Statewide FDA Raid Targets Quick-Commerce Dark Stores
In a major regulatory enforcement action, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cracked down heavily on quick-commerce delivery platforms across the state. Following a comprehensive inspection drive targeting urban fulfillment hubs—commonly known as dark stores—the state regulator suspended the food business licences of 14 establishments associated with leading delivery apps, including Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy Instamart.
The surprise inspections were conducted across 86 dark stores and warehouses selling and delivering food items online. Alongside the 14 licence suspensions, FDA inspectors issued 60 formal improvement notices to operators and mandated the immediate temporary stoppage of business at one non-compliant facility. Out of the 14 suspended licences, five belonged to dark stores linked to Blinkit, five to Zepto, two to Swiggy Instamart, one to Swinsta Ent Pvt Ltd, and one to Bhagwati Stores.
Major Violations Found: Cockroach Infestation and Expired Items
The state-wide inspection drive exposed severe health, storage, and sanitary violations across multiple facilities. Regulatory officers reported extensive cockroach and pest infestations, with insects crawling directly over fresh produce such as fruits and vegetables. Inspectors also uncovered significant quantities of expired food items stored alongside fresh inventory, reflecting a blatant violation of standard inventory management principles.
In addition to pest control failures, regulators flagged severe non-compliance with the First In, First Out (FIFO) and First Expired, First Out (FEFO) stock rotation rules. Perishable goods were stored directly on unsanitary floors or placed on corroded, rusted metal racks. Furthermore, temperature controls in cold storage rooms were found to be improperly maintained, risking the safety of temperature-sensitive dairy and frozen food products.
Breakdown of Outlets Hit Across Mumbai and Pune
The regulatory crackdown impacted major fulfillment centers across key metropolitan hubs, particularly in Mumbai and Pune:
-
Blinkit (Malad West & Ghatkopar, Mumbai): At the Malad West facility, inspectors recorded chiller room temperatures set at an unsafe 6 degrees Celsius alongside severe health checkup lapses for over 40 food handlers. In Ghatkopar, poor drainage, dirty storage racks, and pest problems led to a low compliance score of 34 out of 74 (46%).
-
Zepto (Lohegaon, Pune & Goregaon, Mumbai): In Pune’s Lohegaon outlet, inspectors discovered food items kept past their declared “Use By” dates, combined with severe personal hygiene deficiencies among workers. Re-inspection at Goregaon revealed persistent issues with lighting, cleanliness, and cold chain protocols.
-
Swiggy Instamart (Andheri, Mumbai): The facility suffered from extreme space congestion, improper lighting, and food packets placed directly on contaminated floor surfaces.
-
Swinsta Ent Pvt Ltd (Warje Jakat Naka, Pune): Food safety officers noted severe cockroach infestations and a complete failure to maintain the cold chain for frozen food products.
FDA Mandate and Next Steps for Quick-Commerce Giants
The regulatory action was carried out under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSS Act), 2006. Senior FDA officials emphasized that while no food business licence was permanently cancelled, the suspended facilities are barred from storing, distributing, or selling any food products until full compliance is demonstrated.
To resume operations, the affected companies must rectify all identified deficiencies, ensure mandatory medical certifications and protective gear (gloves, aprons, and headgear) for all food handlers, and submit compliance reports. The FDA will conduct rigorous follow-up inspections and formal hearings before deciding whether to restore the suspended operating licences.
