After Zepto, FDA shuts Blinkit Pune store for no licence, improper storage

Days after suspending quick-commerce player Zepto's food business licence in Mumbai's Dharavi, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered the closure of a Blinkit dark store in Pune's Baner-Balewadi area for allegedly operating without a valid licence, The Indian Express reported on Monday.
According to the report, the facility — run by Energy Darkstore Services, a Blinkit partner — was inspected on 5 June. During the inspection, Maharashtra FDA officials also identified improper food storage conditions.
'We have asked for proper documents to be submitted in order to issue a licence. There are non-compliance issues, and without permission, they have been operating the store in the Baner-Balewadi area,' Suresh Annapure, joint commissioner, FDA, Pune, told The Indian Express.
Annapure said the facility has been asked to file a compliance report following which there will be a re-inspection.
Moreover, Food Safety Officer Laxmikant Sawale said that action was taken following violations of Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which outlines basic hygiene and sanitary practices food business operators are required to follow, the report added.
Blinkit is not the only quick commerce platform facing the heat from the FDA.
FDA crackdown on Zepto
Earlier this month, the Maharashtra FDA suspended the food business licence of quick commerce unicorn Zepto in Dharavi, Mumbai, citing non-compliance with food safety standards.
During the raid, authorities found several food safety violations at a Zepto facility, including included fungal growth on some food items, inadequate cold storage temperature control, improper segregation between expired and valid stock, food stored directly on the floor, wet and unclean flooring, and the presence of stagnant water near stored food products.
'The findings constitute a failure to comply with the conditions of the licence,' the FDA said.
In response to Business Standard's queries about the same, a Zepto spokesperson said, 'At Zepto, maintaining the highest standards of food safety and hygiene is non-negotiable. We have already initiated an internal review and are working closely with the concerned authorities to ensure full and swift compliance. We are committed to rectifying the lapses identified and strengthening our processes to provide the best and safest quality of products to our consumers. We are taking all necessary corrective measures to resume operations in accordance with regulatory obligations and applicable laws at the earliest.'

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Time of India

an hour ago

• Time of India

HC directs ADM to dispose of 2016 case against company within 1 month

Cuttack: Orissa high court has pulled up the additional district magistrate-cum-adjudicating authority, Cuttack, for inordinate delay of over nine years in adjudicating a case against a company over alleged food safety violations. Justice S K Panigrahi, hearing the company's petition, termed the prolonged pendency of the 2016 case as an "abuse of process" and ordered its final disposal within one month. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on the ADM for the delay, directing payment to the company within four weeks. The proceedings stemmed from a 2015 report by the food safety officer, following seizure of samples from the company's depot in Cuttack. The report raised concerns over the presence of monosodium glutamate (MSG), prompting initiation of adjudication proceedings. However, the petitioner argued that the continued proceedings were arbitrary and violated the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India ( FSSAI ) order dated March 31, 2016. FSSAI had clarified that glutamate occurs naturally in several food items, and current analytical methods cannot conclusively distinguish between naturally occurring and added MSG. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Move-In Ready Homes Available – Act Fast! Home Deals Near You Undo Enforcement, it added, should only proceed when a product explicitly claims 'no MSG' or 'no added MSG' and MSG is later detected. Despite the company filing representations in 2016 and again in 2018 seeking dismissal of the case, the ADM failed to pass any order. Justice Panigrahi, expressing concern, said, "This court is at a loss to understand how such an extraordinary delay has occurred, and more alarmingly, how it continued unchecked." He noted that the delay reflects "a disturbing disregard for procedural discipline" and that prescribed legal timelines are not mere formalities but essential for justice. The court further stated that such delays erode the credibility of regulatory frameworks and highlighted the importance of adhering to statutory timelines under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Justice S K Panigrahi directed the ADM to finally hear and dispose of the matter within one month stating, "Legal proceedings cannot be allowed to linger in perpetuity."

Mint

3 hours ago

• Mint

FDA recall alert: Chocolate products across the US recalled urgently by Weaver Nut Company, all you need to know

The Weaver Nut Company has suddenly recalled all its semi-sweet chocolate nonpareils with white or Christmas-colored seeds, with specific lot codes, that have been distributed throughout the United States. The reason for the recall has been cited as the presence of potential undeclared milk allergens, according to a recent press release issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday. Company Announcement Date: June 17, 2025 FDA Publish Date: June 18, 2025 Product Type: Food & Beverages Allergens Reason for Announcement: Undeclared milk allergen Company Name: Weaver Nut Company Brand Name: Weaver Nut Company Product Description: Semi-sweet chocolate pareils with white or Christmas colored seeds The company announcement, as published by the FDA in the press release, reads, "Weaver Nut Company, Inc. is recalling the following chocolate products with specific lot codes, due to potential undeclared milk allergens. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume the impacted products and Lot's listed below." Item / Description: 47518 - Nonpareil, Semi-Sweet Chocolate (Christmas Seeds) with Lot numbers: 204206, 204207, 204208, 204209, 204212, 224225 Item / Description: D2645 - Nonpareils, Semi-Sweet Chocolate (White Seeds) with Lot numbers: 204214-RL, 204214, 204215, 224221, 224222, 224223, 135215, 135216, 135217, 135220, 135221, 145204, 145205-1, 145207-1, 145210-1

Time of India

10 hours ago

• Time of India

Myntra launches quick commerce service in Delhi-NCR, Mumbai: How it is different from Blinkit, Zepto and others

Myntra has rolled out its "M-Now" 30-minute delivery service to Delhi-NCR and Mumbai, following a successful pilot in Bengaluru, a report has said. Unlike Blinkit, Zepto and other food-related quick commerce platforms, M-Now will specifically focus on delivering clothes, including from premium brands, in 30-minutes. Notably, Blinkit and Zepto also deliver some basic apparels such as tees and shorts. The M-Now service, first trialed in Bengaluru last December with around 10,000 SKUs, now offers collections from nearly 600 brands. Customers in the expanded zones can now get rapid delivery on items from popular names like Vero Moda, Mango, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Levi's and even luxury beauty and accessory brands such as Dyson, YSL, Prada, Carolina Herrera, and Huda Beauty, as per a report by The Economic Times. Myntra CEO Nandita Sinha had previously indicated the company's plans to bring the service to Mumbai, New Delhi and Pune. She noted a "significant demand from fashion-first and trend-focused premium customers for quick deliveries." Other fashion brands exploring quick-delivery by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Laticínios com até 26% OFF aqui na Shopper! Compre já Undo Myntra's move is part of a larger trend in India's e-commerce landscape, where fashion platforms like Ajio and Nykaa, along with new-age brands such as Newme, Slikk and Blip, are all exploring ultra-fast delivery. This momentum was initially sparked by quick commerce pioneers like Blinkit, Instamart, and Zepto, who expanded beyond groceries to include fashion and apparel from brands like Jockey, Manyavar, Puma, and Adidas. The report also pointed out the challenges, saying that one key hurdle is customer behaviour. As per as Snitch founder Siddharth Dungarwal, while initial interest in fast delivery is high, shoppers often revert to purchasing only basic wardrobe essentials like black t-shirts or shirts through these services. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now