Maharashtra FDA suspends Blinkit, 2 Mumbai eateries’ food licences over serious hygiene violations

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food licences of quick-commerce platform Blinkit’s centre in Akola and two eateries in Mumbai following inspections that found serious hygiene and food safety violations, officials said on Tuesday.

The FDA conducted surprise inspections at Delhi Sweet and Bhelpuri House in Malad, Gulzar Mohammadi Hotel in Kurla and a Blinkit facility in Akola. The inspections found food stored near dirty drains, uncertified food handlers, cockroach infestation and failure to comply with earlier improvement notices, according to the agency.

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At Delhi Sweet and Bhelpuri House in Malad, officials found the establishment using unfiltered tap water for cooking and drinking without the required water-testing reports, the FDA said in a release.

The premises was also found producing and repacking products such as lassi, sweets, paneer and farsan despite holding a licence only under Category 16 (Prepared Foods).

The FDA seized unlabelled paneer and lassi without expiry dates from the premises. Of the 36 food handlers, 26 did not have mandatory medical certificates. Some workers were also found handling food with unbandaged burns and untrimmed nails, the agency said.

The FDA also suspended the food registration certificate of Gulzar Mohammadi Hotel in Kurla West following an inspection conducted on August 27. The establishment scored 24 out of 88 marks, or 28%, during the inspection.

The inspection found severe unhygienic conditions, cockroach infestation, contaminated food, improper drainage and a lack of required water-testing reports, according to the FDA.

The hotel has been prohibited from producing, storing, selling or distributing food during the suspension period, the agency said.

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In Akola, the FDA suspended the state food licence of a Blinkit centre after a re-inspection found that several deficiencies cited in an earlier improvement notice had not been rectified. These included poor storage conditions and unsuitable racks, among other violations.

The action followed a hearing held on August 31, after which the Blinkit centre's licence was suspended until further orders for non-compliance with food safety requirements.

FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said the administration would take stringent legal action against those compromising food quality and public health.

The action comes as food safety authorities continue to inspect food businesses and take enforcement measures against establishments found violating food safety requirements.