Quick commerce platform Zepto has been facing serious scrutiny over food safety violations after several reports surfaced, claiming the delivery of rotten groceries and unhygienic warehouse conditions. Amid this controversy, a former Zepto employee has also weighed in. In a post on Reddit, he highlighted the truth behind the start-up’s working process.
“The reality is disgusting,” he said, who claims to have worked at Zepto for three years. “I can’t stay silent anymore,” he said, while sharing one incident. “Once a customer ordered Greek yogurt. We had only 3 left. All were expired. Still, our store in-charge said, ‘Give it anyway. People think Zepto is hygienic. It’s not. The reality is disgusting.”
He alleged that Pune store floods with “gutter water – right where groceries are packed”. “We have 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 ex-employee strongly asserted that Zepto’s operations are not just “unhygienic, but also unethical”.
Zepto Under Fire
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suspended Zepto’s licence for its Dharavi facility in early June after inspectors discovered multiple hygiene failings: fungal growth on food items, expired stock intermixed with fresh products, cold storage at improper temperatures, food placed directly on wet or filthy floors, and storage next to stagnant water.
Zepto promptly appealed the decision. A hearing on 13 June 2025 reviewed the company’s internal audit, water analysis, and photographic evidence of revamped hygiene protocols and upgraded storage conditions.
However, the operations were later resumed following the revocation of a previous suspension order by the FDA. The decision was taken after a detailed re-inspection and the submission of a compliance report demonstrating that all required corrective actions had been implemented.
The Appellate Authority reviewed Zepto’s Internal Audit Report, Water Analysis Report, and supporting photographic evidence before allowing the appeal.
