FDA suspends license of Zepto's parent company to operate Dharavi store after safety violations
MUMBAI: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food business license of one of the warehouses of Kiranakart Technologies Pvt. Ltd., the parent company of quick-commerce platform Zepto.
This was after serious food safety violations at its Dharavi facility.
The suspension was issued after an inspection conducted by FDA officials on Saturday revealed multiple breaches of food safety standards.
Inspectors found fungal growth on food items, storage of food near stagnant water, and the presence of expired products. Some food items were allegedly stored directly on wet and unhygienic floors, and cold storage units reportedly failed to meet prescribed safety norms.
The inspection was carried out on the directive of Yogesh Kadam, Minister of State for Food and Drug Administration.
Following the inspection, assistant commissioner (Food) Anupamaa Patil issued the suspension order under Section 32(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and Regulation 2.1.8(4) of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.
FDA officials stated that the license suspension will remain in effect until the company fully complies with the food safety norms and receives clearance from the licensing authority.
TOI attempted to reach out to Zepto, but company representatives were unavailable for comment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Concerns rise over hygiene standards in dark stores amid quick commerce boom
Several packaged food companies have raised complaints about shoddy and unhygienic conditions in some dark stores from which quick commerce companies despatch purchases to consumers. Nearly a dozen have written to the platforms in the last two-three months, raising urgent concerns about lapses in storage and handling at the stores, citing specific violations. Dark stores are large warehouses that stock products for quick delivery. This comes as government authorities, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), are stepping up surprise inspections and audits at the thousands of dark stores mushrooming all over the country. Many of the companies did not want to be identified while confirming that they'd made complaints. 'We supply the freshest stock to our quick commerce partners complying to more than 70% shelf life and temperature guidance on categories like cheese,' said Varun Berry, managing director of biscuits, bakery and dairy maker Britannia Industries . 'Beyond this point we expect them to ensure best hygiene practices and FMFO (First Manufacturing First Out) in the last-mile delivery. With rapid expansion, we will need to work very closely with them to ensure no slip-ups happen. Companies making daily essentials, staples and premium grocery products have been reporting swift growth on quick commerce platforms compared with neighbourhood stores or modern trade. The pace of growth ranged from 50% to 100% in FY25. A senior executive at a large frozen foods company said odour transfer was one of the issues that had to be addressed. 'We noticed that agarbatti sticks were being stored close to our frozen snack packs at the dark stores of a large platform. This runs the risk of migration of odour, so we immediately asked them to rectify the storage,' said a senior executive at a large frozen foods company. 'Ultimately, it's our brand that's the direct consumer interface and we can't let that suffer. Various large companies such as HUL , ITC , Britannia, Tata Consumer Products , PepsiCo, Amul, Parle Products, Coca-Cola, Mother Dairy and KRBL have also been introducing exclusive premium packs of teas, ice-creams, cookies, snacks, frozen foods and staples for sale only on quick commerce channels. 'We've asked all the platforms to urgently step up routine audits on their own,' said Vikram Agarwal, managing director of Cornitos snacks maker Greendot Health Foods, which gets nearly 20% of its annual sales from quick commerce platforms now. 'The matter is even more concerning in case of franchised dark stores.' Earlier this week, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suspended the food business licence of a Zepto dark store in Dharavi after discovering safety and hygiene violations such as fungal contamination and unsanitary storage conditions during an inspection. 'Hygiene protocols are nonnegotiable, and consumer trust remains sacrosanct, regardless of how or where the product is purchased,' said Kunal Sharma, head of marketing and business head, modern trade and ecommerce at the listed KRBL Ltd, which makes India Gate basmati rice. 'All platforms and partners must maintain rigorous hygiene and safety standards, and regulatory guidance from the FDA and FSSAI play a vital role in reinforcing these benchmarks.' FSSAI has stepped up audits at dark stores across cities, including the metros, tier-2 and smaller markets. 'As quick commerce revolutionises last-mile delivery, it brings new challenges where cold chain integrity and hygienic handling are absolutely non-negotiable,' said Srideep Kesavan, chief executive at Heritage Foods , which makes dairy products such as milk, flavoured milk and butter. 'Dark stores, which anchor this model, must reflect the standards consumers expect; strengthening hygiene protocols in quick commerce is essential to safeguard consumer trust.' Swiggy Instamart, Zepto and Blinkit did not respond to queries.
