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Q-Com’s Dharavi hub suspended: Fungus & expired stock found
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Tuesday, 03 June, 2025, 13 : 00 PM [IST]
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Ashwin Bhadri
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A shocking revelation has brought warehouse practices of quick commerce (Q-Com) players into question. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently inspected a Q-Com hub in Dharavi and discovered fungal growth and expired stock in the inventory. Following the inspection, the hub’s license was immediately suspended. This incident has raised serious concerns about food quality and safety among both consumers and regulatory authorities, highlighting the urgent need for stringent guidelines in the quick commerce industry.
Over the past three to four years, Q-Com has experienced rapid growth, fuelled by rising demand for instant delivery of groceries, essentials, and household items. The urban middle class heavily relies on these services, and increasing competition has led companies to expand aggressively, with some now promising delivery in under ten minutes. However, this incident is deeply concerning. The race for market share appears to be coming at the cost of hygiene, proper inventory rotation, and safety protocols.
This alarming episode unfolded on May 30, during a routine inspection by the Mumbai FDA and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Inspectors discovered multiple violations at the Dharavi hub, including shelves stocked with expired packaged food, condiments, and nutritional supplements. Fresh produce and bakery items were also infested with visible fungal growth.
Some expired products dated back as far as eight months, raising serious concerns about Q-Com’s inventory management and supply chain practices. The presence of fungal contamination poses significant health risks. A senior food safety authority described the situation as "gross negligence," especially coming from a leading player in the quick commerce space.
After the inspection, the hub's management was served a show-cause notice, and the license was suspended until further notice. Regulatory authorities were quick to act, and rightly so. In response, Q-Com stated that it is working closely with the authorities to implement corrective measures. Industry players are encouraged to partner with food auditing and regulatory firms to adopt safe and compliant practices.
The news has shocked local residents and loyal consumers, many of whom relied on Q-Com for daily staples. A Dharavi resident expressed dismay, saying she regularly ordered milk and bread from the hub, unaware that expired and improperly stored stock was being delivered. The revelation has sparked doubts among consumers about hygiene standards at other Q-Com locations as well.
Consuming fungus-infested and expired food can result in serious health issues such as food poisoning, allergic reactions, and, in severe cases, mycotoxin-related illnesses. Children and individuals with compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable. These lapses are unacceptable—food safety must never be compromised.
The Dharavi incident is not isolated. Similar issues have occurred before, pointing to a troubling trend in the Q-Com sector. Companies are under immense pressure to cut costs and speed up deliveries, often reducing back-end staff, especially in warehousing. But in doing so, they are overlooking a critical responsibility: consumer food safety.
It is imperative for leading players to strike a balance between hygiene, timely deliveries, effective stock rotation, and adherence to food safety standards. Given that quick commerce typically operates in densely populated urban areas, where real estate costs are high, many hubs resort to sub-standard storage conditions. These issues can be avoided with proper infrastructure, well-trained staff, and real-time inventory tracking systems.
In light of the Dharavi case, the BMC has announced surprise inspections of other Q-Com hubs across Mumbai. This is a commendable and proactive move to prevent future lapses. Q-Com must now take full accountability for its poor warehouse practices.
Consumers are also urging authorities to intensify regulatory checks, especially since these platforms handle food items that directly affect public health. However, these enforcement measures must be consistent and long-term.
Q-Com must respond decisively by conducting a thorough internal audit across all facilities and recalling any questionable stock. Staff involved in inventory and storage must undergo rigorous training to ensure compliance with food safety norms.
This incident also serves as a warning to rival players in the Q-Com space. They must ensure strict adherence to safety protocols. Several competitors have already begun distancing themselves from the controversy by issuing statements affirming their commitment to hygiene and safety. However, mere claims are not enough—action, transparency, and consistent monitoring are essential.
Brands must be proactive, not reactive. Regular staff training, digital traceability tools, and collaboration with food safety experts will be critical. Consumers are more aware and vocal than ever before, and any oversight can lead to irreversible brand damage. The future of quick commerce depends on how responsibly these companies operate today.
The bigger concern now is the potential long-term reputational damage for Q-Com. In a market driven by convenience, consumer trust is the currency. A single breach, like the one in Dharavi, can ripple across brand perception, leading to a dip in daily orders, user churn, and even investor hesitation. Rebuilding that trust will require transparency, public communication of rectified processes, and consistent third-party verifications.
From a legal standpoint, Q-Com could face significant penalties or class-action lawsuits, especially if consumers come forward with health complaints linked to the expired stock. The company must also prepare for deeper regulatory scrutiny, with the likelihood of more frequent inspections and tighter compliance deadlines in the months to come.
The Q-Com industry must now ask a difficult but essential question: Can convenience and quality coexist? The answer lies in robust backend systems, proactive audits, digital inventory alerts, and staff accountability.
This is more than a local controversy—it’s a national case study in corporate responsibility. Food is not just a product; it’s a public trust. Q-Com players must remember that their core promise is not speed alone—it’s safety, reliability, and care.
What happened at the Q-Com Dharavi hub must never be repeated. It is a turning point—a moment to reassess, reset, and re-prioritise. The industry must place quality, safety, and accountability above all else. Only then can consumer trust be restored, reputations safeguarded, and sustainable growth achieved in the long run.
Beyond short-term damage control, Q-Com players must integrate a culture of safety and transparency at every level—from procurement to delivery. Routine third-party audits, public reporting of hygiene scores, and dedicated food safety officers should become standard practices. In this fast-paced sector, only those who prioritise health will earn lasting loyalty.
(The author is CEO at Equinox Labs)
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