Zomato-owned Blinkit responds to raid by Telangana Food Safety Department that found multiple violations; know more

The Commissioner of Food Safety, Telangana, raided Blinkit’s warehouse near Hyderabad and uncovered “multiple violations, including expired products and unhygienic storage standards.” Blinkit is Zomato’s quick commerce company.

The company responded to a query by Economic Times stating it is “working closely with its warehouse partner and the food safety department to implement corrective actions.” Notably, Telangana’s Commissioner of Food Safety has been conducting raids on various outlets in Hyderabad and adjacent cities to identify such violations.

The Telangana Food Safety Department made a post on X detailing the raid, saying, “Task force team has conducted an inspection in Blinkit Warehouse at Devar yamjal, Medchal Malkajgiri District on 05.06.2024”.

Here’s what the department uncovered:

– The premises were disorganised, unhygienic, and dusty, with storage racks in poor condition.

– There were no Fostac trainees available.

– Food handlers were observed without headgear, gloves, and aprons.

– Medical fitness certificates for food handlers were unavailable.

– Cosmetic products were improperly stored alongside food items.

– The license of Whole Farm Congruence Trade and Services Pvt Ltd did not comply with the FSS Act regarding the address mentioned on the label. A notice will be issued.

– Products manufactured by Kamakshi Foods had expired licenses. Therefore, products from VSR, including Suji, Raw peanut butter, Maida, Poha, Besan, and Bajra worth Rs. 30k, were seized.

– Suspected infested whole farm ragi flour and toor dal worth Rs 52k were seized, and samples were sent to the lab for testing.

Notice will be issued, and further action will be taken accordingly.”

Task force team has conducted inspection in 𝗕𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝘁 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 at Devar yamjal, Medchal Malkajgiri District on 05.06.2024.

* The premises found to be very disorganised, unhygienic and dusty at storage racks.

* There is no Fostac trainee available.

* Food… pic.twitter.com/FmZROCrGcC

— Commissioner of Food Safety, Telangana (@cfs_telangana) June 6, 2024

How do such violations affect your health?

Dr Sudhir Kumar, a consultant neurologist at Apollo Hospitals in Hyderabad, emphasised the significant risk of infections associated with unhygienic storage. “Many infections, such as food and water-borne diseases like typhoid and cholera, are common due to such storage conditions. Additionally, storing food beyond its expiry date increases the risk of contamination,” he said.

One may also experience nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea, as well as fatigue, loss of appetite, dehydration, abdominal discomfort, or pain with the consumption of such foods. This is why, it is essential to check labels of everything you buy, whether offline or online.

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