Warehouses of the quick-commerce firm Zepto and an Indira Canteen in Bengaluru were sealed on Tuesday after Karnataka food safety and drug administration officials found “unhygienic” conditions in food handling and storage. In Mumbai, meanwhile, the Maharashtra food safety and drug administration suspended the licence of Blinkit’s Malad (West) facility over serious food safety and hygiene violations.
The Karnataka government said the special inspection campaign had found several violations and warned that food business operators breaching safety rules would face strict legal action.
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Zepto warehouse sealed in Bengaluru
Karnataka food safety and drug administration carried out an inspection at Zepto’s warehouse at the Nippon Express facility in Hoskote taluk. The checks covered “quality, safety, storage, labelling and food handling practices” under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, along with the rules framed under it.
Officials found unhygienic food conditions, improper labelling, misbranding, and breaches of food-handling and storage practices, HT reported earlier.
“In view of the unhygienic food handling and storage conditions observed, the warehouse was sealed in accordance with the applicable FSSAI provisions,” the department said. It also issued a notice and recommended that the matter be taken up by the concerned Adjudicating Officer for further legal proceedings.
Inspections at Indira Canteens in Karnataka
{{/usCountry}}“In view of the unhygienic food handling and storage conditions observed, the warehouse was sealed in accordance with the applicable FSSAI provisions,” the department said. It also issued a notice and recommended that the matter be taken up by the concerned Adjudicating Officer for further legal proceedings.
Inspections at Indira Canteens in Karnataka
{{/usCountry}}Officials also carried out checks at three Indira Canteens in Gottigere, Singasandra and Lingarajapuram. The inspections found issues involving labelling, misbranding and other violations of FSSAI rules.
The Gottigere canteen was sealed, while notices were served to all three outlets and cases were recommended for legal action. Samples of pulses, turmeric powder, cooking oil, jaggery, salt, sugar and prepared food were collected and sent to laboratories for testing.
The department has also advised food businesses to follow proper hygiene and storage practices, control pests, prevent cross-contamination, and safely dispose of expired food and used cooking oil. It warned that those found violating the rules could face strict legal action.
Zepto’s statement over govt action
Zepto said it had cooperated with the inspection and was acting on the observations made by officials.
A spokesperson said, “Routine food safety inspections are conducted by authorities across the country as part of their regular oversight. We have fully cooperated with the authorities during the inspection, taken note of the observations and suggestions shared, and are taking the necessary steps to address them. We remain committed to continuously strengthening our processes and maintaining high standards of food safety and hygiene.”
‘Cockroach infestation’ at Blinkit facility in Mumbai
The Maharashtra food safety and drug administration suspended the licence of Blink Commerce Pvt Ltd, the company that runs the quick commerce platform Blinkit, for its Malad (West) facility. The action came in response to serious food-safety and hygiene violations.
The facility was found to have a large-scale cockroach infestation, improperly stored food, and expired and tampered products, HT reported earlier.
Officials found food items kept on rusted racks. The cold storage areas also lacked adequate cleanliness, and expired or spoiled packaged food was found at the facility.
The establishment has been prohibited from selling or distributing food or carrying out any food business during the period of the licence suspension, according to a statement.
Live larvae found in Reliance Retail sweets
A Reliance Retail outlet in Maharashtra's Buldhana district came under scrutiny after live larvae were allegedly found in a popular sweet sold at the store.
The violation was reported at the Reliance Retail Ltd outlet at ARD Cinemall in Buldhana district. Officials said they took action after receiving a complaint that live larvae had been found in packaged 'Laxmi Narayan' brand 'kaju katli' kept at the outlet, news agency PTI reported.
During the inspection, officials found that the batch mentioned in the complaint, manufactured on May 29 and carrying an expiry date of August 29, was no longer available at the store. However, they collected a food sample from another batch made on July 20, which was valid until October 20.
At least 54 boxes from the available stock, weighing 11.340 kg and valued at ₹10,238 crore, were seized. The sample has been sent to an authorised food laboratory for testing.