After weeks of regulatory heat, Zepto has received the green light to restart operations at its dark store in Mumbai’s Dharavi. The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has lifted the suspension on the store’s food business licence following a follow-up inspection and submission of detailed corrective measures by the company.
According to officials speaking with CNBC-TV18, Zepto submitted a fresh compliance dossier that included photos, internal audit reports, and results from water quality checks. Satisfied with the steps taken, the Appellate Authority overturned the suspension order.
Continue Exploring: Lahori Beverages Nears ₹450 Crore Fundraise as Valuation Soars to ₹2,500 Crore – A New Challenger in India’s Booming Drinks Market
The original shutdown came after an FDA inspection revealed alarming lapses: expired stock on shelves, visible mold on food items, dirty storage areas, and standing water in the facility. Cold storage temperatures were reportedly below standard, and goods were found lying directly on damp, unclean floors. Expired and fresh products were poorly segregated—conditions the FDA described as a direct violation of licensing norms.
This incident has turned the spotlight on the entire quick commerce space, which has exploded in popularity across Indian metros. Just days after the Zepto action, the FDA flagged a Blinkit facility in Pune for operating without a food safety licence.
In a statement, Zepto said it remains committed to strict hygiene practices and “a safe, trusted experience” for its users.
Maharashtra Minister of State for Food and Drug Administration, Yogesh Kadam, emphasized that no single company is being singled out. Speaking to CNBC-TV18, he said that Zepto, Blinkit, Instamart, and others will all face joint inspections going forward, and penalties will be imposed wherever hygiene or licensing norms are flouted.
Continue Exploring: “Kuch Nahi Hoga”—Anupam Mittal Challenges This Dangerous Mindset in Policy Bazaar’s New Ad
Meanwhile, Zepto is pushing back its IPO plans to 2026. The company is currently in talks to raise domestic capital and transition to a fully Indian-owned entity. It’s also dealing with internal issues like delivery staff protests in Hyderabad and the rollback of its Zepto Café format in several cities.
