Hyderabad: The Blinkit warehouse located in Devar Yamjal, Medchal-Malkajgiri district of Telangana, has come under intense scrutiny following a inspection by the state's Commissioner of Food Safety that unearthed a slew of alarming violations, raising serious concerns about hygiene and food safety standards.
According to the official statement released on social media platform X by the Commissioner of Food Safety, the warehouse was found to be severely disorganised, unhygienic, and dusty, failing to adhere to crucial food handling and storage regulations mandated by the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act).
Among the violations discovered during the inspection, it was noted that the premises lacked the presence of a Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) trainee. Additionally, food handlers were observed without essential protective gear such as headgear, gloves, and aprons, and lacked medical fitness certificates.
The inspection team seized suspected infested whole farm ragi flour and toor dal, amounting to Rs 52,000 in value. Samples of these seized items have been sent to a laboratory for further testing to ascertain their safety for consumption. The Commissioner affirmed that a formal notice regarding the investigation will be issued, with subsequent legal actions to follow.
Furthermore, the inspection revealed discrepancies in the licensing compliance of two food entities associated with the warehouse. Whole Farm Congruence Trade and Services' license was found to be non-compliant with the FSS Act due to inaccuracies in the address mentioned on the label, warranting a notice from the authorities. Similarly, Kamakshi Foods' license was discovered to be expired, leading to the seizure of various products worth Rs 30,000.
In response to these findings, a spokesperson from Blinkit expressed the company's commitment to rectifying the situation. The spokesperson assured "cooperation" with their warehouse partner and the Food Safety department to address and implement corrective measures promptly.
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