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Tag: FDA

  • Zepto’s Food License Axed by Maharashtra FDA in Mumbai’s Dharavi

    Due to non-compliance with food safety regulations, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Maharashtra’s food safety agency, suspended Zepto’s food business licence in Mumbai’s Dharavi area on June 1, 2025, according to a prominent media outlet.

    The report claims that during a recent inspection, the food safety agency discovered fungal growth on specific food products, inadequate cold storage temperature control, and a lack of a clear distinction between legitimate and expired goods.

    Additionally, the food safety regulator discovered that some food items were kept close to some clogged and stagnant water and that the food products were directly stored on damp and muddy floors.

    According to the news source, the FDA Minister of Maharashtra, Yogen Kadam, provided information that prompted the food safety inspection.

    Zepto’s Negligence Leads to a Stringent Action

    Kiranakart Technologies, the firm that runs Zepto, was found to have violated the Food Safety and Standards Act (2006) and the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, according to a news site story that cited the government.

    According to a statement from the Maharashtra FDA that was quoted in the news article, the results show that the license’s terms have not been followed. Thus, in accordance with Section 32(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and Regulation 2.1.8(4) of the Licensing and Registration Regulations, 2011, Assistant Commissioner for Food Anupamaa Balasaheb Patil issued an order for immediate suspension.

    The authorities also stated that unless the facility reaches complete compliance and receives approval from the licensing authority, the food activities would continue to be suspended.

    Zepto Now Filling the Rectified Gaps

    In reaction to the news site, Zepto stated that they are dedicated to “rectifying” the “lapses identified” and implementing the required corrective actions in order to resume operations in the area.

    A representative for the company formally said that it is dedicated to fixing the flaws found and fortifying its procedures in order to give customers the highest and safest-quality products possible. Zepto is taking the required corrective action to get back to business as soon as possible in compliance with legal requirements and regulatory requirements.

    Zepto is committed to upholding the highest standards of food safety and cleanliness. In order to guarantee complete and prompt compliance, the spokesman further stated that the company has already started an internal examination and is collaborating closely with the relevant authorities.

    Zepto’s food licence suspension by the FDA is the most recent in a string of setbacks for the firm. Zepto recently suspended Zepto Cafe at 44 locations and witnessed a strike by its delivery partners in Hyderabad, both of which will have an effect on the company and its prospects for future expansion.

    These setbacks occur while the business is getting ready to go public and has been accumulating capital from domestic investors to create a corporation that is entirely owned by Indians.

  • Why FDA might ban Menthol cigarettes in USA

    The Food and Drug Administration of the United States has announced a plan to ban menthol cigarettes and cigars with flavors by next year. Let’s look at why the FDA is planning to ban menthol cigarettes in the country.

    About The ban
    Reason for the Ban
    What Research Suggests
    Downsides of the Ban
    FAQ

    About The ban

    On 29 April 2021, the United States Food and Drug Administration had announced its plans to ban the menthol cigarettes and the cigars with flavour additives within the next year.

    Xavier Becerra who is the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) had said in a statement that the science-based decision is the reflection of the administration of Biden in order to commit towards the improvement of the health of all Americans.

    He also added saying that this step will help to tackle the differences in health in the most marginalized communities.

    Reason for the Ban

    In the United States, Menthol is the only flavour that is allowed to be used in cigarettes which are marketed in the country according to the 2009 Tobacco Control Act (TCA). The main reason for the ban of Menthol Cigarettes is a step taken by the agency to try to take action to reduce the addiction to tobacco and to reduce the deaths related to smoking.

    In order to achieve the above goal, the Food and Drug Administration believes that the ban on menthol cigarettes would help. There are strong pieces of evidence that the ban on menthol cigarettes will help people quit smoking.

    The FDA said in a statement that certain studies show that menthol increases the need for tobacco and it also leads to regular smoking, which is particularly seen in the youth and the young adults. The agency had further added saying that the menthol cigarettes will cover the unpleasant flavours and the harshness of tobacco products which leads to an increase in their consumption.

    FDA to Ban Menthol cigarettes
    FDA to Ban Menthol cigarettes

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    What Research Suggests

    In certain studies, it is found that there are more blacks for the use of menthol cigarettes. According to The New York Times, since the year 1950, the menthol cigarettes have been marketed to the smokers of the black community in the United States.

    According to a report that is noted by the FDA, In the United States, there are around 18.6 million users of menthol cigarettes and out of which 85 % of the consumption is done by black smokers and the rest are white smokers.

    As per a study which was published in the BMJ Journals, around 21. 5 % of the people in the Canadian provinces had quit smoking due to the ban of menthol cigarettes in seven provinces and around 59.1 % of the smokers switched to non-menthol cigarettes.

    The study had noted that the smokers of menthol cigarettes were more likely to quit smoking when compared to the non-menthol smokers to make an attempt to quit.

    Even though there are likely chances for a menthol cigarette smoker to switch to non-menthol cigarettes, the ban of menthol cigarettes is associated with quit attempts at a higher rate and also quit success with menthol smokers compared to non-menthol smokers.

    The study noted that the ban on menthol cigarettes has helped the menthol smokers to prevent the relapse towards smoking by the ones who had quit before the ban.

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    Downsides of the Ban

    There are certain downsides as well due to the ban on menthol cigarettes. As per certain critics, the banning of menthol cigarettes may not achieve the expected results among smokers and may lead to a black market for the menthol cigarettes.

    Legal and Advocacy Organization (ACLU) had written a letter to Becerra after the announcement of the FDA’s decision. In the letter, ACLU has conveyed that the ban on menthol cigarettes would lead to serious implications on racial justice.

    FAQ

    Is menthol FDA approved?

    FDA and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is planning To Ban Menthol Cigarettes in the United States.

    Are newports menthol?

    Newports is an American brand of menthol cigarettes, currently owned and manufactured by the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company.

    What does FDA stand for?

    FDA stands for Food and Drug Administration.

    Conclusion

    The decision of the FDA towards the ban of menthol cigarettes is a significant step taken by the commission on the health of the citizens in the country. The letter had said that the ban would trigger criminal penalties which would impact the people on the basis of colour disproportionately.