Govt to conduct more quality checks of q-comm dark stores amid hygiene concerns: Report

The government has noted the recent food safety violations and complaints, top officials in the consumer affairs ministry said

India may soon increase the inspection of dark stores operated by quick commerce companies as concerns grow over the hygiene of these warehouses, a report by the Economic Times said on June 11.

The campaign for quality checks of these dark stores will be led by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), ET said. Under its campaign, the food regulator is likely to conduct more surprise checks at the warehouses and storage facilities of quick commerce firms across the country, the report said.

Recently, Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration had flagged several unhygienic conditions at the dark stores of Zepto and Blinkit in Mumbai and Pune. In Telangana too, the Food Safety commissioner has increased reviews of warehouses over concerns of unsanitary conditions.

The government has noted the recent food safety violations and complaints, top officials in the consumer affairs ministry told the newspaper.

Last week, the Maharashtra FDA had suspended the food business license of Zepto’s parent firm Kiranakart Technologies Pvt Ltd after finding lapses at its Dharavi facility in Mumbai.

The watchdog found that certain food items in Zepto’s Dharavi dark store had fungus growing on them, products were stored in and near clogged stagnant water, indicating poor hygiene.

In addition, the FDA also flagged a Blinkit dark store in Pune for running without mandatory food license.