Blinkit, Zepto lose 10 licences in Maharashtra FDA crackdown

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration, led by IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe, suspended 14 food business licences tied to quick-commerce platforms after inspections found food safety and hygiene violations, officials said Friday. Blinkit and Zepto lost five licences each; Instamart lost two, and Bhagwati Stores and Swinsta Ent Pvt Ltd one apiece.

Show-cause notices also went to Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff over their endorsement of Vimal Elaichi, which the FDA called "indirect or surrogate" promotion of banned pan masala and tobacco products.

A state-wide inspection drive on Aug. 13 checked 86 establishments across Maharashtra that sell and deliver food through online platforms, according to PTI. Inspectors reviewed storage conditions, temperature monitoring, cleanliness, pest control, staff hygiene and FIFO/FEFO (first-in, first-out) stock rotation, and checked whether valid licences were displayed at each site. The FDA suspended licences at establishments where inspections revealed serious violations of prescribed food safety and hygiene norms.

The affected facilities are the dark stores of Indian quick commerce, neighbourhood warehouses that hold inventory for rapid delivery. Blinkit is the delivery arm of Zomato; Instamart belongs to Swiggy. Zepto is privately held.

Where Blinkit Failed the FDA's Checks

At a Blinkit facility in Malad (West), Mumbai, inspectors found the chiller room running at 6°C, above the prescribed limit. About 40 food handlers had not undergone mandatory medical examinations, and the required records were unavailable. Workers were missing protective gear such as head covers and gloves. The FDA also recorded poorly arranged storage and damaged, rusted racks. Vegetarian, non-vegetarian, cooked and dairy products were not adequately separated, and staff training and food safety supervision showed gaps.

A second Blinkit facility, in Ghatkopar, scored 34 out of 74, about 46%, and was classified as non-compliant. Drainage and waste management were inadequate; temperature control for frozen foods fell short. Lighting fixtures above unpackaged food were exposed, and housekeeping was poor.

Separately, a video circulating on social media purported to show a live rat inside an ice cream storage crate at a Blinkit outlet in Kalyan's Godrej Hill area, according to ANI. The footage prompted residents to demand immediate inspections by the FDA and civic authorities at the facility.

The Vimal Elaichi Surrogate Ad Notice

The celebrity notices came from the Greater Mumbai FDA division on Aug. 11 and gave the actors 15 days to respond. The FDA said the "VIMAL Elaichi" name in the advertisement appeared to establish a direct link with the Vimal Pan Masala brand, potentially misleading consumers and indirectly promoting a prohibited product.

In its notice, the FDA called the advertisement prima facie misleading in relation to food and in violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, along with regulations framed under it. The notice pointed to possible breaches of provisions governing surrogate or indirect advertising under other laws and guidelines. The agency described the notice as a "final warning".

The FDA instructed the actors to immediately stop participating in the advertisement and delete related promotional material from their official social media accounts and other digital platforms under their control. It also barred them from assisting in the campaign's broadcast, publication, circulation or promotion in any manner, and asked for details of the due diligence they or their agencies performed before agreeing to the endorsement.

The 15-day clock for the actors' responses started Aug. 11. The FDA has not said when the suspended businesses can seek reinstatement.