Maharashtra FDA action (Img AI generated)
New Delhi: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken strict action against multiple quick-commerce facilities linked to Blinkit, Zepto and Swiggy Instamart after a state-wide inspection drive revealed serious food safety and hygiene violations.
The regulator suspended the licences of 14 establishments involved in the storage, handling and delivery of food products through online platforms. The inspections were conducted across Maharashtra, covering 86 facilities.
During the crackdown, the FDA issued 60 improvement notices and temporarily suspended operations at one facility. Among the suspended licences, five were linked to Blinkit, five to Zepto and two to Instamart facilities.
A Blinkit facility in Mumbai’s Malad West area was found violating food safety standards, following which its FSSAI licence was suspended.
FDA officials found that the chiller room was operating at 6 degrees Celsius, above the recommended temperature limit. The facility also failed to maintain medical examination records of around 40 food handlers.
Inspectors further noted that several workers were operating without essential protective gear such as head caps, aprons and gloves.
Another Blinkit facility in Ghatkopar was found with poor waste disposal arrangements, inadequate drainage systems, improper storage practices and housekeeping issues.
The inspection also revealed problems including:
The facility scored only 34 out of 74 marks during the inspection.
A Zepto facility in Pune’s Lohegaon faced licence suspension after FDA officials discovered food products stored beyond their declared “Use By” dates.
The inspection revealed violations including:
The FDA said Zepto’s explanation during the hearing was not satisfactory, leading to further action.
Other Zepto-linked facilities in Mumbai were also issued notices for violations.
Several Swiggy Instamart-linked facilities were found violating food safety norms.
At a facility operated by Swinsta ENT Pvt Ltd in Pune, FDA inspectors found an active cockroach infestation, along with failures in maintaining proper cold-chain conditions and hygiene standards.
At another Instamart-linked facility in Mumbai’s Bandra West, inspectors reported:
The facility scored 63 out of 140 marks during the inspection.
Another Instamart facility in Andheri West was found storing expired poultry products at improper temperatures. The FDA identified Zorabian Chicken Curry Cut stored at 8 degrees Celsius, despite the required storage conditions being between 0-4 degrees Celsius.
The expired stock was immediately discarded.
At an Instamart facility on Mahakali Caves Road in Andheri East, inspectors found overcrowded storage areas, missing air curtains at entry points and food packets placed directly on the floor.
The Maharashtra FDA also conducted a raid at Bollywood Cafe in Dadasaheb Phalke Film City, Goregaon East, Mumbai.
Officials found serious hygiene violations, including:
The FDA initiated action against the cafe under Section 69 of the Food Safety and Standards Act.
The latest action highlights growing concerns over food safety standards in the rapidly expanding quick-commerce sector, where online grocery deliveries have witnessed massive growth across Indian cities.
Location : New Delhi
Published : 15 August 2026, 1:57 AM IST
Topics : Blinkit Maharashtra FDA Swiggy Instamart Zepto
