Zepto warehouse sealed in Bengaluru after food safety inspection flags multiple violations

A Zepto warehouse in Karnataka's Bengaluru Rural district has been sealed after a special inspection by the state's Food Safety and Drug Administration Department found violations relating to food labelling, storage and handling, with officials recommending further legal action against the facility.

The inspection was conducted on Aug 11 at the Zepto warehouse operated by Nippon Express in Hoskote taluk as part of a special drive to check the quality, safety, storage, labelling and handling of food products.

The exercise was carried out under the guidance of Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader, according to the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department's release cited by The Times of India.

According to the department, officials found non-compliant labelling, misbranding of food products, unhygienic food handling and storage conditions, along with other violations of requirements under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

The inspection also found organic waste, discarded wrappers and bottles, accumulated dirt on the floor and empty cardboard boxes. Health officials described the conditions at the warehouse as "extremely unhygienic".

Following the inspection, the food safety department sealed the warehouse with immediate effect. A notice was also issued to the facility, while the department recommended that a case be filed before the concerned adjudicating officer for further legal action.

The department said strict legal action would be taken against food business operators found violating food safety regulations and that such special inspection drives would continue to ensure access to safe and hygienic food.

The action against the Zepto facility comes amid a wider food-safety enforcement drive in Bengaluru. The officials had also conducted inspections at several hotels and restaurants in the city in recent days.

Meanwhile, Zepto said it had cooperated with the authorities during the inspection and had taken note of the observations and suggestions made by officials.

The company said it was taking steps to address the issues raised during the inspection and would continue working to strengthen its food-safety and hygiene processes.

Zomato warehouse inspection follows

A day after the Zepto facility was sealed, the Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration Department began an inspection of Zomato's Hyperpure warehouse on Bannerghatta Road in Bengaluru. Officials inspected food items at the facility, according to NDTV.

However, the department had not issued a statement on the outcome of the Zomato inspection at the time of the report.

The sequence places quick-commerce and food-delivery storage facilities under increased regulatory scrutiny in Bengaluru, but the available reports do not establish that the same violations identified at the Zepto warehouse were present at the Zomato facility.

The food-safety officials had been conducting raids and inspections involving food-delivery platforms, hotels and restaurants.

Earlier, the food licence of a Blinkit facility in Mumbai was suspended on Aug 10 after Maharashtra FDA officials found unhygienic conditions and a cockroach infestation. That was a separate action by Maharashtra authorities and is not connected to the Bengaluru Zepto inspection.