The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has revoked licences of 14 online food delivery outlets, including Zepto, Blinkit and Instamart, after a statewide inspection uncovered serious hygiene violations. Issues ranged from rodent droppings to expired stock, prompting immediate action.

Key Takeaways

  • 14 licences revoked across Zepto, Blinkit, Instamart
  • Violations include rodent droppings, cockroach infestations, expired stock
  • FDA issued improvement notices to 60 establishments

Details of the Licence Suspension

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suspended licences of 14 online food delivery establishments on August 13 after a comprehensive state‑wide inspection. The action covered 86 inspected outlets, where serious hygiene and food‑safety breaches were found.

Among the suspended licences were five Blinkit outlets, five Zepto outlets, two Instamart outlets, and one each of Bhagwati Stores and Swinsta ENT Pvt Ltd (which also runs an Instamart store). Additionally, the FDA issued improvement notices to 60 other businesses and ordered one outlet to halt operations immediately.

Key Violations Highlighted

At a Blink Commerce outlet in Ghatkopar, the establishment scored only 34 out of 74, with inspectors noting an open toilet door, rotten vegetables, cockroach infestation, and the absence of a displayed FSSAI licence. In Bandra West, a RAJIDI retail unit was found with large quantities of rodent droppings near food packets and a lizard infestation.

In Pune, a Zepto outlet in Lohegaon and a Swinsta ENT unit at Warje Jakat Naka were suspended for cold‑chain failures and cockroach infestations. A Blinkit store in Karad, Satara, was found operating 125 delivery riders without identity cards or medical fitness records, leading to a temporary suspension of its two‑wheeler delivery fleet.

Historical Background

Over the past few years, Maharashtra’s FDA has repeatedly cracked down on online grocery platforms. In 2022, twelve licences were revoked, and in 2024, eight establishments received improvement notices. These actions underscore a growing regulatory focus on consumer safety in the fast‑growing e‑grocery sector.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that repeated safety lapses in fast‑growing e‑grocery platforms can erode consumer trust and invite stricter regulatory scrutiny, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape of India's online food market.

"Neglecting hygiene standards in online grocery can pose serious health risks to consumers," says Dr. Ajay Sharma, public‑health expert.
Did You Know?: India's online grocery market grew by 30% year‑on‑year in 2025, making strict compliance more critical than ever.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: What does a licence suspension mean for consumers?
Answer: Services from the suspended outlets will stop immediately, but other stores with improvement notices can continue operating while they address the issues.

Question 2: How can a suspended outlet regain its licence?
Answer: The business must rectify the cited violations, after which the FDA will conduct a re‑inspection and may reinstate the licence.