The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has suspended the food licence of a Domino’s Pizza outlet in Warje, Pune, after an inspection found live cockroaches and dead cockroach remains in the kitchen and food storage areas. The suspension took effect immediately on October 14, following an inspection conducted on October 13 by an FDA food safety officer.
The action was announced in a press note issued by the FDA’s Pune Division. D Bhogawade, Joint Commissioner (Food), FDA, Pune Division, confirmed the suspension of the outlet’s food licence, numbered 11521034000028. The outlet is operated by Jubilant FoodWorks Limited.
According to the FDA, officials also found inadequate segregation of equipment used for handling vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. The inspection recorded incomplete temperature records for incoming food supplies, inadequate cleaning and sanitation, and unhygienic food storage conditions.
The inspection report further noted an unpleasant odour from a washroom located in the dining area. The FDA also found that prescribed identification cards were not available for food delivery personnel at the outlet.
The action followed a special inspection drive covering more than 25 Domino’s Pizza outlets across Pune. The FDA said significant deficiencies were identified at two other outlets during the drive. Adjudication proceedings will be initiated against those outlets to seek penalties, according to the department’s press note.
The Warje outlet’s licence suspension is the strongest action announced in connection with the inspection drive so far. Under the stated action, the outlet cannot continue food business operations under the suspended licence while the suspension remains in effect. The FDA press note did not specify the duration of the suspension or outline a date for a possible review.
The inspection covered several operational areas that affect food safety at the point of sale, including pest control, sanitation, storage, supply-chain temperature documentation and the handling of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. These checks are part of the regulatory oversight applied to restaurants, food chains and food delivery establishments operating in the city.
The FDA said the drive forms part of a wider campaign against unsafe food, adulteration and unhygienic food business practices under Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe. The Pune Division said inspections of restaurants, food chains and food delivery establishments would continue to help ensure safe and hygienic food for consumers.
The department’s next steps include continuing inspections across the city and initiating adjudication proceedings against the two other Domino’s outlets where significant deficiencies were reported. The FDA press note did not provide further details about those outlets or the specific penalties being sought.
