India’s booming quick commerce sector is facing heightened scrutiny as the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food business license of a Blinkit dark store in Pune’s Balewadi area. The drastic action comes after an inspection revealed the facility was operating without a mandatory food safety license and was riddled with multiple hygiene and storage violations, raising serious concerns about consumer safety.
The dark store, operated by M/s Energy Darkstore Services, a last-mile warehousing partner for Blinkit, was inspected on June 5, 2025, following a customer complaint regarding food safety standards. FDA officials found the warehouse actively storing and distributing packaged food items, some in bulk, despite lacking the required license under Section 31(1) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The inspection report detailed a litany of alarming lapses, including:
- Operating Without a License: The most critical violation was the absence of a valid food safety license, a prerequisite for any food business operator in India.
- Unhygienic Storage Conditions: Food items were found placed directly on the floor, and storage racks were dusty, indicating poor sanitation practices.
- Lack of Pest Control Certification: The facility could not provide a valid pest control audit certificate, raising concerns about potential infestations.
- No Protective Gear for Workers: Staff handling food were not wearing essential protective gear like headgear, and there were no records of food safety inspection or hygiene training for the employees.
- Uncalibrated Cold Storage Units: Cold storage units, crucial for maintaining the quality and safety of perishable goods like milk and fruits, lacked calibration documentation.
- No Traceability of Food Items: The absence of proper documentation meant there was no clear traceability for the distributed food products.
The Joint Commissioner (Food) has ordered the immediate cessation of all food-related operations at the dark store until a valid license is obtained, warning of stringent legal action for non-compliance. This move highlights a broader crackdown by the Maharashtra FDA on quick commerce dark stores across the state.
This incident follows closely on the heels of similar action taken against Zepto’s Dharavi facility in Mumbai barely a week ago, where inspectors found fungal growth on food items, storage near stagnant water, unclean floors, improperly segregated expired products, and inadequate cold storage temperatures.
The actions against both Blinkit and Zepto underscore the growing regulatory pressure on quick commerce platforms to ensure that their rapid delivery models do not compromise on fundamental food safety and hygiene standards. With quick commerce user bases rapidly expanding, authorities are signaling that public health and safety will not be sacrificed in the race for faster deliveries. The Maharashtra FDA has stated that all dark stores in Pune city are now under its surveillance, indicating a continued focus on these facilities to ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
Key Highlights:
- The Maharashtra FDA has suspended the food business license of a Blinkit dark store in Pune’s Balewadi due to operating without a mandatory food safety license.
- The inspection revealed multiple food safety violations, including unhygienic storage (food on floor, dusty racks), lack of pest control certificates, workers without protective gear, and uncalibrated cold storage units.
- This action is part of a broader crackdown by the Maharashtra FDA on quick commerce dark stores, following a similar suspension of Zepto’s Dharavi facility for hygiene and safety breaches.
- The move signals increased regulatory scrutiny on quick commerce platforms to prioritize food safety and hygiene as their operations expand.