Maharashtra FDA cracks down on Zepto and Brijwasi: Licences suspended over food safety violations

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food safety licences of Brijwasi in Malad (West) and quick-commerce company Zepto's premises in Bhandup, Mumbai, following inspections that revealed violations of food safety and hygiene requirements.

The suspensions, announced as part of the department's statewide festive-season enforcement drive, took effect on October 10 for Brijwasi and October 9 for Zepto, according to an FDA press note issued on October 12.

The department said deficiencies detected during the inspection of M/s Krishnam Retails LLP, operating under the Brijwasi name in Malad, posed a serious risk to public health. Its FSSAI licence was suspended under Sections 32(1) and 32(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

At Zepto's premises at Gopal Estate on Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg in Bhandup, a Food Safety Officer's inspection on October 7 found serious violations of prescribed hygiene and sanitary requirements under the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011. The licence was suspended on October 9.

The FDA press note did not detail the specific deficiencies found at either premises. It also did not clarify whether the suspensions applied to other outlets operated by the two businesses. The action, as described in the notice, concerns the establishments inspected in Malad and Bhandup.

The action against the two Mumbai establishments forms part of a wider crackdown on banned food products and violations of food safety regulations across Maharashtra.

The FDA said it seized banned food products worth ₹1.44 crore and three vehicles, taking the total value of the seizures to ₹1.73 crore. Ten FIRs were registered and six people were arrested during the drive.

The largest seizure involved a truck intercepted in Palghar district on October 9. Acting on confidential information, officials stopped an Eicher closed-body truck near Hotel Manor Gate on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway and found it carrying banned gutkha, pan masala and scented tobacco allegedly intended for sale.

The prohibited stock was valued at ₹1.30 crore, while the truck was estimated to be worth ₹20 lakh. An FIR was registered at Manor police station against the driver, cleaner and six other accused.

Further seizures and arrests were reported in Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Nagpur divisions.

Over 5,300 litres of milk destroyed in Taloja

In another significant operation, FDA officials inspected three milk and milk-product establishments in Taloja, Raigad district, on October 8 and 9. The action resulted in the destruction of 5,394 litres of milk and 119 kg of paneer, while 1,019 kg of curd was placed in safe custody. The total stock involved was valued at ₹3.88 lakh, and the licences or registrations of all three establishments were suspended.

At Sawariya Milk and Milk Products, officials reported that milk was being stored without a valid licence or registration. The establishment allegedly lacked adequate hygiene and wastewater drainage facilities and failed to produce purchase and sale records. Officials also raised concerns about the source of the buffalo milk and the possibility of skimmed milk being mixed with it.

At Maheshwari Foods, a lizard was found in the paneer production room. The premises were described as extremely unhygienic and foul-smelling. Authorities destroyed 119 kg of paneer and suspended the food licence.

At Royal Foods, officials found discrepancies between the nutritional information on curd labels and laboratory analysis results. The establishment was also found manufacturing without a valid licence and violating hygiene requirements. The curd was placed in safe custody pending further action.

Edible oil and jaggery also under scrutiny

The FDA seized 9,675.2 kg of edible oil worth approximately ₹21.95 lakh during inspections in Pune division on October 10 and 11. The action covered six establishments in Pune, Solapur and Sangli districts over suspected substandard or unsafe products and other regulatory violations.

In Ahilyanagar district, 2,065 kg of jaggery worth ₹1.73 lakh was seized from two establishments in Shendi. The product, sold under the Kohinoor label, was suspected to be adulterated or substandard, and its label did not mention manufacturing or expiry dates.

The department also acted against seven hotel and dhaba establishments in Pune division. Three were found violating hygiene requirements, while four operating without the required licences or registrations were directed to stop business.