The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken action against four Domino’s Pizza outlets after inspections found several food safety and hygiene violations.
Three of the affected outlets are in Mumbai — Vile Parle West, Borivali West and R-City Mall in Ghatkopar West.
The fourth outlet is located in Malkapur, Satara district.
The action is part of a larger food safety inspection drive covering major restaurant chains across Maharashtra.
What Problems Did the FDA Find?
During the inspections, officials found several issues related to food storage, cleanliness, pest control, temperature monitoring and food testing.
At the Vile Parle West outlet, inspectors found problems with drinking water facilities, food storage, pest control and general hygiene.
The outlet was also told to improve the temperature monitoring of frozen food and keep food items properly separated from non-food materials.
Improvements were also ordered for the kitchen, food preparation areas and hand-washing facilities.
The Borivali West outlet was found to have issues with food storage, temperature checks, food testing, cleanliness and pest control.
Officials also instructed the outlet to properly separate raw and cooked food, as well as vegetarian and non-vegetarian food.
Cleaning and sanitisation of kitchen equipment and utensils also needed improvement.
Ghatkopar Outlet Failed Several Requirements
The Domino’s outlet at R-City Mall in Ghatkopar West was also found to have multiple shortcomings.
Inspectors reported problems with cleanliness, sanitation and pest control.
The outlet was also not properly following FIFO and FEFO practices for food storage.
These systems are used to ensure older food products and items nearing their expiry are used first.
The FDA also found missing certificates and records related to equipment calibration, preventive maintenance, and food and water testing.
Fourth Outlet in Satara Also Faces Action
The FDA also suspended the food business licence of a Domino’s outlet in Malkapur, Satara.
Officials found several violations involving basic facilities, equipment, cleanliness and pest control.
The action against all four outlets comes as part of Maharashtra’s wider effort to check whether major restaurant chains are following food safety standards.
FDA Inspected 104 Restaurant Outlets
The special inspection drive covered 104 establishments belonging to major restaurant brands.
The inspected chains included Domino’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, Subway, Burger King, Starbucks and Monginis.
During the drive, authorities ordered two establishments to stop operations immediately and issued 95 improvement notices.
The food business licences of five establishments were also suspended with immediate effect.
The Maharashtra FDA has said that inspections and enforcement action will continue against businesses that fail to meet required food safety and hygiene standards.
Will the Domino’s Outlets Remain Permanently Closed?
The licence suspension does not necessarily mean that the affected outlets will remain permanently shut.
The outlets will need to correct the violations identified during the inspections and meet the required food safety standards.
Their licences can be restored after the authorities are satisfied that the necessary improvements have been made.
The action shows that food safety authorities are increasing scrutiny of major restaurant chains and taking action when businesses fail to follow required hygiene and safety rules.
