Maharashtra FDA suspends licences of four Domino’s outlets over hygiene lapses

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food business licences of four Domino’s Pizza outlets, including three in Mumbai, after inspections detected violations of food safety and hygiene requirements. The three Mumbai outlets are located at Vile Parle West, Borivali West and R-City Mall in Ghatkopar West, while the fourth outlet is in Malkapur in Satara district. The action was taken during a special inspection drive conducted by the FDA between July 10 and August 11, covering 104 outlets of major restaurant chains across Maharashtra.

Inspections flag multiple lapses

At the Vile Parle outlet, officials found deficiencies related to potable water, food storage, pest-control measures and hygiene facilities. The outlet was also directed to strengthen temperature monitoring for frozen products, properly segregate food and non-food materials and improve hand-washing and sanitation arrangements. The Borivali outlet was found to have shortcomings in food storage, cleanliness, pest control, temperature monitoring and food testing. Inspectors also sought proper segregation of raw and cooked food as well as vegetarian and non-vegetarian items. At the Domino’s outlet in R-City Mall, Ghatkopar, the FDA flagged deficiencies in cleaning and sanitation procedures and pest-control documentation. Officials also found shortcomings in following inventory practices intended to ensure that older and earlier-expiring products are used first.

Issues concerning food-grade certification, equipment calibration, preventive maintenance and food and water testing records were also identified during the inspection. The Malkapur outlet in Satara district was found to have shortcomings involving infrastructure, equipment, cleanliness and pest-control measures.

Part of wider FDA drive

The action against Domino’s is part of a broader crackdown on food establishments and chain restaurants across Maharashtra. During the inspection campaign, the FDA issued improvement notices to 95 establishments. Two establishments were ordered to stop operations, while five food business licences were suspended. The drive covered outlets belonging to several major restaurant and food chains, with officials examining compliance with requirements governing hygiene, food storage, sanitation, pest control and other safety practices. The affected Domino’s outlets will have to rectify the deficiencies identified by the authorities and meet the prescribed food safety requirements before being allowed to resume operations.