FDA Finds Cockroaches at Blinkit Facility, Probes Larvae in Reliance Retail Sweet

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken action against a Blink Commerce Pvt Ltd facility in Mumbai and inspected a Reliance Retail outlet in Buldhana following serious food safety concerns. The enforcement drive was intensified under newly appointed FDA commissioner Tukaram Mundhe.

The FDA suspended the food licence of Blink Commerce's facility at Sarvodaya Bhuvan in Malad (West), Mumbai, after an inspection on August 7 uncovered extensive cockroach infestation and multiple hygiene violations. Officials found a large number of cockroaches in vegetable and fruit storage areas, raising the risk of food contamination.

The inspection also revealed improper food storage, inadequate cleanliness in cold-storage areas, expired and damaged or tampered packaged food, and non-compliance with FIFO/FEFO inventory practices. The facility was further found to have inadequate pest and rodent control, poor waste management and shortcomings in maintaining medical examination and health records of food handlers.

The FDA also cited a lack of adequate personal hygiene and protective equipment for food workers. Given the seriousness of the violations, the facility's food licence was suspended with immediate effect and it was prohibited from selling, distributing or conducting food business until further orders.

Separately, the FDA inspected a Reliance Retail outlet at ARD Cinemall in Buldhana district after receiving a complaint that live larvae had allegedly been found in 'Laxmi Narayan' packaged kaju katli.

The batch mentioned in the complaint, manufactured on May 29 and expiring on August 29, was not available during the inspection. However, another batch manufactured on July 20 and valid until October 20 was found. Officials collected a sample and seized 54 boxes weighing 11.340 kg, valued at Rs 10,238.

The sample has been sent to an authorised laboratory. Further legal action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 will depend on the laboratory findings.