Blinkit Store Licence Suspended in Mumbai, Zepto Warehouse Sealed in Bengaluru amid Food Safety Crackdown
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Food safety authorities in Maharashtra and Karnataka have reportedly cracked down on quick-commerce outlets and public canteens in Mumbai and Bengaluru following severe hygiene and storage violations.
In Mumbai, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suspended the food licence of a Blinkit store operated by Blink Commerce Private Limited in Malad West. The regulatory action followed an inspection on August 7 that uncovered widespread sanitary lapses at the facility.
Inspectors reported severe pest control failures and unhygienic conditions inside the hub, triggering immediate regulatory action under Section 32(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Widespread Violations Found
Major violations identified during the Malad West inspection included:
- Cockroaches crawl on fresh fruits and vegetables alongside expired and damaged inventory.
- Food items stored directly on floors, rusty storage racks, and poorly maintained cold-storage areas.
- Tampered or damaged food packaging and non-compliance with First In, First Out (FIFO) and First Expiry, First Out (FEFO) stock systems.
- Inadequate waste management and missing health inspection records for staff lacking personal protective equipment.
The suspension halts all food business operations at the Malad West facility until further instructions.
Wider Enforcement Drive
The action forms part of an intensive drive across Maharashtra. FDA officials reportedly inspected 3,137 food establishments in Mumbai between May 25 and July 31, issuing 764 improvement notices and suspending 165 food licences.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe clarified that licence suspensions do not automatically lead to permanent closures. Affected establishments can rectify violations, after which the FDA may conduct fresh inspections and hearings before deciding whether to restore their licences.
Action in Bengaluru
Meanwhile, in Bengaluru, Karnataka's Food Safety Department sealed a Zepto warehouse during a city-wide drive after finding food safety, hygiene, labelling and misbranding issues.
Officials also inspected three Indira Canteens, which serve affordable meals across Bengaluru. The drive uncovered hygiene breaches at the facilities, leading authorities to seal a warehouse linked to one of the canteens.
The state enforcement measures reflect a sharpened regulatory focus across urban centres on food storage, pest management, accurate labelling and staff hygiene protocols.
