Latest news with #SureshAnnapure
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Quick commerce dark stores in Pune under state FDA scanner
Pune: A few days after Maharashtra FDA suspended quick commerce player Blinkit's food licence in the Balewadi area due to regulatory non-compliance, the authority instructed food safety officers (FSOs) in the city to aggressively crack down on dark stores that are flouting food safety compliance norms. A dark store is a retail location that functions solely as a fulfilment centre for online orders. Thestate Foodand Drug Administration(FDA) will conduct random inspections of all the quick-commerce dark stores across the city to check for licences and hygiene at these units. "We are gathering a list of all dark stores in the city. Our FSOs will conduct random inspections at these unitsto thoroughly check documentationand hygiene practices. We will take stringent measures such as suspension or cancellation of licences if any stores are found to be non-compliant," said Suresh Annapure, joint commissioner (Food) of FDA, Pune region. During inspections, food safety officerswill take into account Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which outlines general hygienic and sanitary practices for food business operators (FBOs). The schedule sets standards for general hygiene, registration, licencing, food handling practices, and condition of the premises. During an inspection on June 5, the state FDA found that Energy Darkstore Services, which operates as a Blinkit franchise, was running without a valid licence, and the facility had multiple compliance issues. The authority then ordered the immediate closure of the dark store. This follows a recent inspection conducted by the Maharashtra FDA at Zepto's dark house in Dharavi, Mumbai, revealed serious non-compliance issues such as fungal growth on certain food articles, storage of products near stagnant water, wet/filthy floors, and cold storage issues. "Most of the dark stores operated by quick commerce players are under a franchise model. If these stores are found in violation, they will have to stop business. However, the quick commerce player can continue business in other areas where dark stores are complying with regulations," clarified a senior FDA official. Blinkit did not comment on the developments. A Zepto spokesperson said, "Zepto complies with all FSSAI norms and maintains strict quality controls across our dark stores. We fully support efforts that promote food safety and are working closely with authorities to address any concerns and further strengthen our processes." These incidents have left quick-commerce customers feeling uneasy. "I order at least twice a day fromthese platforms. It is shocking to see pictures of dirty storage facilities and unhygienic storage racks. I might go back to ordering from my vegetable vendor down the road," said Gayatri Doshi, a resident of Pashan. Neeraj Kamdar, a resident of Hadapsar, said, "I am shocked to hear about the condition of the storage facilities. I am glad that authorities are taking up the issue. Customers are unaware ofwhat ishappening at the backend. There need to be stricter norms governing quick-commerce."
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
FDA issues stop business notice to Blinkit's dark store for operating sans FSSAI license
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a stop business notice to a dark store in Baner-Balewadi associated with quick grocery delivery service Blinkit. The dark store was reportedly operating sans the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) license, said officials. The notice was issued on June 5 to Energy Darkstore Services, one of Blinkit's last-mile warehousing and partners. The dark store a month back had applied for an FSSAI license. The FDA Pune officials had put the license approval on hold due to incomplete documents. Even after one month, Energy Darkstore Services did not reach out to the food authority to complete the process. Following this, the FDA officials visited the warehouse and found the facility operating sans licence. Suresh Annapure, joint commissioner, Pune region, said, 'A notice to stop business till the license is received has been issued to the dark store which was found operating sans necessary license as mandated by the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.' 'No food business operator can operate without an FSSAI license in the country. The dark store has been asked to complete the compliance and documentation on priority to get the license. After which a reinspection will be conducted by us, only after which the license will be issued,' added Annapure. As per officials, during the visit, the facility was found distributing packaged food items and bulk storage racks. The store was operating with compromised sanitary and hygiene conditions with food debris and employees not covering their hair while storing and handling food items, they said. The unit had around 50 employees and had cold storage units for milk, milk products and fruits, they said. On May 31 the FDA suspended the food business license of Kiranakart Technologies Pvt. Ltd.—the parent company of quick-commerce platform Zepto—for its Dharavi facility, citing serious violations of food safety and hygiene norms.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
