The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suspended the licences of muiltiple food business establishments linked to online platforms including Blinkit, Zepto and Instamart after a state-wide inspection drive found multiple food safety and hygiene violations, officials said on Friday.
The FDA inspected 86 establishments across Maharashtra on August 13 that sell and deliver food through online platforms. It issued 60 improvement notices and ordered the temporary stoppage of operations at one facility. No licence was cancelled during the drive, the state regulator said, according to a PTI report.
The FDA also suspended multiple food business licences with immediate effect, including five each linked to Blinkit and Zepto, and two linked to Instamart.
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Why the suspended licences?
The inspections examined storage and temperature control, cleanliness, pest control, personal hygiene of food handlers, compliance with FIFO/FEFO (First In, First Out/First Expired, First Out) practices, food safety records and the display of licences. The FDA said licences were suspended where serious non-compliance was found.
In Pune, the FDA suspended the licence of a Zepto outlet in Lohegaon after finding several violations. Some food products were stored beyond their declared "Use By" dates, while inspectors also found that FIFO/FEFO practices were not being followed.
{{/usCountry}}In Pune, the FDA suspended the licence of a Zepto outlet in Lohegaon after finding several violations. Some food products were stored beyond their declared "Use By" dates, while inspectors also found that FIFO/FEFO practices were not being followed.
{{/usCountry}}The regulator reported unhygienic storage conditions, inadequate pest control and serious deficiencies in the personal hygiene of food handlers.
The quick commerce firm's response during the hearing was found unsatisfactory, the FDA said.
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Blinkit and Zepto facilities in radar
At a Blinkit facility in Malad (West), Mumbai, inspectors found the chiller room temperature at 6 degrees Celsius, above the required level.
Around 40 food handlers had also not undergone medical examinations, and records related to the examinations were unavailable, the FDA said.
Several handlers were found without headgear, aprons and gloves. Inspectors also reported disorganised storage, damaged or rusted racks, inadequate segregation of vegetarian, non-vegetarian, cooked and dairy products, and shortcomings in training and food safety supervision.
Inadequate drainage, waste-disposal arrangements
At another Blinkit facility in Ghatkopar, Mumbai, inspectors found inadequate drainage and waste-disposal arrangements, temperature-control issues for frozen products, unprotected lighting fixtures in an unpacked-food storage area and poor housekeeping.
The establishment scored 34 out of 74, or 46 per cent, and was recorded as non-compliant, according to the FDA.
The FDA also inspected Zepto facilities in Mumbai. At its Mulund establishment, inspectors found inadequate waste-disposal facilities, shortcomings in temperature control, lighting and separate storage arrangements, unsatisfactory cleanliness and failure to prominently display the FSSAI licence. The establishment scored 81 out of 180, or 45 per cent, and was recorded as non-compliant.
A reinspection of Zepto's Gola Unit in Goregaon found deficiencies in temperature control, lighting, food storage, personal hygiene facilities and cleanliness. The unit scored 98 out of 142, or 70 per cent, but was still classified as non-compliant, the FDA said.
At an Instamart facility in Andheri, Mumbai, inspectors found some food packets stored directly on the floor. The FDA also reported inadequate storage space, congestion of food products and packaging material, temperature-control deficiencies and shortcomings in lighting, cleanliness and personal hygiene. The establishment scored 76 out of 140, or 55 per cent, and was recorded as non-compliant.
The inspection drive also covered delivery operations.
At a Blinkit store in Karad, Satara district, officials checked 125 two-wheeler delivery riders. They found that the riders did not have identity cards or medical fitness records. The principal food business's FSSAI licence was also not displayed on delivery carts, bags or boxes. The FDA directed the firm to stop business activity involving two-wheeler deliveries until the deficiencies were rectified.
The FDA said the action against establishments operated by quick commerce firms was taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the rules and regulations framed under the legislation.
The regulator directed food business operators selling and delivering food through online platforms to strictly comply with prescribed standards for food safety, hygiene and storage.
(With inputs from PTI)