Blinkit’s Food License Suspended in Bhiwandi Over Expired Stock
Maharashtra FDA suspends Blink Commerce's license after discovering over 18,000 expired food items.
Blink Commerce's food business license was suspended on October 22.
An FIR was filed due to the company's failure to prove safe disposal of expired stock.
The FDA's crackdown revealed expired food items worth over Rs 32 lakh.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken decisive action against Blink Commerce Pvt. Ltd. by suspending its food business license for the Bhiwandi facility. This suspension, effective from October 22, comes in response to an inspection that uncovered a staggering 18,405 food items deemed expired, damaged, or unfit for sale, valued at approximately Rs 32.71 lakh. An FIR was subsequently filed at the Bhiwandi Taluka Police Station on October 23, highlighting the seriousness of the violations.
The FDA's intervention followed a thorough examination of Blinkit's operations in Pagaon, Bhiwandi taluka. During the inspection, officials noted significant deficiencies in the company's documentation regarding the disposal of expired products. Blink Commerce was unable to provide verifiable evidence that the expired stock had been disposed of through authorized channels. Essential records such as weighment slips, transport details, and disposal certificates were notably absent.
In a hearing, Blink Commerce director Vijay Rajpurohit presented agreements with two disposal agencies, but the FDA deemed these insufficient to confirm that the expired stock had been properly handled. The agency emphasized that the lack of supporting documentation from four other vendors raised further concerns about the legitimacy of the disposal process. The FIR has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, although the registration does not imply guilt.
As a result of the license suspension, Blink Commerce is prohibited from engaging in any food business activities. The FDA has also mandated that the expired stock cannot be sold, transferred, or disposed of without explicit written permission from the relevant authorities. This action is part of a broader enforcement initiative by the Maharashtra FDA, which has recently targeted several companies, including Reliance Consumer Products and Zomato Hyperpure, for similar violations.
The implications of this crackdown extend beyond Blink Commerce, as authorities are now investigating the potential diversion of expired food products back into the market. This includes examining the roles of company officials, vendors, and disposal agencies. As the investigation unfolds, further developments are expected, particularly concerning the accountability of those involved in the food supply chain.
