Licences of 4 Domino's Pizza outlets in Maharashtra suspended over ‘food storage

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suspended the licence of Sapphire Foods-operated Pizza Hut outlet at Karad in Satara district of the state over alleged violations of food safety and hygiene norms, officials said. Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe.

(Satish Bate/HT Photo)At the Pizza Hut outlet in Karad, the FDA found that separate ovens and pans were not being used to prepare vegetarian and non-vegetarian pizzas. The FDA's special drive covered 104 chain restaurant establishments across Maharashtra.

What Happened

Two establishments were ordered to stop operations, 95 were issued improvement notices, and the licences of five establishments were suspended, the FDA said. The drive covered brands such as KFC, Pizza Hut, McDonald's, Subway, Burger King, Starbucks, and Monginis.

• During another inspection at a Sapphire Foods outlet in Akola, the FDA seized 55 kg of frozen paneer, which it classified as misbranded and substandard.

• The establishment has been prohibited from selling or distributing food or carrying out any food business during the period of the licence suspension, according to a statement.

• The cold storage areas also lacked adequate cleanliness, and expired or spoiled packaged food was found at the facility.

Key Details

In Nashik district, the FDA suspended the licences of five food establishments - Hotel Sayali Restaurant and Bar in Satpur, Hotel Chhote Miyan on College Road, Mani Mark on Peth Road in Panchavati, Abhishek Bakery and Sweets in CIDCO and Mohanlal Namkeen.

• Officials found food items kept on rusted racks.

• The facility was found to have a large-scale cockroach infestation, improperly stored food, and expired and tampered products, HT reported earlier.

• This comes a day after the Maharashtra food safety and drug administration suspended the licence of Blinkit’s Malad (West) facility over serious food safety and hygiene violations.

Why It Matters

Inspections found shortcomings in basic facilities, cleanliness, water supply, ventilation, pest control and food storage.

• In Mumbai, the authority also suspended the licences of Mumbai Metro Dhaba in Mulund and Gulshan-Da-Punjabi Dhaba in Bhandup.

What Reports Say

Coverage of the story so far points to:

• Continued reporting by Hindustan Times as more details emerge