After Zepto, FDA shuts Blinkit Pune store for no licence, improper storage
Days after suspending quick-commerce player Zepto's food business licence in Mumbai's Dharavi, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered the closure of a Blinkit dark store in Pune's Baner-Balewadi area for allegedly operating without a valid licence, The Indian Express reported on Monday. According to the report, the facility — run by Energy Darkstore Services, a Blinkit partner — was inspected on 5 June. During the inspection, Maharashtra FDA officials also identified improper food storage conditions. 'We have asked for proper documents to be submitted in order to issue a licence. There are non-compliance issues, and without permission, they have been operating the store in the Baner-Balewadi area,' Suresh Annapure, joint commissioner, FDA, Pune, told The Indian Express. Annapure said the facility has been asked to file a compliance report following which there will be a re-inspection. Moreover, Food Safety Officer Laxmikant Sawale said that action was taken following violations of Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which outlines basic hygiene and sanitary practices food business operators are required to follow, the report added. Blinkit is not the only quick commerce platform facing the heat from the FDA. FDA crackdown on Zepto Earlier this month, the Maharashtra FDA suspended the food business licence of quick commerce unicorn Zepto in Dharavi, Mumbai, citing non-compliance with food safety standards. During the raid, authorities found several food safety violations at a Zepto facility, including included fungal growth on some food items, inadequate cold storage temperature control, improper segregation between expired and valid stock, food stored directly on the floor, wet and unclean flooring, and the presence of stagnant water near stored food products. 'The findings constitute a failure to comply with the conditions of the licence,' the FDA said. In response to Business Standard's queries about the same, a Zepto spokesperson said, 'At Zepto, maintaining the highest standards of food safety and hygiene is non-negotiable. We have already initiated an internal review and are working closely with the concerned authorities to ensure full and swift compliance. We are committed to rectifying the lapses identified and strengthening our processes to provide the best and safest quality of products to our consumers. We are taking all necessary corrective measures to resume operations in accordance with regulatory obligations and applicable laws at the earliest.'
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
After Zepto in Mumbai, Blinkit in Pune faces action; FDA orders closure of dark store at Baner-Balewadi
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week ordered the closure of a dark store associated with quick grocery delivery service Blinkit in Pune's Baner-Balewadi area for allegedly operating without a licence. Suresh Annapure, Joint Commissioner, FDA, Pune, told The Indian Express that the action was taken on June 5 when an inspection team found improper storage conditions at the facility run by Energy Darkstore Services, one of Blinkit's last-mile warehousing and partners. 'We have asked for proper documents to be submitted to issue a license. There are non-compliance issues, and without permission, they have been operating the store in the Baner-Balewadi area,' Annapure said. Sources said several issues were identified, including poor cleanliness and improper cold storage. Food Safety Officer Laxmikant Sawale said the action was taken after the raid revealed a lack of compliance with Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which details the general hygienic and sanitary practices that food business operators must adhere to. 'We have directed them to submit a compliance report and then there will be a re-inspection,' Annapure said. The FDA's action is part of its ongoing crackdown on unsafe food storage practices across the state. Earlier this month, it suspended the food business licence of quick-commerce firm Zepto's parent company Kiranakart Technologies due to lapses found at at its dark store in Mumbai's Dharavi. The inspection was conducted by Food Safety Officer Ram Bodke, following instructions from Minister of State for FDA Yogesh Kadam and under the supervision of Mangesh Mane, Joint Commissioner of Food. The investigation revealed numerous violations of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, as well as the related licensing regulations, according to the FDA. Visible fungal growth on food items, stagnant and clogged water near storage areas, which indicated poor sanitation, improper cold storage with temperatures not maintained as per norms, and wet, unclean floors and food products stored haphazardly, including directly on the ground, were some of the findings of the regulator.
