Unlicensed Operation Discovered
On June 5, 2025, Maharashtra FDA inspectors detected that a Blinkit dark store in Baner-Balewadi, Pune, was operating without the requisite FSSAI licence—which is mandatory under Section 31(1) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 business-standard.com
🧹 2. Hygiene & Storage Failures
Inspectors flagged multiple breaches, including:
- Food items stored directly on the floor
- Absent pest-control audit certificates
- Employees handling food without protective caps
- Dusty storage racks
- Uncalibrated cold storage units—crucial for perishable items
These lapses pose significant health risks to consumers.
🛑 3. Licence Suspended, Closure Ordered
The FDA has revoked the store’s food licence, mandating an immediate halt to all food operations until proper licence approval. Compliance documentation is required before reinspection
🔁 Part of a Larger Crackdown
This action mirrors recent FDA action in Mumbai, where a Zepto dark store in Dharavi faced licence suspension over fungal growth, stagnant water, expired stock, and other hazards. Maharashtra is intensifying regulatory oversight of quick‑commerce dark stores to protect public health.
✅ What This Means
- Consumer safety priority: Reflects growing regulatory vigilance over food hygiene in rapid delivery services.
- Operational burden on quick-commerce firms: Platforms and partners must implement strict compliance standards.
- Regulatory precedent: Regulators may scrutinize dark stores across other cities, prompting proactive licensing checks.
🧭 Final Take
The suspension of Blinkit’s licence in Pune emphasizes the critical need for rigorous food safety and hygiene protocols in the fast-growing quick-commerce sector. Blinkit and its partners now must address regulatory gaps, ensure licensing compliance, and overhaul sanitation measures before resuming operations.
