Expired, Mislabelled Food Worth Rs 1.38 Crore Seized From Amazon, Swiggy

The Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration conducted inspections at Amazon facilities in Devanahalli and Anekal, a Swiggy Instamart facility in Hoskote and other food storage and supply units in and around Bengaluru.

According to the department, the enforcement action was based on documents provided in connection with a "peptide party" organised in Bengaluru. During the inspections, officials examined food products sold through online and e-commerce platforms for compliance with mandatory labelling requirements, dates of manufacture and expiry, shelf life and other prescribed food safety standards. The storage of medicines without the required licences was also checked.

Across the two Amazon facilities, officials seized food products worth Rs 56 lakh for violations including incorrect or inadequate labelling and expiry.

At Amazon in Devanahalli, food products worth Rs 14 lakh were seized for alleged labelling violations, while expired food products worth another Rs 10 lakh were found. The total value of food products seized from the facility was Rs 24 lakh. Medicines worth Rs 2.45 lakh were also seized for allegedly being stored without a licence.

At the Amazon facility in Anekal, officials seized food products worth Rs 19 lakh for alleged labelling violations and expired products worth Rs 13 lakh. The total value of food products seized from the facility was Rs 32 lakh. Medicines worth Rs 1.57 lakh were also seized for allegedly being stored without the required licence.

At the Swiggy Instamart facility in Hoskote, officials seized expired food products worth Rs 42 lakh. The facility was closed after officials found what they described as unhygienic conditions and violations of provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act and applicable rules.

The department said the investigation at the Instamart facility was continuing, with expired and mislabelled products estimated at around Rs 1 crore detected during the investigation.

The enforcement drive also covered Saptha Bazaar in HBR Layout following a complaint alleging that the establishment was purchasing grocery items, milk, vegetables, curd and other food products from various e-commerce and online delivery agencies and reselling expired products to consumers.

During the inspection, Food Safety Officers found expired cashew biscuits, ragi flour, chicken patty, paneer, cookies, nuts, eggs and flour, among other products. Expired food products valued at approximately Rs 10,000 were seized in the interest of public health, the department said.

At another local retailer, Leo 7 Enterprises in Lingarajapuram, officials found several categories of food products that were either expired or nearing expiry. These included nutritional products, beverages, chocolates, sweets, ghee and nuts and seeds.

According to the department, the owner told officials that food products worth approximately Rs 56 lakh were stored at the premises. The premises was subsequently seized.

Overall, the department said food products with incorrect or inadequate labelling worth Rs 33 lakh and expired or near-expiry food products worth Rs 1.05 crore were seized, taking the total value of food products seized to Rs 1.38 crore. Medicines worth Rs 4.02 lakh were seized separately, taking the total seizure value to Rs 1.43 crore.

The latest inspections are part of an intensified food safety crackdown across Bengaluru, covering restaurants, hotels, clubs, warehouses and food distribution facilities. Officials have also checked storage units supplying major hotels and restaurants and issued notices to establishments where violations were found, warning that further action could be taken under food safety regulations.