Surat : Zepto Dark Store Raided, Expired Food Destroyed

SURAT :  A surprise inspection at a Zepto dark store in Surat has raised serious food-safety concerns after municipal officials allegedly found expired buttermilk and stale bread stored for delivery to customers.

The Surat Municipal Corporation’s Health and Food Department raided Zepto Limited’s supply warehouse in the Jalaram Society area of Gorat following complaints from local residents.

During the inspection, food safety officers allegedly found 60 litres of expired Sumul buttermilk along with a large quantity of expired and substandard bread packets. Officials said the products were unfit for consumption and could have reached customers through online orders.

The municipal team seized the food items and destroyed them on the spot using scientific methods.

The discovery comes amid growing scrutiny of food quality at quick-commerce warehouses, where platforms compete to deliver groceries and food products within minutes.

Officials said the storage of expired food products amounted to a violation of food safety and hygiene requirements.

“The expired and unfit food items were seized and destroyed to prevent them from reaching consumers,” officials said.

The SMC has imposed a ₹25,000 fine on Zepto Limited and issued a show-cause notice to the company’s management over alleged violations of food safety regulations and sanitation norms.

The action also highlights the responsibility of quick-commerce companies to maintain proper inventory checks, storage conditions and expiry-date monitoring at dark stores.

The Food Department is expected to continue inspections of online food and grocery delivery facilities across Surat.

“Strict action will be taken wherever food quality and public health are compromised,” officials said.

The raid follows recent concerns over food quality involving another quick-commerce platform in Surat, increasing pressure on delivery companies to ensure that speed does not come at the cost of food safety.