Maharashtra FDA Suspends Food Licences of Swiggy Instamart, Amazon Warehouse in Mumbai Over Hygiene Violations

Yugcharan News / 22-09-2026

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food licences of multiple establishments in Mumbai after inspections uncovered serious hygiene and food-safety violations, including live rodents, cockroaches, contaminated storage areas and poor sanitation.

The action was part of a statewide festive-season enforcement drive conducted between September 17 and 20 to prevent the sale and distribution of unsafe and adulterated food products. The Maharashtra FDA said licences of 10 food establishments in Mumbai were suspended following inspections. Across the state, the crackdown also resulted in the seizure of suspected adulterated and unhygienic food products valued at around ₹1.36 crore.

One of the most significant actions involved a Swiggy Instamart dark store in Ballard Estate, south Mumbai. The facility is operated by Swinsta ENT Private Limited. FDA officials said they found conditions that raised serious concerns about food storage and handling practices at the premises.

Live Rat and Cockroach Infestation Found at Swiggy Instamart Store

According to the Maharashtra FDA, inspectors directly observed a live rat in the food-handling area of the Ballard Estate facility.

Several 10-kg rice bags were also found to have been gnawed open by rodents, with rice grains scattered across the floor. The regulator said rodent droppings were present in important storage areas, while live cockroaches were found on food articles.

Officials also reported finding live flies inside food-storage carts. Refrigeration units reportedly contained dead insects, dirt and significant ice accumulation.

The FDA further said an unclean and functioning toilet was located close to the food-storage area. According to the regulator, the proximity of the toilet to food storage created potential risks of airborne and faecal-oral contamination.

Following the inspection, the FDA ordered the immediate suspension of the food licence of Swinsta ENT Private Limited.

The findings underline the importance of hygiene controls at dark stores, which serve as storage and fulfilment facilities for online grocery orders. Such premises handle packaged and other food products before they are delivered to consumers.

Amazon-Linked Warehouse Also Faces FDA Action

The enforcement action was not limited to online grocery operations.

The FDA also suspended the licence of Acculogicx Supply Chain Solutions Pvt Ltd, which operates a warehouse for Amazon in Kandivli. Officials cited sanitation and drainage-related deficiencies at the facility.

Reports on the inspection said stagnant wastewater was found at the premises, while food and non-food materials were not adequately segregated. Chemicals were also reportedly stored close to food packaging materials, and temperature records were not properly maintained.

These deficiencies prompted regulatory action against the facility as part of the wider food-safety inspection drive.

Other Mumbai Establishments Face Licence Suspensions

The Maharashtra FDA also took action against several other establishments across Mumbai.

Among those named by the regulator were Sadguru Sweets and Farsan Mart in Malad, Suleman Usman Mithaiwala on Mohammed Ali Road, Jain Sweet & Bhelpuri House, Nice Enterprises in Chembur and other food businesses.

The FDA said these establishments were found to have violated food-safety or hygiene requirements during inspections.

The list of establishments reported in subsequent coverage also includes Go Green Food Hospitality in Ghatkopar East, Swad Snacks Corner in Lalbaug and Parel, and Lucknowi Kebab and Zaika Moradabadi Hotel in Versova.

Suleman Usman Mithaiwala was among the prominent establishments facing action. Inspectors reportedly found sweets and other food products being stored in unhygienic conditions without adequate temperature or humidity control. Reports also referred to risks from fungal contamination, condensation and pest contact.

The FDA's action reflects its broader focus on storage conditions, sanitation, pest control and compliance with food-safety requirements rather than limiting inspections to the quality of the final food product.

₹1.36 Crore Worth of Food Products Seized Across Maharashtra

The Mumbai action formed part of a larger statewide enforcement campaign ahead of the festive season.

The Maharashtra FDA said it seized suspected adulterated and unhygienic food products worth approximately ₹1.36 crore across the state. The seized products included khoya, mawa, peda, ghee, cooking oil, barfi, dried apricots, raisins, jaggery, sweets and other dairy products.

