Maharashtra FDA Suspends Licences Of 4 Domino’s Outlets Over Food Safety Violations

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food business licences of four Domino’s Pizza outlets in the state after inspections uncovered multiple food safety and hygiene violations. Three of the affected outlets are in Mumbai, while the fourth is located in Malkapur in Satara district.

The action was taken as part of a special food-safety enforcement drive conducted between July 10 and August 11, during which the FDA inspected establishments operated by several major restaurant chains. The wider drive covered 104 establishments associated with brands including Domino’s Pizza, KFC, Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, Subway, Burger King, Starbucks and Monginis.

The four Domino’s outlets facing licence suspension are located at Vile Parle West, Borivali West and R-City Mall in Ghatkopar West in Mumbai, along with the Malkapur outlet in Satara’s Karad area. The outlets are operated by Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd.

At the Vile Parle West outlet, FDA officials flagged deficiencies involving potable water testing, food storage, pest control, hygiene facilities and temperature monitoring of frozen and other food products. Inspectors also pointed to inadequate segregation and disposal of food and non-food items and called for repairs to parts of the kitchen, including the back door, flooring and chilling room.

The outlet was also directed to strengthen facilities for food preparation, equipment sanitisation and hand-washing, besides taking measures to prevent rodents and other pests from entering the premises.

The Borivali West outlet recorded a 54 per cent compliance score, with inspectors identifying deficiencies in food storage, temperature monitoring, food testing, hygiene and pest control. The FDA directed the outlet to ensure proper segregation of raw and cooked food, as well as vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. It also ordered improvements in cleaning, sanitation, flooring, lighting and pest-control measures.

At the R-City Mall outlet in Ghatkopar West, officials found inadequate hygiene and sanitation arrangements, along with the absence of a proper cleaning and sanitation schedule. Pest infestation and inadequate pest-control measures and records were also flagged.

The Malkapur outlet in Satara recorded an even lower 47 per cent compliance score. The FDA identified deficiencies related to infrastructure, equipment, cleanliness and pest control and directed the outlet to improve storage systems for raw food, conduct laboratory testing of food products and maintain the required records.

The broader enforcement drive resulted in two establishments having their operations halted immediately, 95 improvement notices being issued and five food business licences being suspended. The fifth suspended licence belonged to a Sapphire Foods India Ltd. outlet in Karad, which operates chains including KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell.

The FDA's latest action comes amid an intensified food-safety crackdown across Maharashtra. According to the department, between May 25 and July 31, officials inspected 3,137 hotels, restaurants, eateries and other food establishments across Mumbai, issued 764 improvement notices and suspended 165 licences. Food products weighing 28.66 lakh kg, valued at around ₹55.72 crore, were also seized or destroyed during the period.

The regulator has said inspections will continue and strict action will be taken against food businesses found violating prescribed food safety and hygiene norms.

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