MUMBAI: Four Domino’s outlets across the state, including three in Mumbai, had their food licences suspended on Wednesday as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began inspections of chain outlets.A total of 104 checks were carried out at prominent food chains, and outlets such as Starbucks, McDonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, Subway, Burger King, and Monginis were inspected. Of these, two received a ‘stop business’ notice, served when a food establishment is operating without a valid licence. A total of 95 outlets were served improvement notices, and five food business licences were suspended.In Mumbai, inspectors suspended the licences of three Domino’s branches located in Vile Parle West, Borivli West, and Ghatkopar’s R-City Mall. These outlets had severe lapses, such as active pest infestations, dirty kitchen floors and backdoors, lack of proper temperature monitoring for frozen foods, and missing records for water testing and employee hygiene facilities.A Karad outlet operated by Sapphire Foods India Ltd, which operates KFC and Taco Bell, also had its licence suspended. Along with Domino’s Malkapur unit in Satara district, these branches faced action for poor compliance and hygiene issues, as well as for keeping condiments like sauces, chili flakes, and oregano with missing expiry dates.The statewide drive also included the inspection of 120 hotels, restaurants, and dhabas, resulting in 54 improvement notices and 11 additional licence suspensions. The licences of two dhabas in Bhandup — Gulsan Da Punjabi Dhaba and Mumbai Metro Dhaba — were suspended over severe hygiene violations as well as foul water, inadequate ventilation, and lack of pest control.Authorities additionally seized stocks of substandard milk and dairy products, loose edible oils, and banned items like gutka and pan masala.
