The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food licence of Blink Commerce Pvt Ltd, which operates Blinkit, after an inspection of its Malad West facility found serious food safety and hygiene violations.
The action followed an inspection conducted on August 7 at the company’s facility in Ramchandra Lane, Malad West. FDA officials reportedly found the premises in extremely unhygienic condition, with a large-scale cockroach infestation, improper food storage and inadequate cleanliness.
According to the inspection findings, cockroaches were found in areas where fruits and vegetables were stored, raising concerns over possible contamination. Officials also found damaged and expired food products, while some food items were stored on racks and floors in improper conditions.
The facility was also found to have deficiencies in pest and rodent-control measures, waste management and the cleaning of food-handling and cold-storage areas. The inspection further identified shortcomings in the maintenance of records related to the health examinations of food-handling employees and deficiencies in personal hygiene and protective equipment.
The FDA also noted that the facility was not properly following the FIFO and FEFO systems for stock management, which are intended to ensure that older or soon-to-expire food products are dispatched first.
Following the violations, the FDA suspended Blink Commerce's food licence with immediate effect under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and relevant food licensing regulations.
During the suspension period, the facility has been prohibited from selling or distributing food products or carrying out food-related business from the premises. Authorities have warned that further legal action could be taken if the facility is found operating despite the suspension.
The action comes amid a wider food-safety enforcement drive by the Maharashtra FDA, which has been conducting inspections of food businesses across the state to identify hygiene violations, adulteration and unsafe food practices.
The development puts renewed focus on hygiene and food-storage standards at quick-commerce dark stores, which handle large volumes of groceries and food products for rapid delivery to consumers.
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