The Maharashtra FDA has launched a probe and filed a case against executives of Reliance Consumer Products, Blinkit, and Zomato Hyperpure over allegations of diverting expired food products. Authorities seized stock worth Rs 48 lakh and suspended licenses of five related facilities. This development brings focus to the supply chain and compliance standards at major retail and quick-commerce companies.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has initiated a criminal investigation into the supply chain practices of several major retail and quick-commerce entities. Officials have filed a complaint at the Shanti Nagar police station in Thane, naming 10 individuals, including senior warehouse managers and directors associated with Reliance Consumer Products, Reliance Retail, Zomato Hyperpure, and Blinkit.
The regulatory action follows investigations conducted between October 14 and 15, which uncovered a potential racket involving the illegal diversion of food products. According to authorities, goods that were marked as expired, damaged, or rejected—and were intended for destruction—were instead being intercepted. The investigation alleges that these products were moved to unlicensed sorting yards in Bhiwandi, where they were reportedly repackaged for sale in the market after the falsification of destruction certificates.
During raids across Thane and Pune, inspectors seized inventory valued at over Rs 48 lakh. The recovery included significant quantities of compromised goods from a Zomato Hyperpure facility in Usatane and a Reliance Consumer Products warehouse in Vadpe. The FDA noted that the goods were being handled and sorted in conditions that violated basic safety and documentation standards, with many items being prepared for retail without proper tax invoices or quality assurance.
In response to these findings, the regulator has suspended the licenses of five involved establishments and ordered the immediate closure of four unlicensed sorting premises. This event poses a significant challenge for the companies involved, as supply chain integrity and waste management protocols are critical to the operations of both large-scale retail chains and the growing quick-commerce and B2B supply models. For businesses like Zomato Hyperpure, which supplies ingredients to restaurants, and Blinkit, which promises rapid delivery, trust in the quality and safety of inventory is a core business advantage. Any lapse in oversight regarding product expiry or waste disposal can lead to severe reputational damage and stricter regulatory scrutiny.
Moving forward, the investigation is expected to focus on identifying how these goods were diverted and determining the extent of compliance failures across the distribution networks. Investors and stakeholders will likely monitor the outcome of this probe, as it may lead to enhanced audit requirements, stricter government oversight on supply chain destruction processes, and potential operational adjustments for major retail and delivery platforms to ensure compliance with food safety regulations.