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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Maharashtra FDA orders closure of Blinkit dark store amid licence issues
Blinkit's Balewadi dark store ordered closed by Maharashtra FDA for lack of food licence and unhygienic conditions amid rising scrutiny of quick commerce platforms Sharleen Dsouza New Delhi & Mumbai Amid rising scrutiny of food safety standards maintained by quick commerce platforms, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered Blinkit to shut down its Balewadi dark store in Pune, as the company has been operating it without a licence. Speaking to Business Standard, Suresh Annapurna, joint commissioner at Maharashtra FDA, Pune region, said, 'Blinkit had submitted some documents and we had asked them to modify some documents and submit them again.' He added that the company has been sent a letter asking them not to operate the dark store until the documents are submitted and a licence is granted. The FDA officials found that the dark store was storing, distributing and selling food items without the licence required under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. The facility not only lacked a licence but also operated in unhygienic conditions, violating food safety standards. Business Standard reached out to Blinkit, but the platform had not issued an official statement by press time. The development comes just a week after the same authority suspended the food business licence of quick commerce unicorn Zepto in Dharavi, Mumbai, citing non-compliance with food safety standards. During an inspection, the agency found fungal growth on food items, poor cold storage maintenance, no separation of expired stock, food stored on the floor, dirty and wet conditions, and items kept near stagnant water.
Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Are steroids, protein powders building muscle but damaging your hip bone? What young gym goers need to know
Can arbitrary use of gym steroids and protein powders damage the hip bone permanently? Orthopaedic experts are seeing hip bone damage and degeneration of the kind associated with the elderly among young people in their 20s, who may be picking up performance enhancers from gyms. Recently, the Maharashtra FDA also launched statewide checks on protein powders after several brands were found to be spiked with performance-enhancing steroids, many of which are freely available online or at gyms without proper labelling or approvals. According to Dr Gaurav Prakash Bhardwaj, Director, Sports Injury, Joint Preservation and Replacement Surgery, PSRI hospital, 'Steroid use is one of the most well-documented causes of Avascular Necrosis (AVN), a condition where bone tissue dies because of lack of blood supply. When taken in high doses or over a long period, especially without medical need, steroids can interfere with the blood supply to the bone.' There has been a noticeable rise in hip-related complaints among young individuals, especially those in their 20s and early 30s. They report persistent pain in the hip joint, difficulty walking, or stiffness, all linked to unsupervised gym workouts and supplement use. Abuse of steroids can also impact liver and cardiovascular health. Earlier, AVN was considered relatively rare in this group, but in recent years, we are seeing around 3 to 5 cases per month in some urban hospitals alone. This number may vary depending on the location, but overall, there is a clear upward trend. Many patients are unaware that their symptoms could point to a serious condition until the damage becomes severe. Medication can slow down degeneration, surgery is the last resort. Steroid use is one of the most well-documented causes of AVN. When taken in high doses or over a long period, especially without medical need, steroids can build up fat levels in the blood and bone marrow, obstructing blood vessels and interfering with blood supply to the bone. This eventually leads to bone tissue death and collapse of the hip joint. Similarly, excessive alcohol intake damages blood vessels and can also reduce blood flow to the hip, triggering AVN. The most affected age group is between 20 and 35 years. These are mostly fitness-conscious individuals who engage in intense workouts and are influenced by social media trends or body-building goals. Unfortunately, they are using steroids or unregulated protein supplements without medical supervision. We should regulate the supplement market, build gym hygiene with fitness trainers and insist on basic bone screening of gym goers.
