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Quick commerce’s race to deliver in 10 minutes appears to be compromising product checks, including temperature control and expiry verification.
A recent wave of food safety raids on Zepto and Blinkit dark stores has exposed alarming lapses in hygiene and regulatory compliance within India’s booming quick commerce sector. Conducted by the FDA Maharashtra, these inspections revealed expired food items, improper temperature control, and inadequate expiry checks—violations that threaten consumer safety in the name of 10-minute deliveries.
In a particularly serious outcome, the Blinkit dark store in Pune had its license suspended after officials uncovered multiple regulatory breaches. Zepto also came under fire in earlier raids, although its suspension was later revoked after corrective actions were taken. Despite this, both companies have been served improvement notices under Section 32 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, mandating stricter adherence to safety protocols.
Authorities destroyed 11 categories of expired items, indicating systemic issues in inventory management and quality control. These findings suggest that the pressure to maintain ultra-fast delivery timelines is leading to shortcuts in safety processes, particularly concerning the storage and handling of perishable goods.
This isn’t the first time dark stores, the hyperlocal micro-warehouses that enable quick deliveries, have faced scrutiny. However, the recent Blinkit raid investigation and Zepto safety violations spotlight a growing risk to public health as companies scale operations without proportionate investment in compliance.
As the quick commerce model rapidly expands across urban India, regulatory bodies are likely to intensify inspections. Experts argue that while speed is a competitive edge, it must not override basic food safety standards. With consumer trust and brand credibility on the line, companies like Zepto and Blinkit will now have to demonstrate a serious commitment to transparency, safety, and regulatory compliance.
A recent wave of food safety raids on Zepto and Blinkit dark stores has exposed alarming lapses in hygiene and regulatory compliance within India’s booming quick commerce sector. Conducted by the FDA Maharashtra, these inspections revealed expired food items, improper temperature control, and inadequate expiry checks—violations that threaten consumer safety in the name of 10-minute deliveries.
In a particularly serious outcome, the Blinkit dark store in Pune had its license suspended after officials uncovered multiple regulatory breaches. Zepto also came under fire in earlier raids, although its suspension was later revoked after corrective actions were taken. Despite this, both companies have been served improvement notices under Section 32 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, mandating stricter adherence to safety protocols.
Authorities destroyed 11 categories of expired items, indicating systemic issues in inventory management and quality control. These findings suggest that the pressure to maintain ultra-fast delivery timelines is leading to shortcuts in safety processes, particularly concerning the storage and handling of perishable goods.
This isn’t the first time dark stores, the hyperlocal micro-warehouses that enable quick deliveries, have faced scrutiny. However, the recent Blinkit raid investigation and Zepto safety violations spotlight a growing risk to public health as companies scale operations without proportionate investment in compliance.
As the quick commerce model rapidly expands across urban India, regulatory bodies are likely to intensify inspections. Experts argue that while speed is a competitive edge, it must not override basic food safety standards. With consumer trust and brand credibility on the line, companies like Zepto and Blinkit will now have to demonstrate a serious commitment to transparency, safety, and regulatory compliance.
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