Mumbai: Cockroach-infested storage areas, expired food products, tampered packages and serious hygiene lapses were among the violations found by Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) during an inspection of a Blink Commerce facility here on Monday.

The FDA inspected the Blink Commerce Pvt Ltd establishment at Sarvodaya Bhuvan in Malad (West) on August 7 and found extensive cockroach infestation, improper storage of food and inadequate cleanliness in the cold storage area, officials said on Monday.

The inspection also revealed expired and damaged or tampered packaged food products and non-compliance with FIFO/FEFO (First-In, First-Out and First-Expired, First-Out) practices, according to the FDA.

A large cockroach infestation was specifically detected in the vegetable and fruit storage areas, creating a serious risk of food contamination, the regulator said. Expired and damaged or tampered packages were also found in the cold room.

The FDA further found inadequate pest and rodent control, shortcomings in waste management and maintenance, and the absence of medical examination and health records for food handlers. The facility also lacked necessary personal hygiene measures and protective equipment, it said.

The food safety watchdog suspended the establishment's food licence, bearing number 11524010000119, with immediate effect and until further orders under Section 32(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act and relevant regulations.

The establishment has also been barred from selling, distributing or conducting food business during the suspension period, the FDA said.

The action against the Blink Commerce facility was part of a wider enforcement drive by the Maharashtra FDA to strengthen compliance with food safety standards across the state under its new commissioner Tukaram Mundhe.

In a separate case, the FDA took action against a Reliance Retail Ltd outlet at ARD Cinemall in Buldhana district following a complaint that live larvae were found in 'Laxmi Narayan' brand packaged 'kaju katli'.

A prompt inspection found that the batch mentioned in the complaint, manufactured on May 29 and due to expire on August 29, was no longer available at the outlet. However, another batch manufactured on July 20 and valid until October 20 was found at the store.

The FDA collected a sample from the available batch and seized 54 boxes weighing 11.340 kg and valued at Rs 10,238.

The sample has been sent to an authorised food laboratory for analysis, the FDA said. Further legal action will be initiated under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, based on the laboratory report.