Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration sealed a Zepto warehouse in Bengaluru on Tuesday after finding multiple food safety violations. The inspection at the Hoskote facility, operated in partnership with Nippon Express, uncovered unhygienic food handling, improper labelling, misbranding, and breaches of storage practices, leading to the immediate closure of the warehouse, according to medianama.com.
Food safety officials conducted a thorough inspection covering quality, safety, storage, labelling, and food handling practices under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The authorities issued a notice to the Zepto warehouse and recommended filing a case before the Adjudicating Officer for further legal action. The sealing follows similar regulatory actions against quick commerce platforms in Mumbai, where a Blinkit facility faced licence suspension for serious violations.
The regulatory crackdown highlights increasing scrutiny of quick commerce companies amid concerns over food safety standards. Zepto and Blinkit, two major players in the sector, have faced enforcement actions in different states, reflecting broader challenges in maintaining compliance with food safety laws. These developments come as quick commerce platforms expand rapidly, raising questions about their operational oversight and regulatory adherence.
The Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration’s action against Zepto’s Hoskote warehouse is part of ongoing efforts to enforce food safety regulations strictly. The case filing before the Adjudicating Officer will determine further penalties or corrective measures, marking a critical enforcement milestone for food business operators in the region.