FDA suspends licences of 17 Mumbai food outlets, including three Domino's branches

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken major action in Mumbai over food quality and cleanliness. Licences or registrations of 17 food establishments in the city have been suspended. These include three outlets of Domino's Pizza.

The FDA acted against the Domino's outlets at Parel, Marol in Andheri East and Borivali West. The Parel outlet is at Rangoli Time Complex, Dr Ambedkar Road. The Marol outlet is at Raj Industrial Complex, Military Road. The Borivali West outlet is at Nirman Height building, Link Road, opposite Don Bosco School. These outlets are run by Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd.

According to the FDA, inspections found infestations of insects and rats, lapses in food storage, dirty premises, and non-compliance with required documents and rules.

Inspections and re-inspections found serious cleanliness and food safety lapses at various establishments. Cockroaches and other insects were found at some places, while at others rats had gnawed food packets. Some establishments were using spoiled food items and burnt or overused oil. The FDA also said raw and cooked food had not been kept properly separate, and the necessary precautions had not been taken in storing vegetarian and non-vegetarian items.

Inspectors found dirty floors, water pooled in food-handling areas, open dustbins and unclean refrigerators at some places. Some establishments had no records of refrigerator temperature control or of equipment repair and maintenance. Staff preparing food lacked the required aprons, headgear and other protective gear.

The FDA checked not only cleanliness but also compliance with food safety rules. Some establishments had not displayed the FSSAI licence at the front. Pest control reports, training certificates of food handlers, purchase bills and other required records were also missing. At some places, earlier improvement notices from the FDA had not been complied with. Strict action was therefore taken after re-inspection.

The Domino's outlet at Parel had been inspected earlier as well. The lapses were not rectified even after an improvement notice, so further action followed. On re-inspection, vegetarian and non-vegetarian items were found stored in the same deep freezer. The FDA also said the same oven or grill was being used to prepare chicken and paneer.

Alongside the Mumbai action, the FDA also acted against food safety violations in other parts of the state. In these actions, 24,406 kg of suspected substandard, unsafe and misbranded food stock was seized. According to the FDA, its value is about Rs 50.19 lakh.