This weekend, the fast-commerce world faced a serious wake-up call. Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cancelled the food business license of Zepto’s Dharavi facility after a surprise inspection uncovered multiple hygiene and food safety violations.
In another news, Bollywood actor Kubbra Sait also complained that she has received a mouldy bread when she ordered from Swiggy.
The Maharashtra FDA suspended the food business license following serious violations of food safety and hygiene standards. This action came after a surprise inspection on May 31 by food safety officer Ram Bodke, conducted under the direction of Minister of State for FDA Yogesh Kadam and overseen by Joint Commissioner (Food) Mangesh Mane.
The inspection uncovered multiple breaches of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, prompting swift regulatory intervention. The suspension aims to ensure compliance with mandatory safety norms and protect public health by addressing the identified lapses in food handling and hygiene practices.
According to Hindustan Times, The FDA’s report revealed several food items showing visible fungal growth, with others stored near stagnant, clogged water. Additionally, cold storage units failed to maintain the required temperatures. The facility’s floors were wet, dirty, and cluttered with food products placed directly on the ground.
Zepto released a statement on the matter and said, “We are committed to rectifying the lapses identified and strengthening our processes to provide the best and safest quality of products to our consumers”.
Adding fuel to the fire, Bollywood actor Kubbra Sait recently shared a video on social media showing mould-covered sourdough bread she received via Swiggy. Her video struck a chord with many consumers, highlighting concerns over food quality and hygiene in online deliveries.
Fast-commerce platforms like Zepto, Swiggy, Dunzo, and others have revolutionised how we shop for groceries. Right from the pandemic to now, how we buy groceries has changed.
The ability to get fresh produce, essentials, and even meals delivered to our doorstep in under an hour is nothing short of a game-changer. These services have become essential, but at the same time we must keep in mind that what goes on behind the closed doors of a warehouse is something we are not aware of.
These incidents make us realise that regular and frequent quality checks at the ground level are crucial.
For companies, this means investing in better training for staff, improved sanitation protocols, and more rigorous cold chain management. At the same time, transparency and swift corrective action when issues arise are essential to maintain customer trust.
As customers, make sure to check every product you buy online and complain as soon as you find a problem.
