Mumbai: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the food-business licences of five outlets of major restaurant chains following a statewide inspection drive that uncovered multiple food-safety and hygiene violations.
The inspections were carried out on August 11 across 104 outlets operated by several popular food chains, including Domino’s, Pizza Hut, KFC, McDonald’s, Subway, Burger King, Starbucks and Monginis. The action was part of a wider effort by the state food regulator to ensure that large restaurant chains comply with prescribed food-safety standards.
Four of the five outlets whose licences were suspended were Domino’s Pizza restaurants operated by Jubilant FoodWorks. Three of them are located in Mumbai at Vile Parle West, Borivali West and R-City Mall in Ghatkopar West. The fourth Domino’s outlet is located in Malkapur, Karad, in Satara district. A Pizza Hut outlet in Karad, operated by Sapphire Foods, was also among those facing licence suspension.
Officials said the inspections found violations related to food handling, hygiene and other mandatory safety requirements. Some outlets reportedly had serious shortcomings in maintaining prescribed standards, prompting the FDA to take immediate regulatory action.
The inspection drive also resulted in stop-business orders being issued against two outlets in the Greater Mumbai region. The orders mean the concerned establishments cannot continue their food business until they address the violations and comply with the required safety norms.
The FDA's action comes amid increased scrutiny of food businesses across Maharashtra. Authorities have been conducting inspections not only at smaller eateries but also at well-known national and international restaurant chains that serve large numbers of customers every day.
Officials have stressed that popular brands are not exempt from food-safety rules and that restaurants must maintain the same standards regardless of their size or reputation.
The suspended outlets are expected to remain shut until they rectify the shortcomings identified during the inspections and obtain the necessary clearance from the food regulator. Further action could follow if subsequent inspections find continued non-compliance.
The latest crackdown has also drawn attention to the importance of maintaining proper kitchen hygiene, safe food storage and appropriate handling practices at commercial food establishments.
The FDA has indicated that inspections will continue as part of its efforts to strengthen food-safety enforcement across the state. The August 11 drive, which covered more than 100 outlets, is among the larger recent inspection exercises targeting organised restaurant chains in Maharashtra.
