Blinkit’s Malad West facility had expired and tampered food products, while 11.34 kg of kaju katli was seized from a Reliance Retail outlet
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken action against Blink Commerce Private Limited, which operates the Eternal-owned quick-commerce platform Blinkit, and a Reliance Retail outlet in separate food safety cases in the state. The FDA suspended Blinkit’s food licence after finding severe hygiene violations at its Malad West dark store and seized kaju katli stock from the Reliance Retail outlet following a customer complaint.
Food safety officers from the FDA’s Brihanmumbai division inspected Blinkit’s facility on Ramchandra Lane, Malad West, on 7 August. The inspection found a large-scale cockroach infestation, particularly in the fruit and vegetable storage area, along with expired food products and unsanitary storage conditions.
The FDA described the premises as “extremely unclean”. Inspectors found food products stored directly on the floor and on rusted racks, while the cold-storage area had not been adequately cleaned.
Blinkit Licence Suspended
The FDA suspended Blink Commerce’s food licence, number 11524010000119, with immediate effect until further orders under Section 32(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.
The inspection also found expired, damaged and tampered packaged food products, including items kept in the cold room. The facility was not following first-in, first-out (FIFO) or first-expiry, first-out (FEFO) principles for stock management.
The regulator further flagged ineffective pest and rodent control in storage and food-handling areas, alongside shortcomings in waste management, cleanliness and maintenance.
Deficiencies were also found in staff hygiene and protective equipment. Medical examination and health records for food-handling employees were unavailable, while some food products were stored in improper and disorganised conditions.
The suspension applies only to the inspected Malad West facility and does not affect Blinkit’s wider food operations. During the suspension, the facility has been prohibited from selling or distributing food products or conducting any food business from the premises.
The FDA has warned of strict legal action if the establishment is found operating during the suspension period. Eternal, the parent company of Blinkit, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Reliance Retail Stock Seized
In a separate case, the FDA inspected a Reliance Retail outlet at ARD Cinemall in Buldhana district on 8 August after receiving a customer complaint alleging fungus and live insects in Lakshmi Narayan-brand kaju katli.
The specific batch cited in the complaint was not available at the outlet during the inspection. However, FDA officials seized 11.34 kg of kaju katli, valued at Rs 10,238, from a related batch and sent the samples for laboratory analysis.
The laboratory results will determine whether further regulatory action is warranted. The seizure does not, by itself, establish that the product was contaminated.
Dairy Products Seized
}The two cases come amid a special drive by the Maharashtra FDA against adulteration in milk and dairy products.
As part of the enforcement drive, the regulator confiscated nearly 14,378 kg or litres of dairy products valued at Rs 93.26 lakh.
The separate actions against Blinkit and Reliance Retail underline the FDA’s ongoing enforcement efforts around food hygiene, storage practices and product safety across Maharashtra.
