Amazon Faces Food Safety Scrutiny, Tightens Controls After Bengaluru Raids
Amazon tightened its internal food safety measures after officials in Karnataka detected food goods with expired and improper labels at two units in Bengaluru. Medicines reportedly held without a valid licence were also seized by officials.
Following inspections at two of its Bengaluru food storage and supply facilities, Amazon is currently analysing the findings from the Karnataka food safety inspectors. Products with inaccurate labels and expiration dates were found during the most recent inspection.
According to the Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration, inspections conducted at the two Amazon warehouses discovered perishable food items with expired or wrong expiration dates, totalling around $59,000 (or INR 56.08). Medication valued at $4,232 (or around INR 4.02 lakh) that was reportedly kept without a legal licence was also confiscated by officials.
A Wake-Up Call for Amazon
Amazon has stated that it will take the required actions after analysing the inspection findings. Additionally, the business stated that it has measures in place to ensure that no products that do not comply with relevant regulations are displayed on Amazon.in or sent to its fulfilment centres. The news agency Reuters cited an anonymous source in the sector as claiming that Amazon is stepping up its internal controls to prevent future incidents like this.
The move is part of a broader assault by Indian authorities on food safety, which has included raids on nightclubs, restaurants, and big brands across the country. As authorities crack down on food safety infractions, companies and brands like McDonald's and Domino's have also been under investigation. Authorities are increasing their inspections of the food storage and distribution networks, and the Bengaluru inspections are just one example of this trend.
Food Regulators Putting Strong Checks on FBOs Across India
During recent inspections in the Bengaluru city, officials confiscated food items from Amazon, Swiggy, Instamart, and other locations valued at INR 1.38 crore that were found to be expired or incorrectly marked. The Amazon findings are the result of a distinct investigation conducted at a warehouse in Mumbai.
Products associated with large international food corporations allegedly had their nutritional information and expiration dates fabricated over the course of the investigation. Reuters stated that PepsiCo, Nestle, Unilever, and Coca-Cola were associated with the items. Regulatory scrutiny of food storage and delivery is intensifying across India, which coincides with Amazon's latest inspection.
FSSAI Takes Action Against Two West Bengal Firms
Kailash Formulation and Sanecure Water Project are two West Bengal-based enterprises whose licenses have been suspended by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Food safety, hygiene, and sanitation standards were found to be violated during inspections, leading to the action being taken. The food regulator announced the move on social media on September 6, saying that it was made during enforcement activities in South 24 Parganas.
In a social media post, the FSSAI brought attention to the fact that Sanecure Water Project, a packaged drinking water company, had its licence stopped due to many infractions and serious regulatory violations. There were major red flags about food safety due to the presence of pests, insufficient pest-proofing, and poor sanitation and hygiene. Equipment and machinery were found to be unmaintained and to lack proper personal hygiene facilities, such as washrooms and areas to wash hands.
