Mouldy food, rotten vegetables: action against Instamart, Zepto stores

Hyderabad: A surprise food safety inspection at quick-commerce dark stores in Hyderabad has uncovered serious violations, prompting authorities to suspend licences of outlets operated by Swiggy Instamart, Flipkart and Zepto.

The inspections were carried out under the Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs, with food safety officials and police personnel forming 10 special teams. The teams inspected 16 dark stores across the city and found widespread lapses in hygiene, food storage and regulatory compliance.

The storage areas reportedly had rust-covered racks, accumulated dust, cobwebs and cockroach infestations. Officials also found expired and mould-affected food products, along with rotten vegetables kept for sale. Several stores were found to be failing to maintain prescribed temperatures in refrigeration units, and violations of mandatory food labelling requirements were also detected.

Following the findings, licences of Swiggy Instamart outlets at Pet Bashirabad and Saidabad, a Flipkart store on Panjesha Road in Charminar and a Zepto facility in Ramkoti were suspended.

Authorities also issued show-cause notices to five establishments and warnings to three others over the violations. The action comes amid concerns over hygiene and food safety standards at dark stores, which function as local fulfilment centres for rapid online deliveries.

During the inspections, officials collected 15 food samples for laboratory testing. Further legal action will be initiated based on the laboratory results, authorities said.

The inspections have brought renewed scrutiny on the conditions under which food and essential items are stored before being delivered to consumers through quick-commerce platforms.