Key Update

The Food Safety Department scrutinised a Blinkit store behind ROF Mall in Sector 43 in Gurugram, after a resident of Sushant Lok-1 repeatedly received expired paneer through the app. The resident reported that the store continued supplying faulty packets even after replacing the first one. They also alleged that the store manager behaved rudely when confronted. The customer stated that the first paneer packet smelled foul and that the replacement was also rotten and expired. They recorded video evidence at the store to support their complaint.

Inspection and Sample Collection

After receiving the complaint, food safety officials raided the Blinkit outlet and inspected the store for hygiene violations, expired stock, and other irregularities. They collected samples of paneer, kesar peda, milk cake, and toned milk for laboratory testing. A Food Safety Department spokesperson said authorities will take action under the Food Safety and Standards Act based on the lab results.

Previous Safety Concerns

This is not the first time a Blinkit outlet has faced regulatory action. In July, the FDA raided a Blinkit store in Pune for allegedly operating without a license. Inspectors found unsanitary storage, dust-covered food packets, no pest control measures, and untrained staff not wearing basic safety gear such as gloves or head caps. Around 50 employees were found working in dark, poorly lit rooms without valid medical certificates, highlighting ongoing compliance concerns in some app-based retail food outlets.

Source: NDTV