Bengaluru food safety crackdown: ₹1.38 crore expired, mislabeled food seized from Amazon, Instamart | Today’s news
Bengaluru authorities have stepped up inspections of food and drug storage facilities run by online delivery platforms, seizing expired and mislabelled food products worth ₹1.38 million. Medicines valued around ₹4 million were also seized during the checks.
The inspections were carried out by the Food and Drug Safety Authority on the instructions of Health Minister UT Khader. Officials took action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, news agency PTI reported.
The drive focused on warehousing and selling food products through online and e-commerce platforms. Officials examined the labels to verify details such as manufacturing and expiry dates, best before date and other mandatory information. They also checked whether medicines were stored in the facilities with the permission required by law.
Amazon devices among those reviewed
At the Amazon BLR6 facility at Hitech Defense and Aerospace Park, Devanahalli, officials seized food products worth ₹14 thousand for incorrect or insufficient labeling. Another batch of expired food worth ₹10 million was seized at the facility.
Officials also found the drugs to be worth it ₹2,45,352, which were allegedly deposited without the requisite license, according to a ministry statement.
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Checks at the Amazon BLR7 facility in Anekal taluk led to the seizure of mislabeled or inadequately labeled food products worth ₹19 million. Expired food costs more ₹13 million was also confiscated.
Medicines valued at ₹1.57 million were seized from the facility after officials discovered they were being stored without a license.
Expired food found in shops in Bengaluru
The department also inspected Saptha Bazaar in HBR Layout following a complaint which alleged that the establishment was buying groceries, milk, vegetables, curd and other food items from online delivery agencies and selling expired products.
Food safety officials found and seized expired items including cashew crackers, ragi flour, chicken patties, paneer, crackers, nuts, eggs and flour. The products were priced around ₹10,000, according to the ministry.
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At Leo 7 Enterprises in Lingarajapuram, inspectors found several food items that were either expired or nearing their use-by date.
“During an inspection carried out at Leo 7 Enterprises located in Lingarajapuram, Bengaluru, it was found that various food products, including nutritional products, beverages, chocolates, sweets, ghee and nuts and seeds, were either expired or nearing their expiry date,” Srinivas K, Food and Drug Safety Commissioner, said in a statement.
The owner informed officials that the food products cost approx ₹56 million were stored in the premises. Authorities subsequently sealed off the facility, officials said.
The Instamart facility has been closed due to policy violations
At the Instamart facility in Hoskote in rural Bengaluru district, officials seized expired food products worth ₹42 lakh, Srinivas K said.
“On inspection of the Instamart facility at Hoskote in rural Bengaluru district, expired food products worth ₹42 million was seized,” he said.
The facility was closed after officials found unsanitary conditions and violations of the Food Safety and Standards Act and applicable rules.
The ministry said its total operation resulted in the seizure of food worth ₹33 million for incorrect or insufficient labeling. The value of food products with expired or almost expired expiration dates ₹1.05 million were also seized, surpassing the total value of seized food products ₹1.38 million.
Medicines are worth it ₹4.02 lakh was also seized, which officials said were stored without the required licences.
The investigation at the Instamart facility is still ongoing. The department said officials are examining expired and mislabeled products worth around ₹1 million under the probe.
(With input from agencies)
