Indian state shuts some Domino's, Pizza Hut outlets, citing hygiene lapses

Business Recorder reported that authorities in the Indian state of Maharashtra have suspended the licences of four Domino's outlets, with one Pizza Hut store also affected. The state's Food and Drug Administration pointed to grease residue and insect infestations at the pizza chain sites, while missing expiry dates were found on products at the Pizza Hut store. The action came as part of an intensifying push by food regulators across India.

The Food and Drug Administration's note reached Reuters late on Thursday and covered inspections carried out earlier in the week. On Tuesday alone, officials visited more than 100 outlets in the state and handed improvement notices to 95 of them. Food safety chief Tukaram Mundhe, whose raids on well-known eateries have drawn wide online attention, said his department was taking a firm line on food quality.

Jubilant FoodWorks, which runs Domino's outlets in India, declined to comment, while Sapphire Foods, the Pizza Hut franchisee, did not respond to Reuters. Domino's Pizza Inc. and Yum Brands, which owns Pizza Hut, had not replied to requests for comment either. With around 2,400 outlets, it ranks as the largest overseas fast-food and pizza operator in India.