Maharashtra FDA Suspends Blinkit Dark Store’s Food Licence Over Hygiene Violations
Maharashtra FDA suspends Blinkit’s Malad dark store licence after finding cockroach infestation, expired food and hygiene violations.
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The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food licence of Blink Commerce Private Limited, the company behind quick-commerce platform Blinkit, for its dark store in Malad West for multiple violations related to food safety and hygiene.
The action came after an FDA inspection on August 7 at the facility on Ramchandra Lane, where officials allegedly found heavy cockroaches infestation, expired food stock and other hygiene deficiencies.
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Cockroaches Found on Stored Food:
The FDA called the premises “extremely unclean” and said it found cockroaches on fruits and vegetables, raising fears of potential food contamination.
The regulator has suspended the food licence of the facility with immediate effect until further notice. The order prohibits the company from selling or distributing food or carrying out food business activities from the premises inspected during the suspension period.
The FDA said the action is limited to the Malad West facility and does not represent a suspension of Blinkit’s overall food operations.
Reliance Store Inspected Over Kaju Katli Complaint:
In a separate case, the FDA raided Reliance Retail outlet at ARD Cinemall in Buldhana district on August 8 after a complaint was received against Lakshmi Narayan-branded kaju katli containing fungus and live insects.
The officials seized 11.34 kg of kaju katli worth Rs 10,238 from a related batch and sent samples to the laboratory for testing although the batch mentioned in the complaint was not available at the store.
Further regulatory action will be based upon the results of the lab testing.
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Dairy Products Seized
The enforcement action comes amid a special Maharashtra FDA drive targeting milk and dairy product adulteration.
As part of the campaign, the regulator has confiscated nearly 14,378 kg or litres of dairy products valued at Rs 93.26 lakh.
The latest actions highlight the Maharashtra FDA's increased scrutiny of food retailers, quick-commerce dark stores and other food businesses as authorities step up enforcement of food safety and hygiene standards across the state.
