Blinkit, Zepto among 105 food businesses hit by Maharashtra FDA action ahead of Diwali; food worth Rs 1.35 crore seized

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licences of 105 food businesses, including Blink Commerce Pvt Ltd and Zepto Ltd, and ordered seven establishments to shut operations after detecting multiple food safety violations during a special inspection drive ahead of Diwali.The two-day crackdown on November 4 and 5 also led to the seizure of nearly 39.5 tonnes of food articles worth Rs 1.35 crore across the state.According to an official statement, the suspended licences included 39 establishments in the Nashik division, 28 in Mumbai, 20 in Pune, 15 in Amravati, two in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and one in Thane.The seven establishments directed to stop operations included three in Pune, two in Amravati, and one each in Mumbai and the Konkan division.The list of establishments facing licence suspension included Blink Commerce Pvt Ltd and Zepto Ltd in Mumbai, along with food manufacturers, sweet shops, hotels, restaurants and caterers, the regulator said.The inspections revealed several violations, including unhygienic manufacturing and storage conditions, improper food handling and packaging, inadequate pest control, absence of temperature-control arrangements and failure to maintain mandatory records and certificates.During the two-day inspection drive, the FDA seized 39,485.42 kg of food articles worth Rs 1.35 crore from more than 70 establishments. The seized products included mawa, khoa, paneer, ghee, edible oils, farsan, dry fruits and various sweets.The Pune division recorded the highest seizure, with 14,429.7 kg of food articles worth Rs 49.36 lakh. The Konkan division reported seizures worth Rs 32.52 lakh, followed by Nashik at Rs 28.35 lakh, the food safety regulator said.Gutkha, pan masala worth Rs 7.96 lakh seizedThe administration also seized prohibited products, including gutkha and pan masala, worth Rs 7.96 lakh from three locations.Three FIRs were registered and two people arrested in connection with the seizures.Two vehicles worth Rs 4.70 lakh were also seized, while two establishments were sealed, the statement said.Among the establishments directed to stop business operations were Rajdhani Biryani Centre in Mumbai, Aaradhana Dryfruit Sweets in Bhiwandi in Thane district, and three food establishments in Pune.The FDA clarified that establishments whose licences have been suspended cannot carry out food business operations during the suspension period.(With PTI inputs)You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Mumbai | Silver Rate in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai | Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Petrol Price in Mumbai | Diesel Price in Mumbai | CNG Price in Mumbai | LPG Price in MumbaiStay updated with the latest Mumbai news. Download the TOI App.