Archive · 16 Aug 2026
Rat in ice cream crate sparks outrage; food licence suspended
An online video showed a real, live rat inside a crate where ice cream was stored at a delivery warehouse in Kalyan, India.
The warehouse is used by a quick-commerce company that sends grocery orders to people's homes super fast.
Many people who shop for groceries online felt upset and worried after seeing the video.
They were concerned that their food might be dirty or unsafe.
The FDA, the government office that checks food safety, saw the problem and took action.
It suspended the warehouse's food licence starting on July 27, 2026, so the warehouse could not sell or handle food.
The FDA warned that strict legal action would follow if the warehouse kept working during that time.
In a separate case, the FDA also suspended a food business in Malad, a neighbourhood in Mumbai.
Inspectors there found rats, food stored on dirty floors and racks, and poorly kept cold storage.
The FDA is doing all this to keep people's food clean and safe.
A viral video showed a live rat inside an ice cream storage crate at a quick-commerce delivery hub in Kalyan's Godrej Hill area, sparking outrage over hygiene at fast-delivery hubs.
The unit's food licence was suspended with immediate effect from July 27, 2026, until further orders, barring it from selling, distributing, or conducting food business.
Regulators warned that strict legal action will be pursued if the establishment operates during the suspension period.
Separately, FDA Maharashtra suspended a Malad (West), Mumbai establishment's licence after an August 7 inspection revealed rodents and other serious food safety violations.
Inspectors recorded improper storage, food on contaminated racks or the floor, inadequate cold storage, expired or damaged goods, and missing health records for food handlers.
- Who
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Maharashtra, which suspended food licences, and residents and online grocery shoppers in Kalyan who demanded action.
- What
- A live rat was found inside an ice cream storage crate at a quick-commerce delivery hub, prompting licence suspensions over food safety violations.
- When
- The licence suspension took effect July 27, 2026, until further orders; the Malad facility inspection was conducted on August 7.
- Where
- Kalyan's Godrej Hill area and Malad (West), Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- Why
- Regulators found rodents, unhygienic conditions, improper storage, and other violations of food safety standards.
- Incident
- Live rat spotted inside an ice cream storage crate at a quick-commerce delivery hub
- Video location
- Godrej Hill area, Kalyan, Maharashtra
- Licence suspension
- Effective July 27, 2026, until further orders; prohibits selling, distributing, or conducting any food business
- Warning
- Strict legal action will be pursued if the establishment operates during the suspension
- Malad inspection date
- August 7, conducted by Food Safety Officers
- Malad facility
- Sarvodaya Bhuvan, Ramchandra Lane, Malad (West), Mumbai
- Recorded violations
- Rodents, unhygienic conditions, improper storage, food on contaminated racks or floor, inadequate cold storage, expired or damaged goods, poor waste management, missing health records of food handlers
- Legal basis
- Section 32(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and FSS (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011
