TG SAFE suspends licences of four quick-commerce stores

The Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG SAFE) has suspended the FSSAI licences of four dark stores operated by quick-commerce firms in Hyderabad after inspections revealed multiple food safety violations.

Hyderabad: The Food Safety Wing of Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG SAFE) on Wednesday suspended the FSSAI licenses of four dark stores operated by quick-commerce firms following inspections that revealed multiple food safety violations.

A total of ten enforcement teams comprising food safety officers and police personnel inspected 16 dark stores of Kwickbox Retail Private Limited (Swiggy Instamart), Instakart Services Private Limited (Flipkart), Zepto Private Limited and Dropx Logistics in the Core Urban Region (CURE).

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“The inspections found unhygienic premises, dusty and rusted racks, cobwebs, improper storage practices, expired and damaged food products, spoiled vegetables with fungal infestation, pest infestation, violations of food-labelling rules and improper cold room temperature maintenance,” said the TG SAFE officials.

The teams lifted 15 food samples on suspicion of adulteration. “Improvement notices will be issued to three establishments, including Flipkart stores at Chintal and Gajularamaram and Swiggy Instamart at Chintal, while show-cause notices will be issued to five establishments for reported violations,” the officials added.

The FSSAI licenses of four stores were suspended with immediate effect and the outlets have been directed to cease operations in the interest of public health. The outlets whose licenses were suspended are Swiggy Instamart stores at Pet Basheerabad and Saidabad, Flipkart Instakart store at Panjeshah Road, Charminar, and Zepto store at Ram Koti.

Officials said further action would be taken after re-inspection and based on compliance with food safety norms.