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New Delhi: Quick-commerce platform Blinkit has faced regulatory action after the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suspended the food license of its warehouse located in Malad, Mumbai. The action was taken after officials allegedly found serious hygiene violations, including a cockroach infestation, improper food storage and sanitation issues during an inspection.

The FDA conducted the inspection on August 7 as part of a special campaign against adulterated, substandard and non-compliant food products across Maharashtra.

FDA Finds Poor Hygiene Conditions at Blinkit Facility

According to officials, the inspection revealed several issues at the Blinkit Commerce warehouse, including a large presence of cockroaches, food items stored directly on the floor and rusted storage racks.

Officials also reportedly found inadequate cleaning of cold storage areas and shortcomings in maintaining proper hygiene standards. The FDA stated that the facility lacked effective pest and rodent control measures, while waste management and sanitation practices were also found to be unsatisfactory.

Food Safety License Suspended

Following the inspection, the FDA suspended the warehouse's food license with immediate effect. The suspension applies to license number 11524010000119 and will remain in place until further notice, according to officials.

Authorities also highlighted deficiencies in the FIFO (First In, First Out) and FEFO (First Expiry, First Out) systems, which are important for managing food inventory and preventing the sale of expired products.

FDA Launches Statewide Food Safety Crackdown

The action against Blinkit was part of a larger inspection drive conducted by the Maharashtra FDA between August 7 and August 9. During the campaign, officials reportedly seized illegal and non-compliant food stocks worth crores of rupees and initiated action against multiple establishments.

Other Major FDA Actions Across Maharashtra

The FDA also took action against several other food businesses during the campaign:

• Five edible oil production and repacking units in Beed district faced action after officials found irregularities, including unhygienic conditions, used tins for oil filling and labeling issues. Around 1,19,187.5 kg of edible oil worth approximately 1.94 crore rupees was seized.
• Authorities seized 11,340 kg of cashew katli after receiving a complaint about mold and live insects in a product sold at a retail outlet in Buldhana. Samples were sent for laboratory testing.
• Around 87,320 liters of packaged drinking water branded as “Oxyca” was seized during an inspection.
• A jaggery manufacturing unit in Kolhapur was inspected, where officials seized 950 kg of suspected stock, including jaggery and sugar, over alleged hygiene and quality concerns.