‘Black worms found in sugar’: FSDA seals state-run Indira canteen and Zepto warehouse in Bengaluru; Zomato also under lens

Amid an ongoing crackdown on unsafe food practices across India, the Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) on Tuesday raided a Zepto warehouse and three state-run Indira Canteens in Bengaluru.

Officials are now onto Hyperpure by Zomato on Bannerghatta Road, though no statement has been issued regarding the outcome of the inspection.

The inspection was aimed at checking the food quality, proper storage, labelling and handling practices under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) Rules, 2011.

During the special inspection drive, the officials found rats and black worms in a sack of sugar in the Indira canteens. They also found non-compliant labelling, misbranding, unhygienic food-handling and other violations.

Officials have collected samples of pulses, turmeric powder, cooking oil, jaggery, salt, sugar and prepared food items for further laboratory analysis.

The Gottigere Indira Canteen warehouse was sealed following the inspection. The department recommended that cases be filed before the respective Adjudicating Officers for further legal action.

In the Zepto warehouse operated by Nippon Express in Hoskote taluk, food packets and garbage were both allegedly found lying on the floor. Misbranding of food products and unhygienic storage were also flagged by the regulator.

The department has sealed the warehouse with immediate effect under provisions of the food safety law. A notice was also issued to the Zepto warehouse management while a penalty of ₹25,000 was imposed on the company for failing to maintain cleanliness at the location.

FSDA’s crackdown on Zepto follows the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s recent suspension of a food licence for competitor Blinkit’s dark store in Mumbai, on the grounds of a cockroach infestation.

The FSDA recently conducted a three-day continuous special food safety inspection drive covering 60 three-star and five-star hotels in the Bengaluru Urban District and the Greater Bengaluru Area. During the inspection, multiple hotels were found storing expired food products, improperly preserving meat, fish and poultry and using vegetables with fungal growth.