Blinkit's food licence suspended in Pune's Balewadi for regulatory violations: Report
Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food business licence of
Blinkit
's
dark store
in Pune's Balewadi area. According to a report by Economic Times, the FDA conducted an investigation on June 5 and found that the dark store was operating without the required approvals from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
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Operated by M/s Energy Darkstore Services near Mitcon College, the facility was found storing and selling food items without obtaining the mandatory licence under Section 31(1) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The licence will remain suspended until proper authorisation is secured.
As per the report, officials also cited multiple
food safety violations
at the site. The inspection report flagged issues such as food placed directly on the floor, lack of pest control certification, workers without protective gear, dusty storage racks, and a cold storage unit missing a calibration certificate.
This action is part of a broader crackdown by authorities on quick commerce 'dark stores' amid rising concerns about food hygiene and safety.
License of Zepto's Dharavi facility suspended
Earlier this month, Maharashtra's FDA cancelled the food business licence of Zepto's Dharavi facility after an inspection revealed multiple hygiene and food safety norms violations. The inspection uncovered fungal growth on some food items, storage near stagnant water, unclean and wet floors, and cold storage units that failed to maintain the necessary temperature.
Officials also found expired food products that were not separated from fresh stock.
'The inspection at the Dharavi location revealed poor hygiene and unsafe food storage conditions,' said FDA officials.
Following these findings, Assistant Commissioner of Food, Anupamaa Balasaheb Patil, ordered the cancellation of the facility's licence under Section 32(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
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