Zepto in Bengaluru, Blinkit in Mumbai: Quick-commerce firms face food safety action

A Zepto warehouse and an Indira Canteen in Bengaluru were sealed on Tuesday after Karnataka food safety officials found unhygienic food handling and storage conditions. In Mumbai, authorities suspended the licence of a Blinkit facility in Malad (West) following serious food safety and hygiene violations.

The Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration said inspections had uncovered multiple violations, including improper labelling, misbranding and breaches of food storage and handling rules. Officials warned that food businesses violating safety regulations would face strict legal action.

Zepto warehouse sealed in Bengaluru

Officials inspected Zepto’s warehouse at the Nippon Express facility in Hoskote taluk as part of a special campaign covering food quality, safety, storage, labelling and handling practices under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

The inspection reportedly found unhygienic conditions, improper labelling, misbranding and violations of food-handling and storage requirements. The warehouse was subsequently sealed under applicable FSSAI provisions, while a notice was issued and further legal proceedings recommended.

Zepto said it cooperated with the inspection and was taking steps to address the observations.

Indira Canteen sealed

Inspections were also conducted at Indira Canteens in Gottigere, Singasandra and Lingarajapuram. Officials found violations related to labelling and misbranding, among other food safety concerns.

The Gottigere outlet was sealed, while notices were issued to all three canteens. Samples of pulses, turmeric powder, cooking oil, jaggery, salt, sugar and prepared food were collected and sent for laboratory testing.

The department advised food businesses to maintain hygiene, ensure proper storage, control pests, prevent cross-contamination and safely dispose of expired food and used cooking oil.

Blinkit licence suspended in Mumbai

In Maharashtra, the Food Safety and Drug Administration suspended the licence of Blink Commerce Pvt Ltd, which operates Blinkit, for its Malad (West) facility over serious food safety violations.

Officials reportedly found extensive cockroach infestation, improperly stored food, expired and tampered products, rusted storage racks and inadequate cleanliness in cold-storage areas.

The facility has been barred from selling or distributing food or conducting food business while the licence suspension remains in effect.

Larvae allegedly found in Reliance Retail sweet

A Reliance Retail outlet in Maharashtra’s Buldhana district also came under scrutiny after a complaint alleged that live larvae were found in packaged ‘Laxmi Narayan’ brand kaju katli.

Officials said the batch mentioned in the complaint was no longer available when they inspected the store. They collected a sample from another batch for laboratory testing.

Authorities also seized 54 boxes weighing 11.340 kg from the available stock. The sample has been sent to an authorised laboratory for analysis.