Amazon Ordered to Hand Over Expired Food Products to Maharashtra FDA

A Bombay High Court has instructed Amazon Retail India to hand over all expired and spoiled food products stored at its warehouse in Bhiwandi, Thane district, to the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for disposal. The order is part of an ongoing dispute between Amazon and the FDA regarding the suspension of the facility's food business licence.

The court directed Amazon to prepare a detailed inventory of all expired goods stored at the warehouse and submit it to the concerned FDA officer. The regulator has been asked to dispose of the products in accordance with applicable laws and procedures, and the cost of disposal will be borne by Amazon.

The dispute stems from allegations made by the FDA that expired food products meant for destruction were being routed into the retail market instead of being disposed of. Amazon challenged the FDA's actions before the High Court, stating that it had not been given an improvement notice before its licence was suspended and subsequently cancelled.