Blinkit Facility Faces Immediate Licence Suspension
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food licence of a Blink Commerce facility in Mumbai after inspectors found serious food safety violations, including an extensive cockroach infestation and improper storage of food products.
The action followed an inspection conducted on August 7 at Blink Commerce’s establishment at Sarvodaya Bhuvan in Malad (West), Mumbai). The FDA said the facility was found operating in extremely unhygienic conditions, with serious shortcomings in food storage, cleanliness and pest control.
The licence has been suspended with immediate effect and will remain suspended until further orders.
Cockroaches Found In Fruit And Vegetable Storage
One of the most serious findings was a large cockroach infestation in the facility’s vegetable and fruit storage areas.
According to the FDA, the infestation created a significant risk of food contamination. Inspectors also found inadequate pest and rodent control, poor waste management and maintenance, and inadequate cleanliness in the cold-storage area.
The facility was also found to have expired, damaged and tampered packaged food products stored in its cold room.
Expired Food And Poor Hygiene Practices
The inspection uncovered several other violations. The facility was reportedly not following FIFO and FEFO practices, which require food products to be managed according to their purchase and expiry dates.
The FDA also found that food handlers did not have adequate medical examination and health records. Necessary personal hygiene measures and protective equipment were also found to be lacking.
The suspension means the facility has been barred from selling, distributing or conducting food business during the period of the regulatory action.
Reliance Retail Outlet Under Investigation
In a separate case, the Maharashtra FDA is investigating a Reliance Retail outlet at ARD Cinemall in Buldhana district after receiving a complaint that live larvae were allegedly found in packaged Laxmi Narayan brand kaju katli.
When FDA officials inspected the outlet, the specific batch mentioned in the complaint was no longer available. That batch had been manufactured on May 29 and was due to expire on August 29.
However, another batch manufactured on July 20 and valid until October 20 was found at the store. The FDA collected a sample of this batch for laboratory testing.
₹10,238 Worth Of Kaju Katli Seized
The FDA seized 54 boxes weighing 11.340 kg, with a total value of ₹10,238, from the available stock.
The sample has been sent to an authorised food laboratory for analysis. Further legal action against the Reliance Retail outlet will depend on the laboratory findings under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Maharashtra Intensifies Food Safety Crackdown
The actions against Blink Commerce and Reliance Retail are part of a wider food safety enforcement drive in Maharashtra.
The latest inspections show that authorities are increasingly scrutinising food storage, hygiene, pest control and product quality across retail and food businesses. For consumers, the cases highlight the importance of stronger food safety compliance at facilities handling products that eventually reach households.
Summary
The Maharashtra FDA suspended the food licence of a Blink Commerce facility in Malad after finding extensive cockroach infestation, unhygienic conditions, expired and damaged food, poor storage and inadequate pest control. Separately, a Reliance Retail outlet in Buldhana is under investigation after a complaint about live larvae in kaju katli. The FDA seized 54 boxes weighing 11.340 kg and valued at ₹10,238 for laboratory testing.
