Maharashtra to Launch Helpline for Complaints Against Food Delivery Platforms: FDA Minister
Mumbai, 1st July 2025: In a significant move to strengthen food safety measures, Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Minister Narhari Zirwal announced that the state government will soon launch a dedicated helpline for citizens to lodge complaints against online food delivery platforms such as Zepto, Swiggy, and Zomato.
Speaking in the Legislative Council, Zirwal said the helpline will allow the public to directly report concerns regarding poor food quality, hygiene violations, and issues with ready-to-eat or home-cooked meals delivered by these platforms. The announcement follows a series of disturbing complaints, including instances of dead rodents, insects, foul odours, and unsanitary conditions in food ordered through major delivery apps.
FDA Action After Zepto Dark Store Violation
Last month, the FDA uncovered substandard food items during an inspection of a Zepto dark store in Mumbai. The incident prompted a wider crackdown, with inspections conducted at storage facilities of 42 companies. Authorities collected 32 food samples, suspended licences of non-compliant units, and ordered the closure of five establishments for violating food safety norms.
Zirwal assured the House that all food distribution and storage units in the state will now be inspected every six months to prevent recurrence of such violations. He also admitted that the FDA’s existing toll-free number had proven ineffective in handling citizen complaints, necessitating the launch of a new, more efficient helpline.
Calls for Regulation of Energy Drinks
During the discussion, Council member Satyajit Tambe called for a ban on energy drinks like Sting, warning that these beverages are becoming increasingly popular among school-aged children. In response, Zirwal said the state plans to increase manpower and establish 27 new testing laboratories to improve enforcement and monitoring across Maharashtra.
He further clarified that while the state government controls warehouse permissions for food delivery firms, their trade licences are issued by central authorities. The issue of regulatory gaps was raised earlier by member Sandeep Joshi, who called for better coordination between state and central licensing bodies.
