Zepto and Blinkit are facing food safety action after inspections in Bengaluru and Mumbai found alleged hygiene, storage and pest-control violations.
Quick-commerce platforms Zepto and Blinkit have come under scrutiny after food safety officials found alleged hygiene, storage and food-handling violations at facilities in Bengaluru and Mumbai.
A Zepto warehouse in Bengaluru was sealed, while Blinkit’s Malad West facility in Mumbai faced licence suspension. The actions came after inspections found issues including unhygienic storage, improper handling and a large-scale cockroach infestation.
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What happened at the Zepto warehouse?
Karnataka food safety officials sealed a Zepto warehouse at the Nippon Express facility in Hoskote taluk, Bengaluru, following an inspection.
Officials reportedly found unhygienic food handling and storage conditions, along with issues involving labelling, misbranding and food-handling practices.
The inspection covered food quality, safety, storage, labelling and handling under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The warehouse was sealed under applicable food safety provisions. Officials also issued a notice and recommended further proceedings before the concerned Adjudicating Officer.
Zepto said it cooperated with the inspection and was taking steps to address the observations made by authorities.
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What happened at Blinkit’s Mumbai facility?
In Mumbai, Maharashtra food safety authorities suspended the licence of Blink Commerce Pvt Ltd, which operates Blinkit, for its Malad West facility.
Officials reportedly found large-scale cockroach infestation, improperly stored food and expired or tampered products.
Food items were found stored on rusted racks, while cold-storage areas were reportedly not adequately clean. Expired or spoiled packaged food was also found during the inspection.
During the licence suspension, the facility has been prohibited from selling or distributing food or conducting food business activities.
Why are quick-commerce platforms under scrutiny?
The action comes amid increased attention on food safety at warehouses and dark stores used by quick-commerce companies.
These facilities store a wide range of packaged food and other consumable products before they are delivered to customers. Authorities have therefore been checking areas including storage conditions, pest control, labelling, expiry management and hygiene.
The recent inspections highlight the importance of maintaining food safety standards not only at restaurants and traditional retailers but also across rapid-delivery supply chains.
Indira Canteen also sealed in Bengaluru
Karnataka officials also inspected three Indira Canteens in Gottigere, Singasandra and Lingarajapuram.
The inspections found alleged violations involving labelling and misbranding, among other food safety issues.
The Gottigere canteen was sealed, while notices were issued to all three outlets.
Officials collected samples of pulses, turmeric powder, cooking oil, jaggery, salt, sugar and prepared food for laboratory testing.
Reliance Retail outlet faces action over kaju katli complaint
The food safety scrutiny has also extended to a Reliance Retail outlet in Maharashtra's Buldhana district.
Officials inspected the outlet after a complaint alleging that live larvae had been found in packaged Laxmi Narayan brand kaju katli.
The particular batch mentioned in the complaint was no longer available when officials inspected the store. A sample from another available batch was collected and sent to an authorised laboratory for testing.
Officials also seized 54 boxes from the available stock, weighing 11.340 kg. The reported value in the supplied copy is ₹10,238, but that figure appears inconsistent with the quantity and should be verified before publication.
What food safety measures are authorities stressing?
Karnataka food safety officials have advised food businesses to:
Maintain proper hygiene and storage conditions
- Control pests
- Prevent cross-contamination
- Dispose of expired food safely
- Dispose of used cooking oil properly
- Follow food labelling and storage requirements
Authorities have also warned that businesses violating food safety regulations could face legal action.
What this means for consumers
The inspections put the spotlight on food safety standards across quick-commerce warehouses and other food-handling facilities.
For consumers, the key concerns include how food is stored before delivery, whether products are within their expiry dates, whether packaging is intact and whether facilities maintain adequate hygiene and pest control.
The regulatory action does not by itself establish that all products sold by Zepto, Blinkit or other quick-commerce platforms are unsafe. The actions reported here relate to specific facilities and the violations identified during inspections.
Published: 12 Aug 2026, 09:26 am IST
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