Maharashtra FDA suspends licenses for Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched a major crackdown on food safety and hygiene standards across the state, specifically targeting the rapidly growing quick commerce sector. Under the direction of Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, officials inspected 86 establishments, including food businesses and online delivery platforms.

The inspections resulted in the immediate suspension of 14 food business licenses. The crackdown heavily impacted major delivery services, with five licenses suspended for Blinkit, five for Zepto, and two for Swiggy Instamart. Officials reported significant hygiene lapses, including cockroach infestations in storage areas and rusted racks. In one instance in Kalyan, a video surfaced showing a rodent inside an ice cream freezer at a Blinkit store.

Beyond quick commerce, the FDA inspected 109 hotels, restaurants, and dhabas, issuing 60 improvement notices and suspending four additional licenses. The drive also targeted violations involving milk products and banned substances like pan masala, leading to the seizure of various food items and the arrest of nine individuals. The total value of seized goods was reported at approximately Rs 46.89 lakh.