Amid a massive crackdown on food safety violations in Bengaluru , authorities have now seized expired and mislabelled food products worth ₹ 1.38 crore and medicines valued at around ₹ 4 lakh from dark stores and storage facilities operated by online delivery platforms.
The operation focused on products being sold through online and e-commerce platforms, with officials checking mandatory labelling details including the date of manufacture, expiry date and shelf life, along with other food safety requirements. They also checked whether medicines were being stored without the licences required under law. The department also detected expired food products at Saptha Bazaar in HBR Layout after receiving a complaint that the establishment was buying groceries, milk, vegetables, curd and other food products from online delivery agencies and reselling expired items.
The inspections were carried out by the Food Safety and Drugs Administration following directions from Health Minister U T Khader under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, according to officials, news agency PTI reported. At Amazon’s BLR6 facility at Hitech Defence and Aerospace Park in Devanahalli, officials seized food products worth ₹ 14 lakh for incorrect or inadequate labelling and expired food products worth ₹ 10 lakh. Drugs worth ₹ 2,45,352, allegedly stored without a licence, were also seized from the facility, according to a statement issued by the department. At Amazon’s BLR7 facility in Anekal taluk, officials seized food products worth ₹ 19 lakh for incorrect or inadequate labelling and expired food products worth ₹ 13 lakh. Medicines worth ₹ 1.57 lakh that were being stored without a licence were also seized. Food Safety Officers seized expired products including cashew biscuits, ragi flour, chicken patties, paneer, cookies, nuts, eggs and flour worth around ₹ 10,000, the department said, according to the report.
