Maharashtra FDA seals 4 Domino's outlets over food safety violations

In a significant crackdown on food hygiene, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sealed four Domino's Pizza outlets across the state after raids uncovered multiple safety violations. The action follows inspections that found substandard storage practices, pest infestations, and poor kitchen hygiene at the franchise locations.

The FDA's enforcement drive, which has been intensifying over recent months, targeted popular quick-service restaurants and local eateries alike. Officials confirmed that licences of three outlets in Mumbai were suspended immediately, while the fourth, located in Pune, faced similar action. The agency also seized stock worth ₹41.36 lakh from various food establishments in Pune and Sangli as part of a broader statewide operation.

Raids reveal systemic lapses

Inspectors conducting the raids reported finding expired ingredients, improper waste disposal, and inadequate cold storage at the sealed outlets. In some cases, kitchen floors were found soiled, and food preparation areas failed to meet basic sanitation standards. The FDA has not yet disclosed the full list of violations, but officials indicated that the findings were serious enough to warrant immediate suspension of licences.

A senior FDA official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the agency has adopted a zero-tolerance approach towards food safety breaches. "We are not just issuing warnings anymore. If an establishment fails to comply with the Food Safety and Standards Act, we will shut it down," the official said. The Domino's franchisee has been given a notice to rectify the issues, though the timeline for reopening remains unclear.

Domino's response and consumer impact

Domino's India, operated by Jubilant FoodWorks, has not yet issued a formal statement regarding the suspensions. However, the company is expected to cooperate with the FDA and conduct its own internal audit of the affected outlets. The sealed stores in Mumbai include locations in busy commercial areas, which have been closed for business since the raids, leaving regular customers surprised and concerned.

Local residents expressed mixed reactions. Some welcomed the strict action, saying it was long overdue. Others worried about the impact on small franchise owners who may have been unaware of the lapses. "We come here every week," said a regular customer outside one of the sealed outlets in Andheri. "It is shocking to think that the food we have been eating may not have been safe."

Wider crackdown on eateries

The Domino's action is part of a larger FDA campaign that has seen licences of 12 food establishments suspended in Pune and Sangli. The seizures, valued at ₹41.36 lakh, included packaged food items, dairy products, and raw materials that were either expired or stored in unhygienic conditions. The agency has been conducting surprise checks across the state, targeting both national chains and local restaurants.

This drive is led by a veteran FDA officer who has been transferred 20 times in 21 years, earning a reputation for relentless enforcement. His methods have rattled the food industry, with several high-profile outlets facing action in recent weeks. The officer's approach has been praised by consumer rights groups but has also drawn criticism from some business owners who claim the crackdown is overly aggressive.

What lies ahead

The FDA has stated that the sealed Domino's outlets will remain closed until they pass a fresh inspection and demonstrate compliance with all safety norms. The agency is also expected to expand its raids to other cities in Maharashtra, including Nagpur and Nashik. Consumers are advised to check the hygiene ratings of restaurants, which the FDA has been publishing online as part of its transparency initiative. The coming weeks will show whether this enforcement drive brings lasting change to the state's food industry.