A warehouse in Hyderabad belonging to Blinkit has been raided by the Food safety officials citing multiple violations by the Commissioner of Food Safety, Telangana.
Blinkit is the quick commerce arm of Zomato.
Notably, the quick commerce sector in India is rapidly growing and changing how people shop for groceries online.
Hygiene and Safety Concerns at Blinkit Warehouse in Hyderabad
As per the food safety department, basic hygiene protocols were lacking at Blinkit’s facility. In addition to this, expired food items were also discovered on site.
On this development, a company spokesperson said that “We take safety and hygiene standards very seriously. We are closely working with our warehouse partner and the Food safety department to implement corrective actions from the findings”.
Below is the post that the Commissioner of Food Safety, Telangana, posted on X:
Task force team has conducted inspection in 𝗕𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝘁 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 at Devar yamjal, Medchal Malkajgiri District on 05.06.2024.
- The premises found to be very disorganised, unhygienic and dusty at storage racks.
- There is no Fostac trainee available.
- Food handlers were found without headgears, gloves and aprons.
- Medical fitness certificates of food handlers not available.
- Cosmetic products were stored along with food products.
- The license of Whole Farm Congruence Trade and Services Pvt Ltd was not as per FSS act regarding address mentioned on the label. Notice will be sent.
- The products manufactured by Kamakshi Foods license found to be expired, hence the products of VSR i.e Suji, Raw peanut butter, Maida, Poha, Besan and Bajra worth Rs. 30k were seized.
- Suspected infested Whole Farm Ragi flour and Toor dal of worth Rs. 52k was seized and samples sent to lab.
Seizure of Expired Products and Suspected Infestations
Products worth Rs 30,000 manufactured by Kamakshi Foods were seized since they were expired. These products included semolina, peanut butter, refined flour, flattened rice, gram flour, and pearl millet.
In addition to this, Rs 52,000 worth of whole finger millet flour and pigeon peas were suspected of being infested and sent for laboratory testing.
While the inspection, it was identified that overall warehouse environment was disorganized and unsanitary and that the storage racks were rusty too.
With a promising delivery of groceries within 10 minutes, Blinkit operates in various cities across India. It is through the dark stores that such deliveries are fulfilled.
Generally, these warehouses are typically sized between 2,500 and 3,500 square feet and are located in residential areas.
Blinkit is yet to officially responded to the raid.
