The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licences of 14 food business establishments associated with quick commerce platforms, including Blinkit, Zepto and Instamart, after a state-wide inspection uncovered serious food safety and hygiene violations. 
The inspection drive was carried out across Maharashtra and covered 86 establishments involved in storing, selling and delivering food through online platforms. Along with the licence suspensions, the FDA issued 60 improvement notices and ordered the temporary stoppage of business operations at one facility. The regulator clarified that no licence was cancelled during the drive. 
Among the suspended licences, five belonged to Blinkit establishments, five to Zepto, two to Instamart, one to Bhagwati Stores and one to Swinsta Ent Pvt Ltd. The inspections focused on food storage practices, temperature control, cleanliness, pest management, personal hygiene of food handlers, compliance with FIFO and FEFO inventory systems, food safety documentation and the display of valid licences. The FDA said suspension orders were issued wherever serious non-compliance was identified. 
In Pune, the FDA suspended the licence of a Zepto outlet in Lohegaon after inspectors found several food products stored beyond their declared use-by dates. The inspection also found that FIFO and FEFO practices were not being followed, while storage conditions were unhygienic and pest control measures were inadequate. Officials also reported serious lapses in the personal hygiene of food handlers. 
According to the regulator, the company’s response during the hearing was not satisfactory, leading to the suspension of the licence. 
Another suspended establishment in Pune was operated by Swinsta Ent Pvt Ltd at Warje Jakat Naka. Inspectors found cockroach infestation, poor maintenance of the cold chain for frozen products, inadequate temperature control and major shortcomings in hygiene and pest control practices. Several facilities in Mumbai also failed to meet food safety standards during the inspections. 
At a Blinkit dark store in Malad West, inspectors found the chiller room operating at 6 degrees Celsius, above the prescribed storage temperature. Around 40 food handlers had not undergone mandatory medical examinations, and the required records were unavailable. 
The FDA also found that several workers were not wearing headgear, gloves or aprons. Other deficiencies included disorganised storage, damaged and rusted racks, poor segregation of vegetarian, non-vegetarian, cooked and dairy products, and gaps in staff training and food safety supervision. 
A separate Blinkit facility in Ghatkopar was found to have inadequate drainage and waste disposal systems, poor housekeeping, temperature control issues for frozen products and unprotected lighting fixtures in unpacked food storage areas. The establishment scored 34 out of 74, or 46%, and was classified as non-compliant. 
The FDA inspection also covered multiple Zepto facilities in Mumbai. At the Mulund outlet, inspectors found inadequate waste disposal facilities, shortcomings in temperature control, poor cleanliness, lighting issues, insufficient separate storage arrangements and the failure to prominently display the FSSAI licence. The establishment received 81 out of 180, or 45%, and was marked non-compliant. 
A reinspection of Zepto’s Gola Unit in Goregaon found continued deficiencies in temperature control, food storage, lighting, cleanliness and personal hygiene facilities. Although the unit scored 98 out of 142, or 70%, it was still classified as non-compliant under the regulator’s assessment. 
At an Instamart facility in Andheri, inspectors found food packets stored directly on the floor, congested storage areas, inadequate space for food and packaging materials, temperature control deficiencies and poor standards of cleanliness and personal hygiene. The outlet scored 76 out of 140, or 55%, and was also marked non-compliant. 
The FDA extended its inspection drive beyond warehouses and dark stores to include food delivery operations. 
At a Blinkit facility in Karad, Satara district, officials inspected 125 two-wheeler delivery riders and found that many did not carry identity cards or medical fitness records. Inspectors also noted that the principal food business’s FSSAI licence was not displayed on delivery bags, carts or boxes. 
The regulator directed the company to suspend two-wheeler delivery operations from the facility until all deficiencies are rectified. 
The action has been taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, along with the rules and regulations framed under the legislation. The FDA has asked all food business operators supplying food through online platforms to strictly comply with prescribed standards for hygiene, storage and food safety. 
Source PTI