Maharashtra Suspends 12 Quick Commerce Warehouses Over Hygiene Violations

Maharashtra food safety chief Tukaram Mundhe launched a crackdown on the quick commerce and fast-food sectors, suspending the permits of 12 warehouses operated by Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy's Instamart. The state's Food and Drug Administration inspected 86 establishments in total, discovering cockroach infestations, rotten vegetables, rodent droppings, and unhygienic storage conditions.

In Nashik, inspectors found delivery staff entering storage areas while wearing street footwear. Beyond the warehouse suspensions, the agency issued 60 improvement notices and shut down four Domino's outlets. Mundhe stated that the government will not tolerate any "playing with public health" and warned that tougher actions would follow for unsafe food preparation and storage.

Swiggy and Eternal declined to comment on the raids, while Zepto did not respond to queries.