Across many instant grocery outlets in the city, on which a large section of Bengaluru’s population depends for day-to-day grocery needs, expired and misbranded products worth more than ₹2.35 lakh were found in warehouses supplying groceries through quick-commerce platforms. 

This came after the Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) carried out surprise inspections across Bengaluru earlier this month. The department has booked 44 cases for offences including storage of expired food, misbranding and other non-compliances. 

“The two-day special drive was conducted on June 12 and 13, with Food Safety Officers inspecting warehouses and stores that fulfil online grocery orders. As more consumers are increasingly relying on quick-commerce platforms for everyday essentials, the inspections were conducted focusing on products such as milk, curd, bread, vegetables, fruits, snacks, beverages and packaged foods and to also check whether these storage facilities were maintaining the required standards of cleanliness, hygiene and food safety,” a senior FDA official said. 

According to the department’s findings, 266 warehouses were identified for inspection during the drive. Of these, officials inspected 236 units, while 30 were found to be closed, non-traceable or otherwise unavailable for inspection.  

The inspections resulted in the seizure of expired food products worth ₹2,35,095. Officials also registered 44 adjudication cases against Food Business Operators (FBOs) for violations. “Many food items were found carrying incorrect or misleading labels, including inaccurate information about ingredients, expiry dates and other mandatory declarations,” the official said. 

Apart from the cases booked, the department issued 65 notices to FBOs directing them to rectify the violations. “Penalties amounting to ₹1,97,999 were also imposed during the enforcement drive,” the official confirmed to The Hindu. 

“Such drives were initiated after receiving complaints from members of the public and based on the understanding that people are increasingly becoming dependent on these services,” an official said, adding that expired products that should have been removed from inventory were still found in storage during the inspections. Even the products nearing their expiry date had not been segregated, he added. 

Queries to multiple quick-commerce platforms by The Hindu did not yield any responses.