11 August,2026 07:57 AM IST | Mumbai | Abhitash Singh
The Blink Commerce facility in Malad West, where lapses in hygiene allegedly occurred. Pics/By Special Arrangement
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has turned its spotlight on the quick-commerce sector, with Blink Commerce Pvt Ltd - the company behind Blinkit - facing action after inspectors found a series of serious food-safety violations at its Malad facility. The FDA has suspended the company's food licence with immediate effect, effectively barring the premises from selling, distributing, or conducting food business during the suspension period.
The action followed an inspection of Blink Commerce's facility at Gala No. A-03, Plot Nos. 38, 39 and 40, ninth floor, Sarvodaya Bhuvan, Ramchandra Lane, Malad West, on August 7.
According to the FDA, inspectors found the premises in an extremely unhygienic condition, with a large-scale cockroach infestation, improper storage of food articles, food material lying on racks and floors, poor cleanliness of the cold-storage room and inadequate cleaning of food-handling areas.
The FDA carried out a state-wide enforcement drive conducted between August 6 and 9, particularly targeting milk and dairy products, adulterated food and other food businesses.
The FDA reported 29 inspections, while 12 hotels, restaurants and eateries were inspected. Eight improvement notices were issued and one food licence was suspended. The department also seized other food and prohibited/adulterated substances worth several crores of rupees.
The crackdown included action against adulterated/refined edible oils, packaged drinking water, artificial sweeteners, adulterated sugar, paneer and suspected unsafe milk, with samples and seized material being sent for further analysis and legal proceedings.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has suspended Blink Commerce's food licence under provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.
During the suspension period, the company has been prohibited from selling, distributing, or carrying out any food business from the premises. The FDA has also warned that if the business is found operating during the suspension period, further stringent legal action will be initiated.
Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration inspectors found damaged and chewed food packages, indicating pest activity. The facility was allegedly not following the prescribed FIFO/FEFO (First In, First Out/First Expired, First Out) system for stock management. The FDA further pointed to shortcomings in pest and rodent-control measures at storage and handling points. Deficiencies in waste management, cleanliness and maintenance were also recorded.
The inspection reportedly found a lack of medical examination and health records for food-handling employees, besides deficiencies in personal hygiene and protective equipment. The FDA said vegetables and fruits stored at the premises had a large-scale cockroach infestation, raising concerns about possible contamination of food products.
[popcorn number="August 7" desc="Day facility was inspected" class="Default"]
