Zepto and Indira canteen warehouses sealed over food hygiene violations
Food safety officials on Tuesday sealed warehouses of Zepto and an Indira Canteen in Bengaluru after finding “unhygienic” food handling and storage conditions, officials said, as Karnataka widened its enforcement drive beyond restaurants and hotels to food storage and distribution facilities
Food safety inspectors sealed the warehouses of Zepto and an Indira Canteen in Bengaluru following unhygienic conditions discovered during their examination. The Karnataka government has extended its enforcement to food storage and distribution facilities, not just restaurants and hotels. The Food Safety and Drug Administration scrutinized Zepto's warehouse at Nippon Express in Hoskote taluk, assessing aspects such as product quality, safety, storage, labeling, and food handling practices under the 2006 Food Safety and Standards Act.
They found unhygienic food, improper labeling, misbranding, and infractions in handling and storage. Consequently, the warehouse was sealed, and a notice was issued, recommending a case to the Adjudicating Officer for further legal action. Similar inspections at three Indira Canteens in Gottigere, Singasandra, and Lingarajapuram revealed labeling, misbranding, and other FSSAI violations.
The Gottigere warehouse was sealed, and notices were given to all three establishments, with cases recommended for legal action. Food samples like pulses, turmeric powder, cooking oil, jaggery, salt, sugar, and prepared meals were sent for lab testing. The crackdown follows inspections of hotels, restaurants, and pubs in Bengaluru.
Earlier checks at facilities operated by Coldman Logistics and Radhakrishna Foodland uncovered expired sauces and beverages. On August 10, authorities seized or discarded 132 kg of food and 15 liters of used cooking oil. In one UB City establishment, rotten chicken and beef were found, while other inspections revealed duck, fish, green peas, mushrooms, and other unfit-for-consumption food.
The department has issued an advisory to food businesses on hygiene, storage, pest control, prevention of cross-contamination, and safe disposal of expired food and used cooking oil, warning of severe legal action against violators. Zepto stated it cooperated with the inspection and was taking steps to address the authorities' observations.
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