Rajasthan Food Dept Raids Zepto Store In Jaipur

Around 1,550 packets of dairy products, 100 kg of damaged food items and 7 kg of expired food products were destroyed on the spot.

What Is A Dark Store: A dark store is a warehouse-style facility used exclusively for fulfilling online orders — unlike a regular retail shop, it isn't open to walk-in customers and exists purely to stock and quickly dispatch items for quick-commerce delivery apps like Zepto, which promise deliveries within minutes. Because these stores handle high volumes of perishable goods like dairy in a compressed turnaround time, proper cold-storage and hygiene compliance is critical — lapses here can affect large numbers of daily orders before problems are caught.

Acting on the instructions of Principal Secretary (Medical and Health) Gayatri Rathore and under the guidance of Commissioner (Food Safety and Drug Control) Avichal Chaturvedi, a central team from the Jaipur headquarters inspected the warehouse of M/s J.D.S. Marketing, located in A-Block at Ramnagaria Vistar in Jagatpura.

The inspection was conducted in the presence of Joint Commissioner Vijay Prakash Sharma.

Storage Temperature Violations

During the inspection, the team found that the prescribed temperature conditions required for the safe storage of dairy products in the cold room and deep freezer were not being maintained.

The temperature recorded at the facility ranged between 6 and 14°C.

In view of the storage conditions, around 1,550 packets of milk, curd and buttermilk, including products of brands such as Saras and Amul, were destroyed on-site.

Damaged And Expired Products Found

The inspection team also found around 100 kg of damaged food products stored in the warehouse without the mandatory 'Not for Sale' markings.

These products were destroyed at the site.

In addition, around 7 kg of expired food products, including muesli, candy and bhujia, were found among products intended for sale.

The expired products were seized and destroyed on-site by the department.

Sanitation Failures At The Facility

The inspection also revealed serious sanitation-related shortcomings at the facility.

Traces of spit containing paan masala and zarda were found around the dark store and cold room, while dirt and spit marks were observed on the walls.

Several iron racks used for storing food products were also found to be broken, dirty and rusted.

The officials directed the store management to take immediate corrective measures and ensure proper food storage, temperature control and sanitation.

Samples Sent For Lab Testing

To assess the quality and safety of food products, the central team collected samples of Pintola peanut butter and honey in the presence of store manager Kailash Chand Meena.

The samples have been sent to the State Central Food Laboratory for analysis.

If the laboratory reports indicate adulteration or establish that the products do not conform to the prescribed standards, legal action will be taken against the concerned firm under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act.

Joint Commissioner Vijay Prakash Sharma issued a notice to the dark store operator and directed immediate improvements in food storage, temperature control and sanitation systems.

500 Daily Orders From This Facility

According to officials, around 500 orders are delivered daily from the facility.

The Food Safety and Drug Control Department has reiterated that compliance with food safety and hygiene standards is mandatory for all stores and warehouses involved in the online supply and delivery of food products.

The department said strict action will be taken against establishments found violating prescribed food safety standards and that enforcement drives will continue across Rajasthan under the 'Shuddh Aahar – Milawat Par Vaar' campaign.

(With inputs from IANS)