Maharashtra FDA suspends 105 food business licences, including Blinkit, Zepto (Representative image generated using AI)
MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licences of 105 food businesses, including Blink Commerce Pvt Ltd and Zepto Ltd, and ordered seven establishments to shut operations after detecting multiple food safety violations during a special inspection drive ahead of Diwali. The two-day crackdown on November 4 and 5 also led to the seizure of nearly 39.5 tonnes of food articles worth Rs 1.35 crore across the state. During the two-day inspection drive, the FDA seized 39,485.42 kg of food articles worth Rs 1.35 crore from more than 70 establishments. The Pune division recorded the highest seizure, with 14,429.7 kg of food articles worth Rs 49.36 lakh. The Konkan division reported seizures worth Rs 32.52 lakh, followed by Nashik at Rs 28.35 lakh, the food safety regulator said.
The inspections revealed several violations, including unhygienic manufacturing and storage conditions, improper food handling and packaging, inadequate pest control, absence of temperature-control arrangements and failure to maintain mandatory records and certificates.
The list of establishments facing licence suspension included Blink Commerce Pvt Ltd and Zepto Ltd in Mumbai, along with food manufacturers, sweet shops, hotels, restaurants and caterers, the regulator said. The seized products included mawa, khoa, paneer, ghee, edible oils, farsan, dry fruits and various sweets. Among the establishments directed to stop business operations were Rajdhani Biryani Centre in Mumbai, Aaradhana Dryfruit Sweets in Bhiwandi in Thane district, and three food establishments in Pune.