Cockroaches, expired food: Blinkit, Zepto, Instamart face Maharashtra FDA crackdown

The FDA inspected 86 establishments linked to online food delivery platforms on August 13, suspending 14 food business licences with immediate effect. Five licences were linked to Blinkit, five to Zepto, two to Instamart, while one each belonged to Bhagwati Store and Swinsta ENT.

Alongside the licence suspensions, the FDA issued 60 improvement notices and ordered one establishment to immediately halt business operations. The inspections examined storage conditions, temperature control, cleanliness, pest control, hygiene of food handlers, FIFO and FEFO practices, food safety records and the display of.

What Happened

At a Zepto facility in Pune’s Lohegaon area, inspectors found food products stored beyond their declared “Use By” dates. The facility also failed to follow FIFO and FEFO practices and had unhygienic storage, inadequate pest control and serious personal hygiene deficiencies.

• The facility scored 81 out of 180 marks, or 45 per cent, and was declared non-compliant.

• Despite scoring 98 out of 142 marks, or 70 per cent, the unit was still classified as non-compliant.

• The facility scored 76 out of 140 marks, or 55 per cent, and was declared non-compliant.

Key Details

A Blinkit facility in Malad West was found operating with a chiller-room temperature of 6 degrees Celsius, above the prescribed level. The FDA also found that around 40 food handlers had not undergone medical examinations and that the required records were unavailable.

• The FDA seized 698 kg of milk and milk products valued at around ₹34,302.

• Another 1,270 kg of food items, including milk products, bakery products and edible oil, valued at approximately ₹1,29,762, was seized.

• The regulator said the total value of seized goods involving other food items and banned products stood at around ₹46,89,603.

Why It Matters

Several workers were reportedly not wearing headgear, aprons or gloves. Inspectors further flagged disorganised storage, damaged and rusted racks, inadequate segregation of vegetarian, non-vegetarian, cooked and dairy products, along with shortcomings in training and food safety supervision.

• The Maharashtra FDA said the action against quick-commerce establishments and other food businesses was taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the rules and regulations framed under it.

• The department directed the cafe management to immediately rectify the violations and strictly comply with prescribed food safety and hygiene standards.

What Reports Say

Coverage of the story so far points to:

• Continued reporting by India Today as more details emerge