Maharashtra FDA Shuts Blinkit Dark Store in Pune Over Violations

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered the closure of an Eternal-owned Blinkit’s dark store in Pune’s Balewadi area for operating without the required food safety license, as per news reports. The store, located near Mitcon College, was run by M/s Energy Darkstore Services, one of Blinkit's last-mile warehousing partners.

Blinkit’s Store Inspection and Violations

The inspection was conducted on June 5, 2025, after a consumer complaint. Officials found that the facility was storing and distributing food items without the mandatory license under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Though the vendor had applied for a license in June 2024, the required documents were either missing or incomplete, and no license had been issued at the time of inspection.

Several hygiene issues were also noted. Food products were being stored on dusty shelves, some were kept directly on the floor, and cold storage units lacked calibration certificates. Workers handling food items were not wearing protective headgear. Pest-control records were not available, and no safety training documentation was provided for employees.

FDA Action and Response

Following the inspection, the FDA issued a formal notice directing an immediate halt to all food-related operations. The owner, Omprakash Mantri, and the store manager, Jai Arvind Bhaskar, have been warned of legal consequences if the order is violated.

Read more: Zepto IPO Filing 2025 on Track: No Delay Despite FDA Suspension!

Previous Action Against Zepto

This is the second such action in recent weeks. On similar grounds, the FDA had suspended the food business license of Zepto’s parent company, Kiranakart Technologies, for violations at its Dharavi facility in Mumbai. Inspectors there found fungal growth on food items, poor sanitation near storage areas, and expired products not clearly separated from fresh stock.

Conclusion

The FDA’s actions against Blinkit and Zepto highlight increased scrutiny of food handling practices in dark stores used by quick commerce platforms. More inspections are expected as part of ongoing checks across the state.

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