The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken decisive action by suspending the licenses of 14 establishments associated with quick-commerce services such as Blinkit, Zepto, and Instamart. This decision follows a state-wide inspection that revealed significant food safety and hygiene violations, including issues like pest infestations and the presence of expired food products. The FDA’s move underscores the importance of maintaining strict food safety standards in the rapidly growing quick-commerce sector.
Several handlers were reportedly not wearing headgear, aprons and gloves. At another Blinkit facility in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar at Shiv Shakti Heights near Patel Chowk, inspectors found inadequate drainage and waste-disposal arrangements, problems with temperature control for frozen products, unprotected lighting fixtures in an unpacked-food storage area and poor housekeeping. The inspection also found a cockroach infestation, damaged ceilings and flooring and inadequate segregation of food. The FDA suspended the licence of a Zepto facility in Pune’s Lohegaon after inspectors found several food-safety violations.
The inspections were carried out across Maharashtra on Thursday, with 86 establishments involved in the storage, sale and delivery of food through online platforms. The facility also did not have medical examination records for around 40 food handlers.
Some food products were being stored beyond their declared “Use By” dates.
