Quick commerce platforms Zepto and Blinkit were caught in the crosshairs of food safety officials for violating food safety regulations. Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration raided a Zepto warehouse in Bengaluru on Tuesday and sealed it due to “unhygienic” conditions in food handling and storage. In Mumbai, meanwhile, the licence of a Blinkit facility in Malad (West) has been suspended after Maharashtra Food Safety and Drug Administration officials found serious food safety and hygiene violations.

Zepto warehouse sealed in Bengaluru: Food safety & drug administration officials inspected one of Zepto’s warehouses, which is being run in partnership with Nippon Express, in Hoskote, on the outskirts of Bengaluru. The checks covered “quality, safety, storage, labelling and food handling practices,” in accordance with the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, along with the rules made thereunder.

An inspection of the facility found multiple statutory violations, including unhygienic food conditions, improper labelling, misbranding, and breaches of food-handling and storage practices. In accordance with FSSAI regulations, the authorities immediately sealed the facility. They also issued a notice to the Zepto warehouse and recommended that a case be filed before the concerned Adjudicating Officer for further legal action.

“Strict legal action will be taken against food business operators found violating food safety regulations. The Food Safety and Drug Administration Department will continue to undertake such special inspection drives to ensure that the public is provided with safe, wholesome, hygienic and quality food,” the authority said.

Zepto’s statement on govt action: A Zepto spokesperson told MediaNama that the company had cooperated with the inspection and was acting on the observations and suggestions made by officials.

“Routine food safety inspections are conducted by authorities across the country as part of their regular oversight. We have fully cooperated with the authorities during the inspection, taken note of the observations and suggestions shared, and are taking the necessary steps to address them. We remain committed to continuously strengthening our processes and maintaining high standards of food safety and hygiene,” the spokesperson said.

Why this matters: This is not Zepto’s first brush with authorities over food safety violations. In its IPO prospectus, the quick commerce platform disclosed that food safety officers in Maharashtra filed adjudication applications against Zepto establishments under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Separately, a local authority in Tamil Nadu flagged one establishment for operating without a trade licence.

The latest regulatory action against Zepto comes days after the company was forced to shelve its highly anticipated initial public offering (IPO) over valuation concerns.

‘Cockroach infestation’ at Blinkit facility in Mumbai: The Maharashtra Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) suspended the food licence of a Blinkit facility in Mumbai’s Malad West, citing serious food-safety and hygiene violations, according to PTI.

During an inspection conducted on August 7, officials found “extremely unhygienic” conditions, improperly stored food, inadequate cleanliness in the cold storage and expired, damaged or tampered packaged goods.

The facility was also found to be violating First-In, First-Out (FIFO) and First-Expired, First-Out (FEFO) inventory-management practices. These practices are intended to ensure that older products or those nearing expiry are sold or removed first.

The FDA also flagged inadequate pest and rodent control measures, poor waste management and maintenance at the facility. Cockroaches were found in the fruit and vegetable storage area, posing a risk of food contamination. In the wake of these violations, the facility’s licence has been cancelled until further notice, and it has been barred from selling or distributing food products or conducting any other food business during the suspension period.

MediaNama has reached out to Blinkit for a statement. The story will be updated if and when we receive a response.

Earlier in June, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) sent Blinkit two notices over consumer complaints about spoiled food. The FSSAI said it had been receiving multiple complaints through social media and direct representations about unhygienic, spoiled, and damaged food delivered by sellers through the platform. Concerns around liability for spoiled food remain.

Last year, the Maharashtra FDA had revoked the food business licence of a Blinkit dark store in Pune’s Balewadi.

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