In a significant crackdown on food safety violations, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has prompted a police investigation into several major retail and distribution entities. A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered at the Shanti Nagar police station in Thane, naming senior officials and employees from Reliance Consumer Products, Reliance Retail, Blinkit, and Zomato Hyperpure, alongside disposal agency operators and local suppliers.
The regulatory action follows a coordinated operation conducted by the FDA between October 14 and 15 across districts in Thane and Pune. According to official reports, the operation resulted in the seizure of food stock valued at approximately ₹48.1 lakh. The inventory included goods seized from a Bhiwandi-based disposal yard, a Reliance Consumer Products warehouse in Vadpe, and a Zomato Hyperpure facility located in Usatane.
The FIR invokes relevant provisions under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Among the ten individuals named in the police complaint are V. Subramaniam, a whole-time director at Reliance Consumer Products; Ashok Kumar Singh of Reliance Consumer Products; Vijay Bhikaji Kharmale, a nominee for Reliance Retail; and Nilesh Ramdasrao Deshmukh, a warehouse manager at Reliance Retail. Other named individuals include Arbinder Singh Dhinsa and Deepak Singh of Blinkit Commerce, as well as Abid Shaikh of Zomato Hyperpure.
Preliminary investigations by the FDA suggest a systematic diversion of food products that were originally intended for destruction. Regulatory sources indicated that expired, damaged, and customer-rejected items were allegedly sent to disposal agencies that claimed to have destroyed the goods, though they reportedly failed to provide adequate proof. The FDA probe found significant discrepancies in disposal records, specifically noting inconsistencies in quantities and misalignments in consignor-consignee details.
The investigation alleges that after reaching disposal sites, the stock was processed at unlicensed sorting yards in Bhiwandi. Staff reportedly identified packets that appeared to be in saleable condition and redirected them to brokers and suppliers for entry into the retail market. During their inspections, officials discovered expired and leaking products displayed for sale at a retail outlet in Gulzar Nagar, Bhiwandi, which was reportedly operating without necessary licenses or valid purchase documentation.
In response to the findings, the FDA deployed seven teams comprising assistant commissioners and food safety officers to conduct district-wide inspections. These teams inventoried the seized goods, collected samples for testing, and recorded formal statements. Furthermore, the authorities have prohibited the movement, sale, or destruction of any further products linked to these investigations.
The impact of the crackdown extends beyond the legal filing. On October 15, the FDA suspended the licenses of five separate establishments and ordered the closure of operations at four additional unlicensed premises. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on the supply chain management of these companies and the practices of the disposal agencies tasked with handling rejected food stock. The police are currently reviewing the documentation and statements collected during the raid to determine the extent of the alleged illegal activity.
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