The Pune division of the Food and Drug Administration has suspended the food licence of a Domino’s Pizza outlet in Warje after inspectors found live cockroaches and remains of dead cockroaches in its kitchen and food-storage areas. The action followed a special inspection of more than 25 Domino’s outlets across the Pune division.
Food safety officers inspected the Warje outlet operated by Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd on Tuesday, October 13, as part of the “Safe Food, Safe Maharashtra” campaign. According to the report, the inspection found conditions that the department considered violations of food safety and hygiene requirements.
The findings included live cockroaches and cockroach remains in the kitchen and food-storage areas. Inspectors also found that equipment used for handling vegetarian and non-vegetarian food was not properly segregated. Records of temperatures taken when food items were received were incomplete, while cleaning and disinfection practices were found to be inadequate.
The inspection also identified improper storage of food items and an unpleasant odour coming from the customer dining area’s washroom. Food-delivery personnel at the outlet did not have the prescribed identity cards, according to the report. The licence was suspended on Wednesday, October 14, after the administration reviewed the inspection findings.
The wider inspection campaign covered more than 25 Domino’s outlets in the Pune division. The FDA said serious deficiencies were found at two other outlets as well, and cases would be filed against them for penal and legal action. The report did not identify those outlets or specify the proposed penalties.
The action places food-safety compliance at organised restaurant chains under scrutiny beyond the condition of food at the point of sale. Kitchen pest control, storage practices, temperature records, segregation of food-handling equipment, sanitation and the identification of delivery staff are all part of the operational chain examined by inspectors. A failure in any of these areas can affect how food is stored, prepared and delivered to customers.
Food manufacturers and sellers are legally required to provide safe, hygienic and quality food, said Digambar Bhogawade, joint commissioner for food in the Pune division, according to the report. He said inspections of hotels, restaurants, established food chains and online food-delivery establishments were continuing, and that legal action would follow where violations were found.
The department’s next steps are expected to include further inspections and legal proceedings against outlets where serious deficiencies were recorded. The Warje outlet’s food licence will remain subject to the FDA’s regulatory action following the inspection findings.
