Karnataka FDA seizes expired food worth ₹2.35 lakh from quick-commerce warehouses

The Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) has seized expired and misbranded products worth over ₹2.35 lakh from warehouses supplying groceries through quick-commerce platforms in Bengaluru. The action followed surprise inspections conducted on June 12 and 13, during which officials inspected 236 out of 266 identified warehouses. Thirty warehouses were found closed, non-traceable, or unavailable for inspection.

According to an FDA official, the two-day drive focused on products such as milk, curd, bread, vegetables, fruits, snacks, beverages, and packaged foods. The inspections aimed to ensure that storage facilities adhered to cleanliness, hygiene, and food safety standards, given the increasing reliance of consumers on quick-commerce platforms for daily essentials.

During the inspections, officials registered 44 adjudication cases against Food Business Operators (FBOs) for violations including storage of expired food, misbranding, and other non-compliances. Expired food products worth ₹2,35,095 were seized. Additionally, 65 notices were issued to FBOs directing them to rectify violations, and penalties amounting to ₹1,97,999 were imposed.

Many food items were found carrying incorrect or misleading labels, such as inaccurate information about ingredients, expiry dates, and other mandatory declarations. The official noted that expired products that should have been removed from inventory were still in storage, and items nearing their expiry date had not been segregated.

The FDA initiated the drive after receiving complaints from the public and recognising the growing dependency on these services. Multiple quick-commerce platforms did not respond to queries from The Hindu regarding the findings.