Pune: FDA Shuts Down Blinkit Dark Store in Balewadi for Licence and Hygiene Violations
Baner, 9th June 2025: Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sealed a dark store operated on behalf of Blinkit in Pune’s Baner-Balewadi area due to serious breaches of food safety and regulatory standards.
The facility, managed by M/s Energy Darkstore Services near Mitcon College, was found to be operating without a valid food business licence—an offense under Section 31(1) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The FDA carried out its inspection on June 5, according to a report by The Economic Times.
Joint Commissioner Suresh Annapure confirmed the suspension of the store’s operations, stating, “The unit lacked mandatory FDA approvals. We have directed the operators to submit all required documents for further examination.”
The inspection revealed multiple hygiene and safety violations, including food items stored directly on the floor, dust-covered storage racks, absence of pest control certification, lack of protective gear for food handlers, and an uncalibrated cold storage system.
Food Safety Officer Laxmikant Sawale noted that the facility failed to comply with Schedule 4 hygiene norms under the FSS Act. “A compliance report has been demanded. The store will undergo a follow-up inspection before any decision is made on resumption of operations,” he added.
Additional issues flagged in the report included unclean floors, stagnant water, poor storage conditions, and signs of fungal contamination — all of which pose a significant threat to public health.
The action comes shortly after a similar crackdown in Mumbai, where the FDA sealed a dark store belonging to Zepto’s parent company, Kiranakart Technologies, in Dharavi for comparable violations.
The Pune operation was led by Food Safety Officer Ram Bodke, under the supervision of Joint Commissioner Mangesh Mane, following directives from FDA Minister of State, Yogesh Kadam. This enforcement forms part of a larger regulatory push by the FDA to tighten oversight on the rapidly expanding quick-commerce sector.
