The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food business licence of Kiranakart Technologies Pvt Ltd (Zepto), located in Dharavi, Mumbai. An FDA inspection has revealed serious non-compliance with the food safety standards.
Acting on the information received from the Minister of State for Food and Drug Administration, Yogesh Kadam, the FDA team, when it inspected the location, observed several non-compliances including fungal growth on food articles, storage of products near stagnant water, indicating poor hygiene, cold storage temperatures not being maintained as per regulatory standards, wet and filthy floors with food items stored in disorganised and unsanitary manner, including directly on the floor, and expired food products found not separated from non-expired stock.
“The findings constitute a failure to comply with the conditions of the license. Accordingly, Anupamaa Balasaheb Patil, Assistant Commissioner (Food), issued an order of immediate suspension under Section 32(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and Regulation 2.1.8(4) of the Licensing and Registration Regulations, 2011. The suspension remains effective until the establishment achieves full compliance and receives approval from the licensing authority,” said a statement from the Maharashtra FDA.
When contacted Zepto, the company stated an internal review is going on and the lapses will be rectified.
“At Zepto, maintaining the highest standards of food safety and hygiene is non-negotiable. We have already initiated an internal review and are working closely with the concerned authorities to ensure full and swift compliance. We are committed to rectifying the lapses identified and strengthening our processes to provide the best and safest quality of products to our consumers. We are taking all necessary corrective measures to resume operations in accordance with regulatory obligations and applicable laws at the earliest,” said a Zepto spokesperson.