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India Gazette
3 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
Zepto's license suspended in Mumbai's Dharavi for food safety non-compliance
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 2 (ANI): The food business licence of quick-commerce firm Zepto in Dharavi in Mumbai, has been suspended by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for non-compliances with food safety standards. Based on information received from Minister of State for Food and Drug Administration, Yogesh Kadam, and under the guidance of Mangesh Mane, Joint Commissioner (Food), an inspection was conducted at the premises of Kiranakart Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (Zepto), located in Dharavi, Mumbai, by Food Safety Officer Ram Bodke, the Maharashtra FDA said in a statement. The inspection revealed serious non-compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, it said. Key observations during the inspection included- Fungal growth observed on certain food articles; storage of products near clogged/stagnant water, indicating poor hygiene; cold storage temperatures not maintained as per regulatory standards; wet and filthy floors, with food items stored in a disorganised and unsanitary manner, including directly on the floor and expired food products found not clearly separated from non-expired stock. 'These findings constitute a failure to comply with the conditions of the license. Accordingly, Smt. Anupamaa Balasaheb Patil, Assistant Commissioner (Food), issued an order of 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,' FDA Maharashtra, Mumbai Division said in a statement. As per the statement, the suspension remains effective until the establishment achieves full compliance and receives approval from the licensing authority. The FDA Maharashtra assured the public that continues to uphold its commitment to ensuring public health through strict and transparent enforcement of food safety regulations. Faced with the suspension order, Zepto released a statement and said they 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 as soon as possible. We have already initiated an internal review and are working closely with the concerned authorities to ensure full and swift compliance,' the Zepto statement read. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Zepto says ‘taking corrective measures' after Maharashtra FDA suspends license in Dharavi over hygiene
Zepto on Monday said it is taking all necessary corrective measures to resume operations after Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suspended the food business license of Kiranakart Technologies Pvt. Ltd.—the parent company of the quick-commerce platform —for its Dharavi facility. The Maharashtra FDA suspended the food business license citing serious violations of food safety and hygiene norms. The action was taken after a surprise inspection on May 31 by food safety officer Ram Bodke, conducted under the direction of Minister of State for FDA Yogesh Kadam and supervision of Joint Commissioner (Food) Mangesh Mane. The inspection revealed multiple breaches of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Zepto released a statement on the matter and said, '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 as soon as possible. We have already initiated an internal review and are working closely with the concerned authorities to ensure full and swift compliance," Zepto added. According to the FDA's report, inspectors found several food items with visible fungal growth, while others were stored in proximity to stagnant, clogged water—raising the risk of pest infestation, as reported by Hindustan Times earlier. Cold storage units were not maintaining the prescribed temperatures, and the facility's floors were wet, dirty, and littered with food products stored directly on the ground. Food items that had crossed their expiry dates were also found mixed with fresh inventory, violating basic protocols of segregation and shelf-life management. 'These findings point to gross non-compliance with the conditions of the food business license and present a clear risk to public health,' the FDA had said in a statement.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Zepto raid fallout: FDA to inspect all quick commerce facilities
CHENNAI: Following the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) raid at the Dharavi outlet of Kiranakart Technologies Pvt Ltd, the parent company of the popular instant grocery delivery platform Zepto, and consequent suspension its food business license on the ground of violation of hygiene rules, the state FDA is planning to inspect the facilities of all quick commerce companies, including Blinkit and Instamart. The action against Zepto followed a detailed inspection conducted in its facilties in Mumbai on Saturday that uncovered multiple violations of food safety and hygiene regulations at the company's distribution centre. According to sources familiar with the development, Maharashtra health minister has already instructed the food and drug regulator go ahead with detailed inspections at the facilities of all food delivery companies in the state. The inspections at Zepto's Dharavi store and godowns were initiated by the Maharashtra FDA under the direct instructions of Minister of State for FDA, Yogesh Kadam. The operation was led by Food Safety Officer Ram Bodke and supervised by Mangesh Mane, Joint Commissioner, Food. The probe aimed to assess compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and related licensing regulations.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
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. 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." The spokesperson further said that the company will be rectifying the lapses identified. "We are taking all necessary corrective measures to resume operations in accordance with regulatory obligations and applicable laws at the earliest," the spokesperson said.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Fungus on items, stagnant water: Maharashtra FDA suspends food licence of Zepto's Dharavi outlet
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food business licence of the Dharavi outlet of Kiranakart Technologies Pvt Ltd, the parent company of Zepto, following an inspection on Saturday which revealed multiple violations of food safety norms at the distribution centre. The inspection was carried out by food safety officer Ram Bodke, based on directions from Minister of State for FDA Yogesh Kadam, and under the supervision of Mangesh Mane, Joint Commissioner, Food. The probe unearthed a slew of violations at the distribution centre under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the accompanying licensing regulations, the FDA claimed. Among the most serious findings included the alleged 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, according to the regulatory authority. The FDA also claimed that expired food products were kept alongside fresh stock, without clear separation. In response, Anupamaa Balasaheb Patil, Assistant Commissioner, Food, issued an immediate suspension order under section 32(3) of the Food Safety Act and Regulation 2.1.8(4) of the Licensing and Registration Rules. The order mandates that the facility cannot resume operations until it demonstrates full compliance and receives formal clearance from the licensing authority. An official statement from Zepto on the matter is awaited. The FDA said that the action is part of its ongoing crackdown on unsafe food practices. 'Public health cannot be compromised. We are committed to strict and transparent enforcement,' said Rajesh Narvekar, Commissioner, FDA. The licence will remain suspended until the Dharavi facility clears a follow-up inspection and receives formal reinstatement approval from the FDA. The FDA is the state's principal regulatory authority dedicated to ensuring the safety, quality, and compliance of food products, medicines, and cosmetics. Operating under the Department of Medical Education and Pharmaceuticals, it is responsible for implementing and enforcing various legislations pertaining to food safety and drugs.
