Food safety officials in Jaipur conducted raids on Blinkit and Zepto dark stores, discovering thousands of expired dairy products and severe storage violations. The operation led to the immediate destruction of contaminated food and strict warnings regarding hygiene.
- Raids conducted on Blinkit and Zepto dark stores in Jaipur.
- Thousands of dairy packets destroyed due to expiration and incorrect storage temperatures.
- Severe hygiene violations, including tobacco stains, found in storage areas.
- Samples of honey and peanut butter sent for laboratory analysis.
In a significant crackdown on the quick-commerce sector, the Food Safety Department in Jaipur has uncovered large-scale violations at the dark stores of industry giants Blinkit and Zepto. These fulfillment hubs, designed for rapid home delivery, were found to be operating in defiance of basic food safety and hygiene protocols, leading to the immediate destruction of thousands of spoiled items.
Zepto: Temperature Failures and Sanitation Issues
During the inspection of Zepto's Jagatpura facility, which handles approximately 500 deliveries daily, inspectors discovered that dairy products were not being stored at the mandated temperatures. The refrigeration units were fluctuating between 6 and 14 degrees Celsius, far above the safety threshold for perishable goods. Consequently, around 1,550 packets of Saras and Amul dairy products were destroyed on-site.
Beyond temperature issues, the facility's sanitation was found to be appalling. Officials reported stains of pan masala and zarda spit around the cold rooms and storage areas. Furthermore, 7 kg of expired muesli and bhujia, along with 100 kg of damaged stock marked "Not for Sale," were seized and disposed of.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows a systemic gap in the quality control mechanisms of the quick-commerce model. The pressure to maintain ultra-fast delivery times often leads to a neglect of the 'last-mile' storage infrastructure. When cold storage temperatures hit 32°C, as seen in these raids, the risk of foodborne illnesses increases exponentially. This incident serves as a wake-up call for regulators to implement stricter, real-time monitoring of dark stores.
"The race for 10-minute delivery must not come at the cost of public health and food safety standards."
Blinkit: Alarming Storage Conditions
The situation at the Blinkit dark store in Adarsh Nagar was even more critical. Inspectors recorded the temperature inside the cold storage unit at approximately 32 degrees Celsius—essentially room temperature—making it entirely unfit for dairy and perishable goods. This negligence resulted in the destruction of Amul butter, Bombay Banta juice, and various milk pouches.
Food Safety Commissioner Avichal Chaturvedi also highlighted similar failures at a warehouse operated by M/s JDS Marketing in Ramnagariya Extension. The department has now mandated an immediate overhaul of storage and hygiene practices across these facilities to prevent future health hazards.
| Metric | Zepto (Jagatpura) | Blinkit (Adarsh Nagar) |
|---|---|---|
| Dairy Products Destroyed | ~1,550 Packets | ~800 Packets |
| Storage Temperature | 6°C to 14°C | ~32°C |
| Primary Violation | Hygiene & Temp Fluctuations | Severe Temp Failure |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Were these expired products delivered to customers?
While the raids focused on warehouse stock, the presence of expired items in the delivery pipeline suggests a high risk; a full audit is ongoing.
Q2: What are the next steps for these companies?
The companies must rectify all hygiene and temperature lapses and wait for the laboratory results of the collected samples.
