A food safety inspection across Maharashtra has put several major restaurant chains under the scanner. The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food business licences of four Domino’s Pizza outlets after inspections found multiple violations related to hygiene, food storage, pest control and food safety procedures.
Three of the affected outlets are in Mumbai. They are located in Vile Parle West, Borivali West and R-City Mall in Ghatkopar West. A fourth outlet in Malkapur, in Satara district, has also faced licence suspension.
The action comes as part of a wider inspection drive targeting major restaurant chains across the state. The latest crackdown shows that even large and well-known food brands are being subjected to stricter scrutiny over kitchen conditions and compliance with food safety rules. Maharashtra’s FDA has stepped up inspections of food establishments in recent months, with several prominent eateries facing action over alleged hygiene and safety lapses.
Four Domino’s Outlets Face Licence Suspension
According to the inspection findings provided by the FDA, the action against Domino’s involved several areas of food safety management. The Vile Parle West outlet was found to have deficiencies concerning potable water, food storage, pest-control arrangements and hygiene facilities. Officials also directed the outlet to strengthen temperature monitoring for frozen food and maintain proper separation between food and non-food items.
The restaurant was further asked to improve its kitchen infrastructure, food preparation areas and hand-washing facilities. These may sound like routine requirements, but they are important parts of maintaining food safety in a commercial kitchen. Proper storage, clean preparation surfaces, safe water and adequate hand-washing facilities can help reduce the risk of contamination.
Borivali Outlet Had Several Compliance Lapses
The Domino’s outlet in Borivali West was also found to have multiple shortcomings during the inspection. The FDA identified concerns involving food storage, temperature monitoring, food testing, cleanliness and pest control. Authorities also directed the outlet to improve the way different types of food were stored and handled. One of the requirements involved proper segregation of raw and cooked food. The outlet was also instructed to maintain separation between vegetarian and non-vegetarian food.
The FDA further called for better cleaning and sanitisation of kitchen equipment and utensils. Pest-control measures were also required to be strengthened. For a restaurant serving a large number of customers every day, these procedures are particularly important. A lapse at any stage of food handling can potentially affect food quality and safety.
Ghatkopar Outlet Failed To Follow FIFO And FEFO
The Domino’s outlet at R-City Mall in Ghatkopar West was also found to have deficiencies in cleanliness, sanitation and pest control. Inspectors additionally found that proper FIFO and FEFO practices were not being followed for food storage. FIFO stands for First In, First Out. It means older stock should generally be used before newer stock. FEFO stands for First Expiry, First Out, where products approaching their expiry date are prioritised for use.
Both systems are important in commercial kitchens because they help businesses manage food inventory and reduce the possibility of expired or deteriorated products remaining in storage. The Ghatkopar outlet was also found to lack certain food-grade certificates and records. These included documentation related to equipment calibration, preventive maintenance and food and water testing. Such records help demonstrate that food preparation equipment and safety processes are being monitored regularly.
Malkapur Outlet In Satara Also Penalised
The FDA’s action was not limited to Mumbai. A Domino’s outlet in Malkapur, Satara district, also had its food business licence suspended after inspectors identified several non-compliances. The issues reportedly involved basic facilities, equipment, cleanliness and pest control. The action against the four outlets forms part of the broader food-safety enforcement campaign being carried out across Maharashtra.
The campaign comes at a time when the state’s food regulator has been conducting inspections of restaurants, bakeries, clubs and other establishments. In recent months, several well-known Mumbai food establishments have also faced licence suspensions following inspections that flagged alleged food safety violations.
FDA Inspected 104 Restaurant Establishments
The Domino’s outlets were among a much larger group of food businesses inspected during the special drive. According to the information provided by the FDA, authorities inspected 104 establishments belonging to major restaurant chains across Maharashtra. The inspection drive included brands such as Domino’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, Subway, Burger King, Starbucks and Monginis. The action resulted in 95 improvement notices being issued.
Operations at two establishments were also ordered to stop immediately, while the food business licences of five establishments were suspended with immediate effect. The figures show the scale of the enforcement exercise. It was not focused on a single brand. Instead, authorities examined food safety practices across several major restaurant chains. Maharashtra’s FDA has previously conducted large-scale inspections involving major chains such as Domino’s, Pizza Hut, Burger King, KFC, Subway and McDonald’s, with improvement notices and licence suspensions issued following violations.
What The Licence Suspension Means
The suspension of a food business licence does not necessarily mean that an outlet has been permanently shut. In the case of the affected Domino’s outlets, the action is linked to the violations identified during inspections. The establishments will have to address the deficiencies and meet the required food safety and hygiene standards before their licences can be restored.
This distinction is important for consumers because a licence suspension is a regulatory action connected to compliance. It does not automatically mean that the brand as a whole has been banned from operating. The affected outlets are expected to take corrective measures relating to the issues highlighted by inspectors.
Why Food Hygiene Checks Matter
Food safety is not limited to the quality of ingredients. It covers almost every stage of the food preparation process. That includes receiving ingredients, storing them at appropriate temperatures, preventing pest infestations, cleaning equipment, maintaining personal hygiene, separating different types of food and keeping accurate records.
Temperature monitoring is particularly important for frozen and perishable products. Poor temperature control can affect food quality and increase the risk of spoilage. Similarly, pest control is a basic requirement for commercial kitchens. Recent FDA inspections in Mumbai have also uncovered serious pest-related and sanitation issues at other food establishments, prompting licence suspensions. The FDA’s wider enforcement campaign therefore highlights the importance of maintaining these standards consistently rather than only during inspections.
Increased Scrutiny Of Restaurant Chains
The action against Domino’s comes amid increasing scrutiny of food businesses across Maharashtra. In recent weeks, the FDA has taken action against restaurants, bakeries, clubs and other food establishments over alleged hygiene and food safety violations. The regulator has also inspected establishments run by prominent institutions and issued stop-business orders where officials found serious concerns. The wider crackdown suggests that food safety authorities are looking more closely at compliance across the industry.
For restaurant chains, this means maintaining consistent standards at individual outlets is becoming increasingly important. A national or international brand name does not remove the responsibility of ensuring that every kitchen follows food safety requirements.
What Consumers Should Know
For customers, the latest action is also a reminder to pay attention to food hygiene when eating outside. Visible cleanliness, proper food handling and well-maintained kitchens are important indicators of a restaurant’s overall practices. However, many food safety processes happen behind the scenes and cannot always be judged by customers.
Regulatory inspections therefore play an important role in identifying issues that consumers may never notice. At the same time, the affected outlets have the opportunity to address the deficiencies identified by authorities and work towards meeting the required standards.
Conclusion
The Maharashtra FDA’s action against four Domino’s Pizza outlets has brought food safety and hygiene practices back into focus. Three Mumbai outlets in Vile Parle West, Borivali West and Ghatkopar West, along with an outlet in Malkapur, Satara, faced licence suspensions after inspections identified multiple shortcomings.
The issues ranged from food storage and pest control to sanitation, temperature monitoring, food testing and safety documentation. The Ghatkopar outlet was also found to have deficiencies involving FIFO and FEFO inventory practices.
The action is part of a much wider inspection drive covering 104 restaurant establishments across Maharashtra. With 95 improvement notices issued and several establishments facing stronger enforcement measures, the message from the food regulator is clear: restaurant businesses are expected to maintain food safety standards consistently. For Domino’s, the next step will be to address the violations identified at the affected outlets and demonstrate compliance before the suspended licences can be restored.
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