Bombay HC directs Amazon to hand over expired goods to Maharashtra FDA for disposal

The Bombay High Court has ordered Amazon to transfer all expired and perished goods from its Bhiwandi warehouse to the Maharashtra Food and Drug Authority (FDA) for scientific disposal. The e-commerce giant will also be responsible for the associated costs.

The directive comes after the FDA suspended Amazon Retail India's warehouse license. The agency accused Amazon of sending expired food products into the retail market rather than destroying them. Amazon had challenged this action in the High Court.

A bench, including Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge, instructed Amazon to prepare an inventory of the expired items. The FDA officer will then proceed with the disposal according to legal mandates.

Previously, the court had criticized the FDA's drastic action, comparing it to "trying to kill a mosquito with a sword." The FDA has recently been conducting numerous raids on food establishments since IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe took charge in May.

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Don’t kill a mosquito with a sword