Blinkit dark store in Mumbai loses food licence over safety violations; Maharashtra FDA's wider compliance drive also hit Pune warehouse

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food licence of a Blinkit-operated dark store in Mumbai due to serious hygiene violations discovered during an inspection on August 7. The facility, located at Sarvodaya Bhuvan in Malad West, was found in extremely unhygienic condition, prompting immediate action.²

Among the most alarming findings was a large-scale cockroach infestation in areas designated for storing fruits and vegetables, which posed a significant risk of food contamination. Inspectors also noted that food products were improperly stored on rusted racks and directly on the floor, with inadequate cleanliness in cold-storage sections.

The FDA reported the presence of expired, damaged, and tampered packaged food products, some of which were stored alongside other inventory in cold-storage areas. Additionally, the facility failed to comply with FIFO (First In, First Out) and FEFO (First Expired, First Out) systems, essential for maintaining food safety standards.

Other violations included shortcomings in pest control, waste disposal, and general maintenance. The establishment lacked necessary medical examination records and health documentation for food-handling workers, and inspectors cited inadequate personal hygiene practices and insufficient protective equipment.

As a result, the FDA has prohibited the establishment from selling or distributing food until further notice, warning of potential legal action if operations continue during the suspension. This action is part of a broader compliance drive by the FDA, which has also recently suspended a Blinkit warehouse in Pune for similar hygiene violations.