Reliance Retail outlet in Buldhana inspected after complaint alleging mould and live larvae in kaju katli; Blinkit facility in Mumbai faces licence suspension after FDA reports cockroach infestation, unhygienic storage and expired food packages
Mumbai: Two of the country’s biggest consumer-facing businesses — Reliance Retail and Blinkit — have come under the scanner of the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration, as the Tukaram Mundhe-led agency intensifies its action over food safety and hygiene standards across the state.
At a Reliance Retail outlet in Buldhana, FDA officials acted following a consumer complaint alleging that a packet of kaju katli contained mould and live larvae. In Mumbai, the administration took sterner action against a Blinkit establishment after inspectors reported serious hygiene violations, including a large cockroach infestation, improper food storage and expired or damaged packaged food.
The action is significant because the FDA has not restricted its enforcement drive to small retailers, roadside establishments or local manufacturers, but has also brought large organised retail and quick-commerce businesses within the ambit of its inspections.
According to an FDA press note issued on August 10, a complaint was received on August 8 regarding Laxmi Narayan brand kaju katli purchased from Reliance Retail Limited at ARD Cinemall, Buldhana. The complainant alleged mould growth and live larvae in the product.
Officials immediately inspected the Reliance Retail establishment.
However, the FDA said the particular batch mentioned in the complaint — batch number SL-05, manufactured on May 29, 2026 and carrying a use-by date of August 29, 2026 — was not available at the establishment when officials conducted the inspection.
Inspectors instead found another batch of the same product, numbered SL-07, manufactured on July 20, 2026 with a use-by date of October 20, 2026. A sample from this batch was collected for laboratory examination.
The FDA also seized 54 boxes of kaju katli weighing 11.340 kg and valued at ₹10,238. The sample has been sent to an authorised food laboratory and further legal action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 will depend on the laboratory report.
The action against Blink Commerce Private Limited, which operates Blinkit, was more serious.
FDA officials inspected its establishment at Sarvodaya Bhuvan on Ramchandra Lane in Malad West, Mumbai, on August 7. The administration said inspectors found extremely unhygienic conditions and a large infestation of cockroaches.
According to the FDA, food items were being stored improperly, including on rusted racks and on the floor. Inspectors also reported inadequate cleanliness in cold-storage areas and found expired and tampered packaged food products. The establishment was also allegedly not following the prescribed FIFO and FEFO systems used for inventory and expiry management.
The FDA further reported inadequate pest and rodent-control measures, deficiencies in waste management and general maintenance, absence of medical examination and health records of food-handling employees, and inadequate personal hygiene and protective equipment.
More seriously, inspectors reported a substantial cockroach infestation in the area where vegetables and fruits were stored, creating what the FDA described as a serious risk of food contamination. Expired and damaged or tampered packages were also allegedly found in the cold room.
The administration said the food licence of Blink Commerce Private Limited was suspended under provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Food Safety and Standards regulations. During the suspension period, the establishment has been prohibited from selling, distributing or carrying on any food business from the premises.
The Reliance and Blinkit actions form part of a wider enforcement campaign launched by Maharashtra FDA against unsafe, adulterated, misbranded and prohibited food products across the state.
Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has made it clear that the department intends to continue stringent enforcement.
In the press note, Mundhe said the administration would maintain a strict approach towards food quality and enforcement of food-safety laws, stressing that citizens have a right to safe food and that violations affecting public health would invite tougher action.
