Zepto, Biryani By Kilo among 105 outlets face Tukaram Mundhe crackdown before Diwali

Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe leads a pre-Diwali crackdown, with Zepto, Blinkit, Biryani By Kilo and other food outlets among 105 operators facing action over safety violations.

In Short

• Statewide inspections were conducted over two days on November 4 and 5
• Mumbai accounted for 28 food business licences suspended during the drive
• Zepto's Worli outlet faced regulatory action during the statewide inspections

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA), under Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, has suspended the licences of 105 food business operators across the state following a special inspection drive ahead of Diwali. Several prominent food brands and quick-commerce platforms, including Zepto, Blinkit and Biryani By Kilo, have come under the scanner for violations of food safety regulations.

The FDA conducted the inspections across Maharashtra on November 4 and 5, with Mumbai alone accounting for 28 suspended food business licences. The action covered Zepto's Worli outlet and Blinkit, operated by Blink Commerce Pvt Ltd. Food outlets such as Biryani By Kilo, Tossin Pizza's Worli outlet and Jumbo Burger were also among those facing action.

SEVEN ESTABLISHMENTS ORDERED TO SHUT

Taking a serious view of violations of food safety norms, the FDA ordered the complete closure of seven establishments across the state. These included three establishments in Pune, two in Amravati, and one each in Mumbai and the Konkan region.

In Mumbai, Rajdhani Biryani Centre in Borivali was ordered to shut down for violations of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations.

The inspection drive also covered a D-Mart outlet on Kamthi Road in Nagpur, where refined soybean oil was seized after officials found violations of licence conditions.

FOOD STOCK WORTH OVER RS 1.35 CRORE SEIZED

As part of the crackdown, the FDA seized food stock worth more than Rs 1.35 crore from over 69 establishments. Officials suspect that the seized stock may have been unsafe or adulterated.

The drive also led to three FIRs being registered in connection with action against prohibited food products. Two people were arrested and two vehicles were seized during the operation.

FDA CHIEF WARNS OF STRICT ACTION

Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe warned food businesses against compromising public health and said strict action would be taken against those found violating food safety regulations.

He also cautioned that selling unsafe food products could attract severe punishment. Under the law, cases in which the consumption of unsafe food leads to a person's death can attract life imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh.

The special inspection drive comes ahead of Diwali, when food consumption and demand typically rise during the festive season. The FDA's action is aimed at ensuring food safety and curbing the sale of potentially unsafe and adulterated products across Maharashtra.

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