The Telangana food safety department recently conducted a raid on a warehouse owned by Blinkit, a quick commerce platform under Zomato, located in the Devar Yamjal area of Medchal Malkajgiri district in Telangana.
Raid Findings and Actions Taken
According to a statement posted on X by the Commissioner of Food Safety, Telangana, the warehouse was found to be disorganized, unhygienic, and dusty. The department plans to issue a notice to Blinkit and take further action against the company. During the raid, edible items worth INR 82,000 were seized from the premises due to non-compliance with food safety norms or expired licenses.
Specifically, products manufactured by Kamakshi Foods were found to have an expired license, resulting in the seizure of products worth INR 30,000. Suspected infested whole farm ragi flour and toor dal worth INR 52,000 were also seized, and samples were sent to the lab for testing. The department also found products from Whole Farm Congruence Trade and Services that did not comply with labeling norms.
Hygiene Concerns and Compliance Issues
Aside from food safety concerns, the raid uncovered storage of cosmetic products alongside food items and noted that food handlers were operating without proper protective gear such as headgear, gloves, and aprons. Furthermore, medical fitness certificates of food handlers were unavailable, and no Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) trainee was present at the warehouse.
Blinkit’s Response and Collaborative Efforts
In response to the findings, Blinkit assured that it takes safety and hygiene standards seriously and is collaborating with its warehouse partner and the food safety department to implement corrective actions.
Challenges Faced by Blinkit
This incident adds to the challenges faced by Blinkit in recent times. The company has been under scrutiny for its delivery claims and is embroiled in a trademark infringement case. Additionally, a strike by delivery executives last month disrupted services in certain regions.
Financial Performance Amid Challenges
Despite these challenges, Blinkit has been expanding its operations and improving its financial performance. The quick commerce arm reported a revenue of INR 769 crore in Q4 FY24 and achieved adjusted EBITDA positivity. However, the recent raid underscores the importance of maintaining stringent food safety standards, which are crucial for consumer trust and regulatory compliance.
