Maharashtra FDA suspends 14 licences of Zepto, Blinkit, Instamart outlets

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has temporarily halted the operations of 14 online food delivery outlets, including brands Zepto, Blinkit, and Instamart, following an inspection that uncovered significant food safety and hygiene infractions. The inspection, carried out on August 13, targeted 86 businesses selling food via online platforms.

The Maharashtra FDA delivered warning notices to 60 establishments while ordering one to cease operations immediately. Of the 14 suspended licenses, five belonged to Blinkit, five to Zepto, two to Instamart, and one each to Bhagwati Stores and Swinsta ENT Pvt Ltd, which also operates an Instamart outlet.

During the inspections, officials uncovered a variety of infractions, including rodent droppings, cockroach infestations, the use of expired food stock, and poor storage conditions. Several Mumbai locations were discovered with rusted storage racks, food placed directly on the floor, inadequate separation of food and non-food items, and a lack of adherence to FIFO/FEFO stock rotation guidelines.

At a Blink Commerce store in Ghatkopar, the outlet received a score of 34 out of 74. Inspectors noted an open toilet door, spoiled vegetables, a cockroach infestation, and the failure to display its FSSAI license.

Additionally, a RAJIDI Retail unit in Bandra West was found to have substantial quantities of rodent droppings near food packets and a lizard infestation. An FDA representative stated that RAJIDI and Bhagwati were distinct names under which Instamart was operating.

In Pune, the licenses of a Zepto outlet in Lohegaon and a Swinsta ENT unit in Warje Jakat Naka were suspended due to cold-chain failures and cockroach infestations. In Karad, Satara, a Blinkit store had 125 delivery riders operating without valid identity cards or medical fitness records. The FDA subsequently halted the store's two-wheeler delivery services until the issues were resolved.