Live larvae, cockroach infestation: Why Blinkit, Reliance Retail facilities are under scanner

Two major retail facilities in Maharashtra, India, are under scrutiny following separate food safety and hygiene violations. The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stepped up its enforcement, targeting a Reliance Retail outlet in Buldhana and a Blinkit (quick commerce) facility in Mumbai.

At the Reliance Retail outlet in Buldhana, the FDA received a complaint about live larvae found in a popular brand of packaged 'kaju katli' (a sweet). While the specific batch mentioned in the complaint was not found, a sample from another batch was collected for analysis. The regulatory body seized 54 boxes of the product, valued at ₹10,238 crore, and is awaiting laboratory results to determine further legal action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Meanwhile, the FDA has suspended the food license of Blink Commerce Pvt Ltd, the operator of Blinkit. An inspection of its Malad (West) facility revealed extensive "cockroach infestation" and severe hygiene violations. Food safety officers documented improperly stored food, expired and tampered products, and a failure to adhere to stock rotation practices like FIFO/FEFO (First-In, First-Out/First-Expired, First-Out).

The Blinkit facility's cold storage areas were also found to be inadequately clean, with rusted racks used for storing food articles, including expired or spoiled packaged goods. The suspension of the license is effective immediately and remains in place until further notice, barring the establishment from conducting any food business during this period. This action follows a recent directive from the Bombay High Court to Amazon to hand over expired goods from its Bhiwandi facility to the FDA for disposal.