Maha FDA cracks down on Blinkit, Zepto; Suspends many licences

Food safety becomes a major concern during festive seasons, when demand for sweets, snacks and other food products rises sharply.

Ahead of Diwali, Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched a statewide inspection drive and uncovered several violations.

Following inspections conducted on November 4 and 5, the regulator suspended 105 food business licences and ordered seven establishments to shut operations.

Quick-commerce platforms Blinkit and Zepto were also among those facing regulatory action, according to an official statement.

The suspended licences included 39 establishments in Nashik, 28 in Mumbai and 20 in Pune.

Additionally, Amravati accounted for 15 suspensions, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar for two and Thane for one.

Meanwhile, three establishments in Pune, two in Amravati and one each in Mumbai and Konkan were directed to stop operations.

The list of establishments facing suspension included Blink Commerce Pvt Ltd and Zepto Ltd in Mumbai, alongside sweet shops, restaurants, hotels, caterers and food manufacturers.

During the inspections, officials identified several food safety violations.

These included unhygienic manufacturing and storage conditions, improper food handling and packaging, and inadequate pest control. Authorities also found missing temperature-control facilities and mandatory records.

The two-day operation resulted in the seizure of 39,485.42 kg of food products worth approximately ₹1.35 crore from more than 70 establishments.

The seized items included mawa, khoa, paneer, ghee, edible oils, farsan, dry fruits and assorted sweets.

Pune recorded the highest seizure, involving 14,429.7 kg of food products valued at ₹49.36 lakh. The Konkan division followed with seizures worth ₹32.52 lakh, while Nashik accounted for ₹28.35 lakh.

Furthermore, authorities seized prohibited gutkha and pan masala products worth ₹7.96 lakh from three locations.

The operation also led to three FIRs, two arrests and the seizure of two vehicles worth ₹4.70 lakh. Officials additionally sealed two establishments.

The FDA clarified that businesses with suspended licences cannot conduct food-related operations during the suspension period.

The crackdown highlights the regulator’s efforts to strengthen food safety checks during the festive rush and prevent the sale of unsafe food products.

Image from Pxhere (Free for commercial use / CC0 Public Domain)

Image published on March 05, 2017

Image Reference: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/990211