Zepto warehouse sealed in B'luru over hygiene

Bengaluru's food safety authorities intensified their crackdown on Tuesday by sealing a Zepto warehouse in Hoskote taluk due to alleged hygiene violations. The facility, run by Nippon Express, was inspected as part of a special drive overseen by Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister UT Khader on August 11. The Food Safety and Drug Administration Department found issues such as non-compliant labeling, misbranding, and unhygienic food handling and storage.

The warehouse was sealed in view of the unhygienic conditions, and a notice was issued to the facility, with the department recommending legal action.

Zepto reportedly cooperated with the authorities during the inspection and acknowledged the observations and suggestions provided. The company stated it is implementing necessary measures to address the issues. A Zepto spokesperson emphasized the company's commitment to continuously enhancing its food safety and hygiene processes.

In addition to the Zepto warehouse, Bengaluru North City Corporation imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on Zepto in Thanisandra for alleged failure to maintain cleanliness. This comes amid intensified food safety inspections across Bengaluru following complaints about food quality, hygiene, and unsafe practices. The Food Safety Wing deployed 30 teams to inspect 26 three-star and five-star hotels, collecting 35 food samples for laboratory testing.

During these inspections, expired food products, improper labeling, unhygienic storage, fungal growth on vegetables, and inadequate segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food were found.

Authorities in Maharashtra also recently suspended the food license of a Blink Commerce facility in Mumbai due to extensive cockroach infestation and improper food storage. Similarly, a Reliance Retail outlet in Buldhana faced action after live larvae were discovered in packaged kaju katli. Another batch was sent for laboratory analysis, with further steps contingent on the report's findings.