‘I can’t stay silent anymore’: Former employee exposes food safety violations at Zepto

Zepto, once regarded as the dark horse in the quick commerce space, is now in hot water over claims of food safety violations. Multiple reports indicate rotten groceries were delivered and unsanitary warehouse conditions. The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration even suspended the company’s license.

Zepto employee reveals “ugly truth"

Amid the growing controversy, a former employee exposed the “ugly truth" behind the Aadit Palicha-led grocery startup’s working process, adding concerns about its operations and commitment to consumer safety.

“I worked at Zepto for 3 years—and I can’t stay silent anymore," a former employee wrote in a now-viral Reddit post. “Once, a customer ordered Greek yoghurt. We had only three left—all expired. Still, our store in-charge said, ‘Give it anyway.’"

“People think Zepto is hygienic. It’s not. The reality is disgusting. Every monsoon, our Pune store floods with gutter water—right where your groceries are packed. We’ve worked 9+ hours standing in that dirty water without shoes. Many of us fell sick, but no one got medical compensation. Fruits and vegetables come in damaged and rotting—we’re still told to pack and deliver them. Expired products are sent without hesitation," he added.

The employee claimed that Zepto’s operations are not just unhygienic but also unethical, adding that the customers deserve to know the truth.

I Worked at Zepto for 3 Years. Here’s the Ugly Truth. - Post from r/FuckZepto
byu/lvalue_required inpune

Netizens react

The post went quickly viral, sparking reactions from users. One wrote, “Blinkit and Bigbasket are way better than shady sites; I don’t know why customers order from them," while another added, “Eggs are always spoiled when ordered online."

“These apps were supposed to make our lives easier, but they’re doing the opposite. Delayed orders, poor customer support, and no accountability. I’ve had enough; I’ve deleted them all," an individual commented.

Earlier this month, the Maharashtra FDA suspended the food business license of Zepto in Mumbai’s Dharavi for alleged non-compliance with food safety standards.

When authorities raided a Zepto facility, they found fungal growth on food items, inadequate cold storage, unhygienic surroundings, and unexpired stock.

The FDA reported that the cold storage units did not maintain the prescribed temperature norms needed for preserving perishable food items. It also stated that the floors were wet and unclean, and some food products were lying directly on the ground, thereby increasing the risk of contamination.

Also read: ZOFF Foods partners with Reliance Retail to launch ready-to-cook ‘Quick Homestyle Food’ range (startuppedia.in)