Patna: The Bihar Food Safety Department has initiated action against warehouses operated by Reliance Retail Limited, Flipkart and BigBasket in Patna after inspections revealed alleged violations of food safety and storage standards.
The inspections were conducted under the directives of Food Safety Commissioner Kumar Ravi on Friday. Officials issued 14-day improvement notices to two Reliance Retail facilities and a BigBasket warehouse, while restricting the sale of 293 packets of Tata Tea Gold at Flipkart’s Bihta warehouse over discrepancies in batch numbers.
Food samples from the establishments have been sent to laboratories for testing, with further action to be taken based on the findings.
Reliance Warehouses Found With Storage And Hygiene Lapses
An inspection of the Reliance Retail warehouse opposite Chhapak Water Park in Mauza Jaithuli, Patna City, found food items stored in open, exposed conditions inside the cold storage area.
Officials also reported unclean premises and the presence of pigeons inside the storage facility, raising concerns about hygiene. A sample of malai paneer was collected and sent to a laboratory for analysis.
At another Reliance Retail facility in Didarganj, Gaurichak, officials found food and non-food products stored together. The premises also lacked a hygienic environment suitable for food storage.
Samples of turmeric powder and chilli powder were collected for laboratory testing.
Both establishments received improvement notices under Section 32 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, directing them to rectify the deficiencies within 14 days and submit proof of compliance to the Designated Officer.
Failure to comply within the stipulated period could lead to suspension of their food licences, followed by possible cancellation proceedings under the applicable rules.
Flipkart Warehouse: 293 Tea Packets Restricted
At Flipkart’s warehouse in Bihta, officials found discrepancies between the batch numbers printed on 500-gram packets of Tata Tea Gold and those marked on the outer cartons.
The sale of 293 packets, with an estimated value of Rs 84,970, was prohibited. A statutory sample of the tea was collected for quality testing.
Officials also found several food products stored without appropriate conditions. These included:
- 31 pieces of cake and pastry
- 170 packets of flour
- 70 packets of cookies
- 60 packets of coffee
- 24 packets of chips
- Various breakfast cereals
The products, valued at an estimated Rs 48,210, were handed over by the concerned agency to an authorised company for destruction.
In addition, 550 dirty and damaged tote boxes, valued at Rs 2,67,500, were found at the warehouse. Their use was prohibited with immediate effect.
Samples of Tata Tea Gold and Tata Turmeric Powder were also collected. Further action will depend on the laboratory reports and applicable rules.
BigBasket Warehouse Receives Improvement Notice
Food safety officials also inspected the BigBasket warehouse at Manghupur Chiraura in Patna.
Samples of Vegan Tofu Gold, barbecue sauce and cumin powder were collected and sent to a laboratory for quality testing.
The inspection also found that health certificates for warehouse staff were unavailable and that the premises lacked an adequate drainage system.
The Designated Officer issued a 14-day improvement notice directing the establishment to address the deficiencies.
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Department Warns Food Businesses Against Non-Compliance
The Food Safety Department said it would continue inspections to ensure compliance with standards governing food quality, hygiene and safe storage.
It also warned food business operators that negligence in maintaining food safety standards would not be tolerated, stressing their responsibility to provide consumers with safe and high-quality food products.
