Raids on Dark Stores in Bengaluru Result in Seizure of Expired and Mislabelled Food by Karnataka Food Department

Bengaluru Authorities Conduct Raids on Amazon and Swiggy Instamart Dark Stores, Seizing Expired Food Products

In a recent operation, the Karnataka Food Safety Department has raided various “dark stores” operated by Amazon and Swiggy Instamart in Bengaluru, resulting in the seizure of expired and mislabelled food products. The authorities discovered goods valued at approximately ₹1.43 crore (around $173,000).

The raids were initiated as part of a larger initiative to ensure food safety and adhere to health regulations within the state. Inspectors checked multiple locations, where they found a range of expired items being sold without proper labelling, raising concerns about consumer health and safety.

Dark stores, which are primarily used for online food delivery, have increasingly come under scrutiny. The Karnataka government is also contemplating new guidelines that would govern the sale and pricing of online medicines amid rising concerns over the circulatory of expired medicinal products alongside food items.

The raids highlight ongoing efforts by state authorities to combat the distribution of unsafe food products and reinforce regulations within the online retail sector. The findings from these inspections may lead to further regulatory actions and increased oversight of e-commerce businesses dealing with food and medicines in Karnataka.

As the situation develops, both Amazon and Swiggy are expected to respond to the allegations and address the compliance issues raised by the authorities.