Quick Commerce Under Scrutiny: The Dark Side of 10-Minute Deliveries

The rapid rise of quick commerce apps, promising deliveries in just minutes, is now facing intense scrutiny. Recent raids on "dark stores" and quick café kitchens of major players like Zepto and Blinkit reveal serious hygiene and safety concerns. This suggests that the pursuit of speed might be compromising essential standards and consumer safety.

Raids Reveal Disturbing Conditions

Earlier this week, Maharashtra's Food and Drug Authority (FDA) suspended Blinkit’s dark store license in Pune due to food safety violations. Previously, a Zepto facility in Mumbai was found to have fungal growth on products and poorly maintained cold storage. Officials destroyed nearly 11 types of expired food items at the Zepto site.

Last year, a Blinkit warehouse in Telangana was also described as "disorganised, unhygienic, and dusty" by authorities. Non-compliant or expired goods were seized there, too. These incidents paint a concerning picture of operational standards.

Legal Obligations and Lapses

In India, all food businesses must follow the Food Safety and Standards Regulations of 2011. These rules cover proper storage, handling, hygiene, and require checking expiry dates and maintaining correct temperatures. Despite these clear legal mandates, many perishable items are reportedly delivered in stale conditions.

Customers frequently complain on social media about receiving rotten or expired products. This widespread issue points to a significant gap between the required legal standards and the actual practices within these quick commerce dark stores and warehouses.

The "Dark Store" Race vs. Food Safety

Quick commerce giants, including Blinkit, Instamart, and Zepto, are rapidly expanding their dark store networks. Regardless of whether stores are company-owned or franchisee-operated, the brand remains responsible for product quality. These facilities mostly handle dry goods, with only about 10% being cold products.

This imbalance often leads to inadequate standard operating procedures (SOPs) and insufficient staff training for managing perishable cold items. Sometimes, companies prioritise ultra-fast delivery over crucial checks like monitoring product temperatures before dispatch, potentially harming consumer health.

Read more: Liquor Industry Warns Maharashtra’s Record IMFL Duty Hike

Conclusion

As the quick commerce industry continues to grow, companies are shifting their focus from mere expansion to implementing responsible business models. By ensuring strict adherence to food safety standards, companies can maintain their reputation and customer trust. 
 
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