Indian Express
15-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Steroids, protein powders behind alarming rise in hip damage among urban youth, warn experts
A group of orthopaedic experts have raised a serious public health concern, stating that the misuse of steroids and unregulated protein powders is severely damaging the hips of young gym-going individuals in their 20s. This warning came during the 'Delhi Hip 360' conference held in the national capital, where orthopaedic specialists highlighted the alarming rise in cases of Avascular Necrosis (AVN) and early hip degeneration in youth, conditions traditionally seen in older adults. Dr L Tomar, the organising chairman of the conference, said, 'We are observing a significant surge in hip-related complaints among young patients in recent years. Every week in my OPD, I see two to three patients under the age of 30, many in their early 20s, complaining of persistent hip pain.' 'Investigations often reveal Avascular Necrosis (AVN), a condition where blood supply to the hip bone is compromised, leading to bone death. In over 70% of these cases, there is a history of anabolic steroid use or excessive consumption of unverified protein powders,' said Dr Tomar, who is the unit head of orthopaedics and joint replacement at Max Hospital, Delhi. Recent studies have indicated a rise in hip issues among youth and how alcohol and steroid use were key contributors to AVN among young adults, he said. More recently, the Maharashtra FDA launched statewide checks on protein powders after several brands were found to be spiked with performance-enhancing steroids, many of which are freely available online or at gyms without proper labelling or approvals. Youth, especially those chasing rapid physical transformation, are unknowingly damaging their bone health, particularly the femoral head of the hip joint, which is uniquely sensitive to blood flow changes, Dr Tomar pointed out. There is a thriving underground online market for performance-enhancing drugs and muscle-building supplements in India. Dr Rajiv Jain, senior orthopaedic surgeon, said that steroids, especially when misused or consumed unsupervised, directly impact the blood supply to the bones. 'It (AVN) begins with pain, stiffness, and limping and in many cases, leads to complete collapse of the hip joint. Hip replacements are required for patients whose condition can be treated using medications,' Dr Jain stated. The condition, AVN, is not only painful but also often irreversible if not diagnosed early. In extreme cases, the only treatment is total hip replacement, a complex procedure typically meant for older patients. Orthopaedic experts say this is becoming disturbingly common in India's urban youth. Another observation presented by orthopaedic researchers at the conference revealed that over 30 per cent of AVN cases seen in Delhi's tertiary hospitals over the past three years involved patients under 35, and most had a history of either steroid injection, oral steroid abuse or supplement misuse. Dr Sharad Agarwal, scientific chairman of the conference and senior orthopaedic surgeon, said that fitness has become a booming industry in India, but without proper regulation and education. 'What they don't realise is that behind that muscle, their bones might be silently deteriorating. We urgently need awareness drives, regulation of supplement markets, and basic orthopaedic screening at gyms,' Dr Agarwal said. Doctors have urged fitness trainers, influencers and gym owners to educate their clients about the risks of shortcuts like steroid cycles and unverified protein supplements.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Experts: Steroids, protein powders behind rise in hip damage among urban youth
New Delhi: Group of orthopaedic experts have raised a serious public health concern, stating the misuse of steroids and unregulated protein powders is severely damaging the hips of young gym-going individuals in their 20s. This warning came during the 'Delhi Hip 360' conference held in the national capital, where orthopaedic specialists highlighted the alarming rise in cases of Avascular Necrosis (AVN) and early hip degeneration in youth, conditions traditionally seen in older adults. Dr L Tomar, the organising chairman of the conference, said, "We are observing a significant surge in hip-related complaints among young patients in recent years. Every week in my OPD, I see two to three patients under the age of 30, many in their early 20s, complaining of persistent hip pain." " Investigations often reveal Avascular Necrosis (AVN), a condition where blood supply to the hip bone is compromised, leading to bone death. In over 70 per cent of these cases, there is a history of anabolic steroid use or excessive consumption of unverified protein powders," said Dr Tomar, who is the unit head of orthopaedics and joint replacement at Max Hospital, Delhi. Recent studies have indicated a rise in hip issues among youth and how alcohol and steroid use were key contributors to AVN among young adults, he said. More recently, the Maharashtra FDA launched statewide checks on protein powders after several brands were found to be spiked with performance-enhancing steroids, many of which are freely available online or at gyms without proper labelling or approvals. Youth, especially those chasing rapid physical transformation, are unknowingly damaging their bone health, particularly the femoral head of the hip joint, which is uniquely sensitive to blood flow changes, Dr Tomar pointed out. There is a thriving underground online market for performance-enhancing drugs and muscle-building supplements in India. Dr Rajiv Jain, senior orthopaedic surgeon, said steroids when or consumed unsupervised, directly impact the blood supply to the bones.
