Maharashtra FDA to continue inspection of Blinkit, Zepto dark stores

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The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will continue to inspect the dark stores of quick commerce players Zepto and Eternal's quick-commerce arm Blinkit to ensure that the companies are maintaining proper hygiene standards and are compliant, Yogesh Kadam, the state's minister of state for food, civil minister and consumer protection, told Moneycontrol.

The comments come as both players saw each of their dark stores shut down earlier last month over alleged violations of food safety and cleanliness norms and compliance issues.

Both the quick commerce players did manage to resume operations at the shut facilities after the requisite clearance was obtained from the authorities.

"They (Blinkit, Zepto) did make all the changes. We had issued them a letter mentioning that all their outlets should maintain the hygiene, all their outlets should maintain the standards. They have ensured it is being followed. Regardless, we are making sure that regular inspections are being done," Kadam told Moneycontrol.

Blinkit declined to comment. Zepto did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In June, the FDA found that a Blinkit-affiliated dark store in Pune, near Mitcon College in Balewadi, and operated by Energy Darkstore Services , was functioning without a mandatory food safety licence, in violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The facility was inspected on June 5 following a consumer complaint. Officials directed the operator to immediately suspend all food-related operations and had warned of legal action if the order was not followed.

The joint commissioner (food) directed the operator to immediately halt all food-related operations, clearly stating that the store would not be permitted to operate until it had obtained a valid licence.

Inspectors also reported unhygienic conditions, including food particles on the floor and workers handling products without headgear, Moneycontrol had reported.

The action against Blinkit’s partner store comes barely a week after the Maharashtra FDA suspended the food business licence of Zepto’s parent company, Kiranakart Technologies Pvt Ltd, over serious lapses at one of its Mumbai dark stores.

At Zepto’s Dharavi facility, inspectors found food articles with fungal growth, poor hygiene with products stored near stagnant water, expired items not clearly segregated, and failure to maintain cold storage temperatures in line with regulatory norms. The FDA had said the suspension would remain until the company demonstrated corrective action.