Something Rotten…
Imagine ordering milk, bread or fruit that arrives in just 10 minutes — but when you open the bag, the food is spoiled, expired or even covered in fungus. This is happening to more people who use quick-delivery apps.
These companies keep food in special storage centres called dark stores. They are not like normal grocery shops because customers never go inside. They are also different from ordinary warehouses. They are a new kind of business, created just to send online orders out as fast as possible.
The problem is that India’s food regulator, FSSAI, still treats dark stores like any other food business. There are no special rules for how they should store food or how often they should be checked. Inspections often happen only after someone complains. Experts also say the fines for breaking the rules are too small to worry big companies.
Dark stores have already been criticised for causing traffic and parking problems in busy neighbourhoods. But there is an even bigger issue: making sure the food they deliver is fresh and safe to eat. As quick delivery becomes a part of everyday life, the rules must keep up. Fast delivery should never come at the cost of food safety.
Disclaimer
Views expressed above are the author’s own.
