₹1.38 Crore Worth of Food Products Seized
Food safety officials in Bengaluru have seized expired and improperly labelled food products worth ₹1.38 crore during a special enforcement drive targeting online delivery platforms, dark stores and other food storage facilities.
The Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration also seized medicines worth ₹4.02 lakh that were allegedly being stored without the required licences.
The inspections were carried out under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
Amazon and Swiggy Instamart Facilities Inspected
The enforcement operation covered facilities associated with Amazon and Swiggy Instamart, along with other food storage and supply units around Bengaluru.
At an Amazon facility in Devanahalli, officials found food products worth around ₹14 lakh with incorrect or inadequate labelling, while expired food worth another ₹10 lakh was seized.
Officials examined manufacturing and expiry dates, shelf life and other mandatory labelling requirements as part of the inspections.
₹1.05 Crore in Expired or Near-Expiry Products
According to the food safety department, expired or near-expiry food products worth approximately ₹1.05 crore were seized during the wider operation.
These included nutritional products, beverages, chocolates, sweets, ghee, nuts and seeds.
Another ₹33 lakh worth of food products was seized for incorrect or inadequate labelling, bringing the total value of food products confiscated to ₹1.38 crore.
Local Retailer Also Seized
Officials also inspected Leo 7 Enterprises in Lingarajapuram, where several categories of expired and nearly expired products were reportedly found.
The owner told officials that food products worth approximately ₹56 lakh were stored at the premises. The facility was subsequently seized as authorities continued their investigation.
Medicines Stored Without Licences
The crackdown also uncovered problems involving pharmaceutical products.
Medicines valued at around ₹4.02 lakh were seized from two e-commerce storage facilities after officials found them being stored without the necessary licences.
This means the enforcement operation extended beyond food safety to compliance requirements governing the storage and distribution of medicines.
Probe Linked to ‘Peptide Party’
The inspections reportedly followed information and documents connected to a “peptide party” organised in Bengaluru.
The investigation prompted officials to examine where products supplied for such activities had originated and subsequently broaden their checks to online commerce and storage facilities.
Health Minister U T Khader has indicated a zero-tolerance approach towards violations involving expired products, incorrect labelling and unauthorised storage.
What This Means for Online Shoppers
The operation highlights a growing challenge for quick-commerce and e-commerce platforms, where products can move rapidly from dark stores to consumers.
For customers, checking expiry dates, packaging integrity and product labels remains important even when purchases are made through established online platforms.
The action also underlines the responsibility of retailers and delivery platforms to ensure that products entering their warehouses and dark stores comply with food and drug safety requirements.
Summary: Karnataka food safety officials seized ₹1.38 crore worth of expired, near-expiry and improperly labelled food products during inspections of e-commerce and storage facilities in Bengaluru. Amazon, Swiggy Instamart and local retailers were among those inspected. Medicines worth another ₹4.02 lakh were also seized over alleged licensing violations, as authorities intensified their food-safety crackdown.
