Amazon Ordered to Hand Over Expired Food Stock Amid Licence Dispute with Maharashtra FDA

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

The court's directive comes amid a dispute between Amazon and the FDA over the suspension of the facility's food business licence. The regulator alleged that expired food products meant for destruction were being routed into the retail market instead of being disposed of, leading to the suspension of the licence.

Amazon has challenged the action before the High Court, claiming that FDA officials inspected the warehouse on June 24 and suspended its licence the next day without issuing an improvement notice. The regulator subsequently cancelled the licence, prompting Amazon's petition against the decision.

The court has directed the FDA to file its affidavit in response to Amazon's petition by August 27, when the matter is expected to be taken up again. In a previous hearing, the High Court had criticised the FDA for its actions, remarking that it 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.