BENGALURU: Indian food safety authorities have taken action against facilities linked to major quick-commerce companies Zepto and Blinkit after inspections uncovered serious hygiene and food-storage violations.
Karnataka’s Food Safety and Drug Administration Department sealed a Zepto warehouse in Hoskote taluk in Bengaluru Rural district following a surprise inspection.
Officials reported unhygienic food handling and storage, improper labelling and misbranding of food products. Authorities also recommended further legal action over the violations.
Zepto said it had cooperated with authorities and was taking steps to address the issues raised during the inspection.
Cockroach infestation at Blinkit facility
Separately, Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration suspended the food licence of a Blinkit-operated facility in Mumbai’s Malad West after inspectors reported severe hygiene problems.
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Authorities found a large cockroach infestation affecting fruit and vegetable stocks, along with problems involving food storage. Reports also cited expired, damaged or potentially tampered products.
The facility has been prohibited from selling, distributing or handling food while its licence remains suspended.
The enforcement actions have renewed scrutiny of hygiene standards in India’s rapidly expanding quick-commerce industry, which promises consumers grocery and household deliveries within minutes.
Indian regulators have previously urged e-commerce and quick-commerce platforms to comply with food safety requirements, including rules governing product shelf life, storage and food-handling practices.
