Zepto warehouse Dharavi: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cracked down on a Zepto warehouse in Mumbai where food safety norms were blatantly mocked. The team came across several expired food packets, fungal growth on packaged items and unsanitary conditions. The FDA immediately suspended the operating license of the warehouse. 

Kiranakart Technologies, the parent company of Zepto, was found in violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, as well as the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.

What did the FDA find at Zepto’s warehouse?

The inspection, which was carried out on the complaint from MoS for FDA Yogen Kadam, revealed unhygienic conditions, in addition to expired products. Some products were even stored near clogged water, stagnant water, and cold-storage units that failed to meet mandatory temperature standards.

Raw foods were placed directly on wet, dirty floors, and there was no separation between expired and unexpired stock. 

Following the inspection, Assistant Commissioner (Food) Anupamaa Balasaheb Patil ordered an immediate suspension of the warehouse’s license under Section 32(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and Regulation 2.1.8(4) of the 2011 Licensing and Registration Regulations.

Zepto warehouse: Pics go viral on social media

Rectifying lapses, taking corrective measures: Zepto

“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 Zepto in the statement.