NEW DELHI: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licences of 14 food business establishments linked to quick-commerce platforms Blinkit, Zepto and Instamart after a statewide inspection drive uncovered multiple food safety and hygiene violations.The August 13 drive covered 86 establishments across Maharashtra involved in the storage, sale and delivery of food through online platforms. The FDA issued 60 improvement notices and ordered one facility to temporarily halt operations, news agency PTI reported.Of the 14 suspended licences, five were linked to Blinkit, five to Zepto, two to Instamart, while one each belonged to Bhagwati Stores and Swinsta Ent Pvt Ltd.The inspections focused on storage conditions, temperature control, cleanliness, pest management, personal hygiene of food handlers, food safety records, display of licences and compliance with inventory practices such as First In, First Out (FIFO) and First Expired, First Out (FEFO).In Pune, the FDA suspended the licence of a Zepto outlet in Lohegaon after inspectors found food items stored beyond their declared “use by” dates. The regulator also flagged unhygienic storage conditions, inadequate pest control and lapses in personal hygiene, adding that the company’s response during the hearing was unsatisfactory.Another Pune facility operated by Swinsta Ent Pvt Ltd was found to have a cockroach infestation, inadequate cold-chain maintenance for frozen products and deficiencies in hygiene and pest-control practices.In Mumbai, a Blinkit facility in Malad (West) was found to be operating with chiller temperatures above the prescribed limit. Inspectors also found that around 40 food handlers had not undergone mandatory medical examinations and that records were unavailable.The FDA said several workers were not using protective gear such as gloves, aprons and head coverings. Inspectors also found damaged storage racks, poor organisation and inadequate segregation of different categories of food products.At another Blinkit facility in Ghatkopar, officials flagged shortcomings in drainage, waste disposal, temperature control and housekeeping. The outlet was classified as non-compliant after scoring 46 per cent during the inspection.Inspections at Zepto facilities in Mulund and Goregaon revealed deficiencies related to food storage, temperature management, cleanliness and licence display.
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At an Instamart outlet in Andheri, inspectors found food packets stored directly on the floor. The FDA also reported inadequate storage space, overcrowding and deficiencies in hygiene and temperature control.The inspection drive also covered delivery operations.At a Blinkit store in Karad in Satara district, officials checked 125 delivery riders and found that they lacked identity cards and medical fitness records. The regulator also found that the outlet’s FSSAI licence was not displayed on delivery bags and boxes.The FDA directed the company to suspend two-wheeler delivery operations at the outlet until the deficiencies were addressed.The regulator said the action was taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and urged all food businesses operating through online platforms to strictly comply with prescribed food safety, hygiene and storage standards.
