Food Safety dept raids Zomato-owned Blinkit warehouse in Hyderabad, What they found is...

On Wednesday, the Food Safety Department made a surprise visit to the Zomato-owned Blinkit warehouse in Devar Yamjal, Medchal Malkajgiri District.

What they found raised serious food safety concerns. Blinkit was found in violation of multiple food safety standards.

The department reported on X that they discovered infested products and unhygienic storage conditions.

According to the Food Safety Department, Blinkit's premises were disorganized, unhygienic, and dusty, especially around storage racks. There was no FOSTAC-trained personnel available, and food handlers were found without proper headgear, gloves, or aprons. Additionally, medical fitness certificates for the food handlers were missing.

Cosmetic products were stored alongside food items, and the license of Whole Farm Congruence Trade and Services Pvt Ltd did not comply with the FSS Act regarding the address on the label. Products from Kamakshi Foods had expired licenses, leading to the seizure of items like suji, raw peanut butter, maida, poha, besan, and bajra worth Rs. 30,000.

Furthermore, suspected infested ragi flour and toor dal worth Rs. 52,000 were seized, with samples sent to the lab for testing.

"Notice will be issued and further action shall be taken accordingly," the department added.

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

Netizens reaction

Netizens are asking the food safety department to conduct similar raids on other places. 

"@cfs_telangana you should also perform such raids on small water plants supplying 20 ltrs water cans claiming it is filtered. However they do not maintain hygiene and not sure which water they use. Most of the food poisoning happens due to such water rather than food. Request 🙏," a user wrote. 

Compliments authorities! Only answer is stringent Punishment @fssaiindia @MoHFW_INDIA

— Dinesh kumar (@Dineshk38263974) June 7, 2024

@AFCGHMC dear sir, kindly check MORE Supermarket, beside Ashta Laxmi Temple Arch, Saroornagar, LB Nagar Service Rd, Hyderabad, 500035.

they are sending 6 month old milk and expired eggs, for Amazon fresh orders @moreretail @fss

— SYED FASIUDDIN (@sdomermpc) June 6, 2024

While this is the first major raid on a quick commerce company, Telangana's food safety department has been conducting several such raids on eateries and cafes.

Last month, Telangana's food safety authorities conducted a surprise inspection at Rameshwaram Cafe's Hyderabad branch. According to the food safety department, 100 kg of Urad Dal worth Rs 16,000, 10 kg of Nandini Curd, and eight litres of milk were found expired and present in the kitchen.