FDA suspends Blinkit's Bhiwandi food licence over disposal of expired stock; FIR filed

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of Maharashtra has suspended the food business licence of Blinkit's outlet at Paigaon in Bhiwandi. The outlet is run by Blink Commerce Private Limited. A criminal case has also been registered against the company. The matter concerns the handling of expired, spoilt and unsellable food stock, whose estimated value is put at Rs 32.71 lakh. The information was given in a statement issued on Monday by FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe.

FDA officials inspected the premises on October 21 and found records of about 18,405 expired, spoilt or unsellable food items. The FDA says the company could not provide any independently verifiable evidence that the stock was destroyed safely through an authorised route. The aim of the statewide drive is to ensure that expired or unfit food does not return to the market and that food safety rules are followed.

In the inspection at the Paigaon premises in Bhiwandi tehsil, officials found that complete records of the movement, receipt and final disposal of the stock had not been maintained. According to the FDA, the company could not produce weighbridge slips, vehicle and transport details, e-way bills, goods receipt notes, CCTV footage, time-stamped photographs or a final disposal certificate. It could therefore not be established that the stock was destroyed through an authorised route.

The company's director, Vijay Rajpurohit, appeared at the hearing. He submitted copies of agreements with two disposal agencies. The FDA said the agreements alone do not prove that the expired stock was actually collected, transported and destroyed. According to the FDA, the names of four more vendors also surfaced, but their full agreements and supporting records were not submitted.

The competent licensing authority suspended Blink Commerce's food business licence number 11525069000472 on October 22. The decision was based on the findings of the inspection, the available records, the replies given at the hearing and partial compliance with directions. While the order remains in force, the company cannot carry on food business under this licence. The FDA has also directed that the stock concerned must not be sold, moved or transferred, repacked or relabelled, or disposed of without written instructions from the competent authority.

An FIR was registered at Bhiwandi Taluka police station on October 23 on the complaint of a food safety officer. FIR number 0817/2026 invokes the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The FDA says the roles of company officials, disposal agencies, suppliers and middlemen are being investigated. Investigators are also examining whether the expired stock handed over for disposal was actually destroyed or found its way back into the market.

The action against Blink Commerce follows inspections on October 14 and 15. On those two days, seven FDA teams from Thane and Pune visited warehouses, disposal centres and related premises in Bhiwandi, Ambernath, Chakan and Nighoje. The teams found expired or spoilt food stock worth Rs 48.09 lakh in all. According to the FDA, the places inspected could not provide complete and independently verifiable records confirming the final disposal of the stock. The inspection report also states that the food business licences of Reliance Consumer Products, Reliance Retail, Zomato Hyperpure and premises linked to Blinkit Commerce at Nighoje have already been suspended.

The FDA said it had received information that expired food was being sold in some shops and establishments in Bhiwandi. The investigation into the involvement of suppliers and middlemen and the relationships among the entities concerned continues, and depends on further investigation and verification of evidence.

The department reiterated that food business operators are responsible for ensuring that expired, spoilt, customer-returned or unsellable stock is not available for resale. They must segregate such stock, verify the credentials of authorised disposal agencies, obtain disposal certificates and keep records of transport, receipt and final disposal. Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said that operators found compromising public health will face action in accordance with the evidence and the law. According to the department, inspections and legal action will continue.

Consumers have been advised to check the manufacturing date, batch number, Best Before or Use By information, the condition of the packaging and the details on the label when buying packaged food. If expired, spoilt or suspicious food is seen on sale anywhere, they can contact the FDA's toll-free helpline 1800-222-365. Complaints can also be lodged on the Food and Drug Grievance portal.