Blinkit Malad Store Licence Suspended After FDA Finds Cockroaches and Food Safety Violations
Maharashtra : The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food licence of a Blinkit dark store in Mumbai’s Malad West after an inspection uncovered several food safety and hygiene violations, including cockroaches near fruits and vegetables, expired food products and food items being stored directly on the floor.
The action was taken against Blink Commerce Private Limited’s facility located on Ramchandra Lane in Malad West. The FDA’s move applies specifically to this store and does not mean that Blinkit’s entire food business or its other dark stores across Mumbai have been shut down.
According to officials, the inspection was carried out on August 7 after concerns about the facility’s hygiene standards. During the visit, inspectors reportedly found the premises in an unsatisfactory condition, with several practices that could potentially affect the safety and quality of food being stored there.
Cockroaches found near fruits and vegetables
One of the major concerns raised by the FDA was the presence of cockroaches around stored fruits and vegetables. Officials considered this a serious hygiene issue because pests can potentially contaminate food and create health risks for consumers.
Inspectors also found food products placed directly on the floor instead of being stored appropriately. Some of the storage racks were reportedly rusty, while the cold-storage areas were not being maintained properly.
The facility was also found to have inadequate arrangements for controlling pests and rodents, adding to the concerns over the overall cleanliness of the premises.
Expired products and poor stock management
The inspection also highlighted problems with the way food products were being managed inside the store.
Officials found expired food items and noted that the facility was not properly following stock rotation systems such as First In, First Out (FIFO) and First Expiry, First Out (FEFO).
These systems are designed to ensure that products that arrived earlier or are closer to their expiry dates are sold or removed first. Proper implementation helps reduce the chances of expired or deteriorated food remaining in storage.
Problems with employee hygiene and waste disposal
The FDA also identified concerns related to the personal hygiene of employees handling food products.
According to the inspection findings, health check-up records and medical documentation for food-handling workers were not being properly maintained. Officials also found that employees did not have adequate personal protective equipment while handling food.
Waste-disposal practices at the facility were another area of concern.
Taken together, the findings pointed to shortcomings in sanitation, food storage, pest control, employee hygiene and stock management.
Licence suspended with immediate effect
Following the inspection, the FDA suspended the food licence of the Malad West facility with immediate effect under Section 32(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
As a result, the store has been barred from selling, distributing or carrying out food-related activities from the premises until further orders from the authorities.
The suspension is intended to ensure that the facility addresses the violations and meets the required food safety standards before it can resume the affected operations.
Action comes amid wider food safety inspections in Mumbai
The action against the Blinkit facility comes as the Maharashtra FDA continues a broader food safety inspection drive across Mumbai.
Between May 25 and July 31, officials inspected 3,137 hotels, restaurants, eateries and other food establishments across the city. Several establishments were reportedly found violating food safety and hygiene requirements, prompting action from the department.
The inspections are aimed at ensuring that businesses involved in preparing, storing, selling or distributing food follow prescribed safety standards.
For consumers, the inspections are particularly important as the rapid growth of online grocery and quick-commerce services has increased the number of facilities storing and handling food products before they reach customers.
The FDA’s action against the Malad facility highlights the importance of maintaining proper hygiene even in dark stores, where customers may not normally enter but where large quantities of food and other products are stored before delivery.
The authorities are expected to continue monitoring food businesses across Mumbai as part of the wider campaign to improve compliance with food safety regulations and protect consumers from potential health risks.
News source: Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
