving party. The failure of either party to enforce any right or provision of this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.
13. Contact Information
For any questions, concerns, clarifications, or notices regarding this Vendor Agreement, or for any vendor support-related matters, please contact us through the following channels:
- Phone: +91 90161 80583
- Address: Vadodara, Gujarat, India
- Website: freshmeat4u.com
We encourage all Vendors to review this Agreement periodically and to reach out to our vendor support team whenever clarification or assistance is needed. We are committed to building a strong, transparent, and mutually beneficial partnership with every Vendor on the FreshMeat4U platform.