Under the 'dark Hi Shubh Hai' campaign, UPFSDA takes major action on e-commerce platforms and dark stores; 218 establishments inspected
Special inspections by the Food Safety Department in Lucknow, Kanpur, Ghaziabad, Agra, Noida and other districts
154 improvement notices issued, 11 food samples collected, and sale of frozen meat and meat products banned at two stores
Lucknow, October 2026 : To ensure the quality, purity and safe supply of food items reaching homes through online platforms in the state, the Yogi government has moved to make the food safety monitoring system more effective. In the series of steps, the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) conducted a statewide special inspection drive on e-commerce platforms, warehouses and dark stores under the 'Shuddh Hi Shubh Hai' campaign, and carried out a comprehensive check of compliance with food safety standards. At establishments linked to various platforms including Blinkit, Zepto, Amazon, Reliance and Metro, arrangements for safe storage of food items, hygiene, temperature control, cold storage, shelf life, labelling and licensing were examined. During the campaign, a total of 218 establishments were inspected and action was taken against irregularities. At places where irregularities in maintaining standards were found, 154 improvement notices were issued, with licences of 6 stores suspended and their business was shut down until improvements are made, and 11 food samples were collected for testing. In addition, the sale of frozen meat and meat products was stopped at two stores, while in Agra, 273 packets of makhana (fox nuts), with an estimated value of Rs 68,000, were seized due to labelling irregularities.
Ghaziabad: Action taken after filth and cockroach traces found at Zepto warehouse
During the inspection of the Zepto warehouse located near RDC in Ghaziabad, serious lapses in cleanliness came to light. Excessive filth, cobwebs on the walls, damaged flooring and cockroaches were found on the premises. Such conditions at a food storage site do not conform to food safety and hygiene standards. Taking the matter seriously, the department initiated action to suspend the licence of the establishment concerned.
Kanpur Nagar: Strictness over storage arrangements and violation of best-before rules
In Kanpur Nagar, Reliance Mart, Metro and Zepto stores were inspected. Irregularities were found in the controlled environment and cold storage arrangements as required by the licence conditions. Irregularities also emerged during the check of provisions related to storage and labelling of food items. Violations of the prescribed best-before standards were found on some food products. The department directed the establishments concerned to ensure arrangements in line with the rules, and took action to shut down business until improvements are made. The aim of this action is to ensure that food items reaching consumers through online orders are kept safely under the prescribed conditions and that their quality is not compromised.
Agra: 273 packets seized, estimated value Rs 68,000
During the inspection of a Reliance store in Agra, labelling irregularities were found in 273 packets of makhana of the Rai Lays brand. The department seized these packets. The estimated value of the seized food items is around Rs 68,000. A notice was also issued to the establishment concerned to make the necessary corrections. Through this action, the department made it clear that compliance with labelling and regulatory provisions is mandatory in the sale of food products. Traders selling food items through any medium, online or offline, will have to follow the prescribed food safety standards.
Lucknow: Filth, pests and food stored along with medicines
Serious irregularities came to light during the inspection of the Zepto store in Chinhat, Lucknow. Filth, presence of pests, and rusted and fungus-infested racks were found in the store. In addition, food items were being kept along with medicines and nutraceuticals. Taking this storage arrangement seriously, the department suspended the licence of the store concerned and shut down its business until improvements are made. Meanwhile, at the Zepto store in Chiraiyabagh and the Blinkit store in Hussainabad, it was found that meat and meat products were being sold without the necessary approval on the licence. The department immediately stopped such sales at the establishments concerned.
Noida: Sale banned of food items kept in bad racks and dirty cold room
During the inspection of the Zepto store at Wajidpur, Sector-135, Gautam Buddha Nagar, rusted and fungus-infested racks, a damaged and dirty cold room, and food items scattered on the floor were found. These shortcomings were considered serious from the standpoint of safe storage of food items. The department shut down food business in the cold room concerned until the necessary improvements are made, and banned the sale of food items kept there. Through this action, emphasis was laid on compliance with prescribed standards, making cold chain and storage hygiene an important part of the food safety system.
Compliance with safety standards mandatory in online food supply
This action taken under the 'Shuddh Hi Shubh Hai' campaign focuses on ensuring that food items reaching consumers through e-commerce platforms and dark stores meet the prescribed standards of quality, hygiene and safe storage. Amid the growing popularity of online orders, monitoring of temperature control, cold storage, pest control, cleanliness, labelling and shelf life in warehouses and dark stores has become important. The objective of the Food Safety and Drug Administration is not only to identify irregularities but also to compel the traders concerned to improve their arrangements in line with the prescribed standards. Where serious shortcomings are found, action such as licence suspension, shutting down business, banning the sale of food items and seizure of products is being taken.