The department also seized 1,868 kg of turmeric powder valued at approximately ₹6.53 lakh in Miraj.

The crackdown comes during a period when demand for sweets, dairy products, edible oils and other food items traditionally rises because of the festive season. Food regulators typically intensify inspections during such periods because increased production, transportation and retail activity can also increase the risk of adulteration and improper storage.

Gutkha and Pan Masala Seized in Nagpur

The FDA's enforcement campaign also covered banned and restricted food-related products.

In Nagpur, officials seized gutkha and pan masala worth ₹4,10,782 along with two vehicles valued at ₹8 lakh, according to the department.

Three establishments were inspected during the operation. The FDA said three FIRs were registered and three people were arrested in connection with the action.

Officials also seized 2,813 kg of milk and milk products valued at ₹7,38,230.

Other seized materials included supari and namkeen weighing a combined 2,580 kg, along with 12.5 litres of toddy. Their combined value was reported at ₹4,66,802.

Khoya and Mawa Seized in Konkan Region

The enforcement drive also extended to the Konkan division.

FDA officials seized 479 kg of khowa and 958 kg of sweet mawa valued at ₹3,16,140 from a vehicle at Kashimira in Mira Road. The products were declared unfit for sale after officials found them being transported or stored under unhygienic conditions and without adequate temperature control.

Another vehicle was found carrying 659 kg of khowa and 220 kg of sweet mawa, together valued at ₹2,69,940.

At Charoti Toll in Palghar, officials seized another 174 kg of sweet mawa valued at ₹48,720 after finding it to be substandard and misbranded.

The inspections were part of the same broader effort to monitor the quality and safety of food products being transported and sold ahead of the festive season.

Food Safety Checks in Pune and Kolhapur

The FDA also conducted inspections in the Pune division.

At an establishment in Karad, Satara, officials seized 126 kg of milk sweets valued at ₹63,000. The products were reportedly prepared under unhygienic conditions.

In Kolhapur, inspectors seized 99 kg of khowa and 98 kg of rabdi worth ₹40,430. The action was linked to licensing and labelling violations.

These seizures demonstrate that the enforcement campaign is covering multiple stages of the food supply chain, including manufacturing, transportation, storage and retail.

Mumbai Inspections Continue

In Mumbai, the FDA inspected 27 hotels and restaurants as part of its enforcement campaign. According to the department, licences of 14 establishments were suspended, while 13 others were issued improvement notices.

The regulator has also been conducting inspections at restaurants, food businesses and other establishments across the city as part of its continuing food-safety drive.

The latest action follows a series of inspections in Mumbai in recent weeks in which regulators have identified problems ranging from pest infestations and poor storage practices to sanitation deficiencies.

The FDA's latest crackdown comes under Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, whose department has intensified inspections and enforcement activity in the city and across Maharashtra.

Focus on Hygiene Ahead of Festive Season

The latest enforcement action highlights the regulatory challenges involved in maintaining food-safety standards across a large and diverse supply chain.

For consumers, food safety concerns can arise not only from adulteration but also from improper storage, inadequate temperature control, pest infestation, contaminated surfaces and poor sanitation at facilities where food is handled.

The findings reported at the Swiggy Instamart facility in Ballard Estate, including a live rodent, rodent-damaged rice bags, droppings and cockroach infestation, prompted immediate licence suspension by the FDA. The action against the Amazon-linked warehouse similarly focused on sanitation, drainage, segregation and storage practices.

With the festive season approaching, the Maharashtra FDA is continuing inspections across cities and districts to check food establishments, suppliers and transporters. The department's seizures and licence suspensions indicate that enforcement is covering both large commercial operations and smaller food businesses.

The latest Mumbai action therefore forms part of a broader statewide campaign aimed at ensuring that food products reaching consumers meet prescribed safety and hygiene requirements during a period of increased demand.