Economic Times
13 hours ago
- Economic Times
Concerns rise over hygiene standards in dark stores amid quick commerce boom
Several packaged food companies have raised complaints about shoddy and unhygienic conditions in some dark stores from which quick commerce companies despatch purchases to consumers. Nearly a dozen have written to the platforms in the last two-three months, raising urgent concerns about lapses in storage and handling at the stores, citing specific violations. Dark stores are large warehouses that stock products for quick delivery. This comes as government authorities, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), are stepping up surprise inspections and audits at the thousands of dark stores mushrooming all over the country. Many of the companies did not want to be identified while confirming that they'd made complaints. 'We supply the freshest stock to our quick commerce partners complying to more than 70% shelf life and temperature guidance on categories like cheese,' said Varun Berry, managing director of biscuits, bakery and dairy maker Britannia Industries. 'Beyond this point we expect them to ensure best hygiene practices and FMFO (First Manufacturing First Out) in the last-mile delivery. With rapid expansion, we will need to work very closely with them to ensure no slip-ups happen. Companies making daily essentials, staples and premium grocery products have been reporting swift growth on quick commerce platforms compared with neighbourhood stores or modern trade. The pace of growth ranged from 50% to 100% in FY25. A senior executive at a large frozen foods company said odour transfer was one of the issues that had to be addressed.'We noticed that agarbatti sticks were being stored close to our frozen snack packs at the dark stores of a large platform. This runs the risk of migration of odour, so we immediately asked them to rectify the storage,' said a senior executive at a large frozen foods company. 'Ultimately, it's our brand that's the direct consumer interface and we can't let that suffer. Various large companies such as HUL, ITC, Britannia, Tata Consumer Products, PepsiCo, Amul, Parle Products, Coca-Cola, Mother Dairy and KRBL have also been introducing exclusive premium packs of teas, ice-creams, cookies, snacks, frozen foods and staples for sale only on quick commerce channels.'We've asked all the platforms to urgently step up routine audits on their own,' said Vikram Agarwal, managing director of Cornitos snacks maker Greendot Health Foods, which gets nearly 20% of its annual sales from quick commerce platforms now. 'The matter is even more concerning in case of franchised dark stores.'Earlier this week, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suspended the food business licence of a Zepto dark store in Dharavi after discovering safety and hygiene violations such as fungal contamination and unsanitary storage conditions during an inspection.'Hygiene protocols are nonnegotiable, and consumer trust remains sacrosanct, regardless of how or where the product is purchased,' said Kunal Sharma, head of marketing and business head, modern trade and ecommerce at the listed KRBL Ltd, which makes India Gate basmati rice. 'All platforms and partners must maintain rigorous hygiene and safety standards, and regulatory guidance from the FDA and FSSAI play a vital role in reinforcing these benchmarks.' FSSAI has stepped up audits at dark stores across cities, including the metros, tier-2 and smaller markets. 'As quick commerce revolutionises last-mile delivery, it brings new challenges where cold chain integrity and hygienic handling are absolutely non-negotiable,' said Srideep Kesavan, chief executive at Heritage Foods, which makes dairy products such as milk, flavoured milk and butter. 'Dark stores, which anchor this model, must reflect the standards consumers expect; strengthening hygiene protocols in quick commerce is essential to safeguard consumer trust.' Swiggy Instamart, Zepto and Blinkit did not respond to queries.
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Time of India
Concerns rise over hygiene standards in dark stores amid quick commerce boom
Several packaged food companies have raised complaints about shoddy and unhygienic conditions in some dark stores from which quick commerce companies despatch purchases to consumers. Nearly a dozen have written to the platforms in the last two-three months, raising urgent concerns about lapses in storage and handling at the stores, citing specific violations. Dark stores are large warehouses that stock products for quick delivery. This comes as government authorities, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), are stepping up surprise inspections and audits at the thousands of dark stores mushrooming all over the country. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Knee Pain After 50? Try This Before Reaching for Pills Read More Undo Many of the companies did not want to be identified while confirming that they'd made complaints. 'We supply the freshest stock to our quick commerce partners complying to more than 70% shelf life and temperature guidance on categories like cheese,' said Varun Berry, managing director of biscuits, bakery and dairy maker Britannia Industries . 'Beyond this point we expect them to ensure best hygiene practices and FMFO (First Manufacturing First Out) in the last-mile delivery. With rapid expansion, we will need to work very closely with them to ensure no slip-ups happen. Live Events Companies making daily essentials, staples and premium grocery products have been reporting swift growth on quick commerce platforms compared with neighbourhood stores or modern trade. The pace of growth ranged from 50% to 100% in FY25. A senior executive at a large frozen foods company said odour transfer was one of the issues that had to be addressed. 'We noticed that agarbatti sticks were being stored close to our frozen snack packs at the dark stores of a large platform. This runs the risk of migration of odour, so we immediately asked them to rectify the storage,' said a senior executive at a large frozen foods company. 'Ultimately, it's our brand that's the direct consumer interface and we can't let that suffer. Various large companies such as HUL , ITC , Britannia, Tata Consumer Products , PepsiCo, Amul, Parle Products, Coca-Cola, Mother Dairy and KRBL have also been introducing exclusive premium packs of teas, ice-creams, cookies, snacks, frozen foods and staples for sale only on quick commerce channels. 'We've asked all the platforms to urgently step up routine audits on their own,' said Vikram Agarwal, managing director of Cornitos snacks maker Greendot Health Foods, which gets nearly 20% of its annual sales from quick commerce platforms now. 'The matter is even more concerning in case of franchised dark stores.' Earlier this week, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suspended the food business licence of a Zepto dark store in Dharavi after discovering safety and hygiene violations such as fungal contamination and unsanitary storage conditions during an inspection. 'Hygiene protocols are nonnegotiable, and consumer trust remains sacrosanct, regardless of how or where the product is purchased,' said Kunal Sharma, head of marketing and business head, modern trade and ecommerce at the listed KRBL Ltd, which makes India Gate basmati rice. 'All platforms and partners must maintain rigorous hygiene and safety standards, and regulatory guidance from the FDA and FSSAI play a vital role in reinforcing these benchmarks.' FSSAI has stepped up audits at dark stores across cities, including the metros, tier-2 and smaller markets. 'As quick commerce revolutionises last-mile delivery, it brings new challenges where cold chain integrity and hygienic handling are absolutely non-negotiable,' said Srideep Kesavan, chief executive at Heritage Foods , which makes dairy products such as milk, flavoured milk and butter. 'Dark stores, which anchor this model, must reflect the standards consumers expect; strengthening hygiene protocols in quick commerce is essential to safeguard consumer trust.' Swiggy Instamart, Zepto and Blinkit did not respond to queries.
