Maharashtra FDA suspends licences of 4 Domino's Pizza outlets

New Delhi: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food business licences of four Domino's Pizza outlets in the state including three in Mumbai for alleged violations of food safety and hygiene norms, officials said on Wednesday.

The fourth outlet is located in Satara district of western Maharashtra, said the FDA headed by IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe in a statement, adding that the action was part of a special drive against chain restaurants.

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In Mumbai, action was taken against Domino's Pizza outlets of Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd at Vile Parle West, Borivali West and at R-City Mall in Ghatkopar West during a special drive against chain restaurants, it said.

The Domino's Pizza outlet in Vile Parle had deficiencies related to the display of its FSSAI licence, potable water, food storage, pest control and hygiene facilities, the FDA said, adding that it was directed to ensure proper temperature monitoring of frozen food, segregation of food and non-food items, rodent and pest prevention and adequate hand-washing and hygiene facilities.

At the Borivali outlet, the FDA found 15 per cent non-compliance, and directed corrective measures covering food storage, temperature monitoring, food testing, cleanliness and pest control. It also sought proper segregation of raw and cooked food as well as vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, and regular sanitisation of equipment and utensils.

The Ghatkopar outlet was found deficient in cleanliness, sanitation scheduling and pest control measures, besides failing to follow FIFO (First In, First Out) and FEFO (First Expired, First Out) practices and maintain proper temperature control in food storage, the FDA said.

The authority also flagged the absence of food-grade certificates and records relating to calibration, preventive maintenance, food and water testing and food safety.

The licenses of Domino's Pizza outlet operated by Jubilant FoodWorks at Malkapur and two other fast-food outlets operated by Sapphire Foods India at Karad in Satara district were also suspended, the FDA said.

The Malkapur outlet was found to have about 40 per cent non-compliance, with deficiencies in basic facilities, equipment, cleanliness and pest control, it claimed. At the Karad establishments, the FDA prescribed corrective measures for pizza preparation, including separate ovens and proper segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian pizzas, separate pans, and appropriate labelling of sauces and pizza toppings with packing and expiry dates.

The FDA also took action against an outlet of Sapphire Foods India in Akola district of Vidarbha region for the alleged use of frozen paneer and substandard food items.

The special drive covered 104 chain restaurant establishments across Maharashtra. Two establishments were ordered to stop business, 95 were served improvement notices, and licences of five establishments were suspended, the FDA said.

The drive covered brands including Domino's Pizza, KFC, Pizza Hut, McDonald's, Subway, Burger King, Starbucks and Monginis.

In Nashik district, the FDA suspended licences of five food establishments. They included 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 in Dindori. It cited deficiencies related to cleanliness, food storage, water, equipment and pest control, among others.

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In Mumbai, the authority also suspended the licences of Mumbai Metro Dhaba in Mulund and Gulshan-Da-Punjabi Dhaba in Bhandup after inspections found shortcomings in basic facilities, cleanliness, water, ventilation, pest control and food storage.

Overall, the FDA inspected as many as 104 outlets of fast food chains across Maharashtra, ordering immediate closure of two of them and suspending the license of five. It also issued improvement notices to 95 outlets.

Besides, the authority inspected 120 other hotelling establishments over the past few days, issued 54 improvement notices and suspended 11 food business licences, it said.

The authority has launched a massive crackdown against violations of food safety and hygiene norms at food establishments including famous hotels and clubs ever since Mundhe took over as FDA commissioner in May.

It raided 12 places where milk, dairy products, edible oil and spices were stored or sold, and seized 5,343 kg of substandard items with a market value of Rs 9,80,990, the statement said.

The FDA also conducted raids on 15 places where banned products like gutka (tobacco mix), scented supari and analogue paneer were stored. Police cases were registered against 12 units and 15 persons arrested. The authority sealed nine establishments after the raids and seized stock worth Rs 25.96 lakh

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