Latest news with #LicensingandRegistrationofFoodBusinesses)Regulations
India.com
5 days ago
- Business
- India.com
Bad news for Deepinder Goyal as Maharashtra govt takes big decision on Blinkit, Zepto after..., says will continue to...
(File) In more trouble for quick commerce majors Zepto and Blinkit amid the controversy surrounding their dark stores in Maharashtra, the state government has announced that it would continue regular inspections of these units to ensure cleanliness and other mandatory standards are being followed. The development comes after the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered the closure of dark stores of both Zepto and Blinkit in early June for allegedly violating hygiene standards. The state suspended the food license of a Zepto dark store in Dharavi, while a similar facility of Blinkit was shuttered in Pune. Why FDA took action against Zepto and Blinkit? Last month, based on a consumer complaint, the Maharashtra raided a Blinkit dark store, run by Darkstore Services near Mitcon College in Pune's Balewadi area, and found that the facility was operating without a food safety license, in violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Apart from lack of a license, several other gross violations of hygiene standards were found during the FDA inspections, such as pieces of food items lying on the floor, workers handling consumables without headgear, etc. Following the revelation, the Joint Commissioner (Food) ordered the store operator to immediately halt all food- related activities until it obtains a valid food license from authorities. In Zepto's case, the FDA cancelled the license of its Dharavi facility for non-compliance with food standards. As per the FDA, Zepto's Dharavi dark store was shuttered for violating several regulations, including Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, according to a report by NDTV Profit. According to the agency, gross violations of food standards norms were found at Zepto's Dharavi facility, including fungal growth in certain food articles, and food products stores near stagnant water, which indicated poor hygiene as cold storage rules were flouted. The inspection also discovered the facility's floors were wet and filthy, and food items were stored in a disorganized and unsanitary manner, including directly on the floor. The state FDA had also found norms violations during inspections at Zepto facilities in Bhiwandi, Bandra West and Borivali. What happened to these stores after FDA action? According to Moneycontrol report, the Zepto and Blinkit have reopened their dark stores after acquiring the necessary permissions from authorities. 'Blinkit and Zepto have made the necessary changes. We had sent them a letter clearly stating that all their stores should follow the cleanliness and rules. They have assured us that these rules are now being followed completely. However, we are constantly checking whether everything is being implemented properly or not,' the report quoted Maharashtra's Minister of State for Food and Civil Supplies Yogesh Kadam as saying.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Mumbai MLA hostel caterer's licence suspended after 'stale' food claim by legislator
Mumbai: The Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has suspended the licence of a caterer that operates the canteen at the MLA hostel in Mumbai, where a staffer was assaulted by a Shiv Sena legislator for allegedly serving stale food. The FDA, in its suspension order on Wednesday evening, stated the contractor (Ajanta Caterers) had violated provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011. The violations were found during an inspection conducted at the Akashwani MLA hostel earlier on Wednesday, said the regulator. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cardiologist Reveals: The Simple Morning Habit for a Flatter Belly After 50! Lulutox Undo The FDA's order directed Ajanta Caterers to cease food service operations at the hostel premises starting Thursday. The action comes after ruling Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad slapped and punched an employee at the MLAs' hostel canteen for serving "stale food". Live Events The MLA from Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led party said he had repeatedly raised concerns about the quality of food served in the canteen but no corrective action was taken. "I had complained several times about the food served in the canteen but the situation remained unchanged," Gaikwad claimed. Viral video footage showing the Buldhana MLA slapping and punching an employee at the MLAs' hostel canteen for serving "stale food" has drawn widespread condemnation from government and opposition, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis denouncing the act. The CM said such behaviour sends a "wrong message" about legislators misusing their power. The widely circulated video shows Gaikwad, wearing a vest and a towel, confronting the canteen contractor and forcing him to smell a packet of dal before slapping and punching him. Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena president Eknath Shinde said if something wrong is happening, there could be legal action, but beating up people is inappropriate.
India.com
01-06-2025
- Business
- India.com
Bad news for Zepto as Maharashtra FDA cancels license of.., due to...
(File) In fresh trouble for Zepto, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched a crackdown on its operations across Mumbai, and cancelled the license of its Dharavi facility for non-compliance with food standards. As per the FDA, Zepto's Dharavi facility was shuttered for violating several regulations, including Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, according to a report by NDTV Profit. Maharashtra FDA cracks down on Zepto The state FDA had also found norms violations during inspections at Zepto facilities in Bhiwandi, Bandra West and Borivali. The authority sent notices to the Bhiwandi and Bandra East facilities, and suspended the food business license of the Borivali location, due to which the quick commerce firm was prompted to implement corrective measures and was allowed to restart operations, report said, quoting an FDA official. Gross violations found at Zepto's Dharavi facility According to the agency, gross violations of food standards norms were found at Zepto's Dharavi facility, including fungal growth in certain food articles, and food products stores near stagnant water, which indicated poor hygiene as cold storage rules were flouted. The inspection also discovered the facility's floors were wet and filthy, and food items were stored in a disorganized and unsanitary manner, including directly on the floor. The agency also found that expired products were mixed with non-expired stock. Zepto's Dharavi license suspended As per the NDTV report, the agency conducted the inspection based on on information received from Minister of State for FDA Yogesh Kadam, and cancelled the facility's license after its findings discovered norms violations. Additionally, Assistant Commissioner (Food), Anupamaa Balasaheb Patil, has ordered an immediate suspension under Section 32(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and Regulation 2.1.8(4) of the Licensing and Registration Regulations, 2011. As per the order, the suspension would remain in effect until Zepto achieves full compliance and receives approval from the licensing authority, the report said. Responding to the development, a Zepto spokesperson asserted the quick commerce company is dedicated to ' maintaining the highest standards of food safety and hygiene', and added that the firm has initiated an internal review, and is working closely with concerned agencies 'to ensure full and swift compliance.'
