Amazon Ordered to Hand Over Expired Food Products Amid Licence Dispute

The Bombay High Court has directed Amazon to hand over expired and spoiled food products from its warehouse in Bhiwandi, Thane district, to the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for disposal.

The order comes as part of a dispute between Amazon and the FDA regarding the suspension of the facility's food business license. The regulator had alleged that expired food products meant for destruction were being sold in the retail market instead of being disposed of.

A bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad directed Amazon to prepare a detailed inventory of all expired and perished goods stored at the warehouse and submit it to the FDA. The regulator has been asked to dispose of the products in accordance with applicable laws and procedures, with the cost borne by Amazon.

This is not the first time the court has criticized the FDA's actions in this case. During an earlier hearing, the bench remarked that the FDA appeared to be 'trying to kill a mosquito with a sword', suggesting that enforcement measures should be implemented in a more balanced and systematic manner.