India, Aug. 14 -- The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reportedly suspended the licences of 14 "food business establishments" linked to quick commerce platforms Blinkit, Zepto and Instamart.

As per news agency PTI, the licences were suspended after a state-wide inspection drive uncovered widespread food safety and hygiene violations at multiple dark stores.

In total, the Maharashtra FDA reportedly inspected 86 dark stores selling and delivering food through online platforms. Five establishments, each of Zepto and Blinkit, and two others linked to Swiggy Instamart had their licences suspended.

In addition to the 14 licence suspensions, the regulator also issued 60 improvement notices and ordered the temporary stoppage ...