Rat Found in Blinkit Ice Cream Freezer in Thane, Sparks Food Safety Alarm

Quick commerce platforms have become a preferred place to buy anything, from daily groceries to snacks, customers rely on them for high standards of food and hygiene.

Though, in the past, we have come across various instances where the hygiene of those platforms has been questionable.

One such instance has again come to light in Maharashtra's Thane district, which raised questions over whether hygiene standards are being followed in these facilities or not.

A rat was allegedly spotted running inside an ice cream at a Blinkit's store in Kalyan's Godrej Hill area in Thane, leading to concerns over food safety and calls for action by the authorities.

As per reports, the incident was highlighted when a group of boys entered the store to buy ice cream. While browsing the freezer stocked with packaged products, they were shocked to find a rat running inside the compartment close to the food items.

Realizing the possible health risks, the group recorded videos of the incident on their mobile phones and uploaded them on social media.

Since then, the footage has caused outrage among local people, with many demanding strict action from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) against the store.

The incident came to light when the food authorities were already checking and investigating facilities connected to the quick-commerce platforms across Maharashtra.

Earlier, the Maharashtra FDA suspended the license of 14 such establishments linked to Blinkit, Lepto and Instamart after inspections across the state.

Officials checked 86 establishments that store, sell and deliver food through online platforms and found several food safety and hygiene problems.

The FDA also issued 60 improvement notices and ordered the temporary suspension of operations at one of the facilities. Out of the 14 suspended licenses, five belonged to facilities associated with Blinkit, five with Zepto and two with Instamart.