The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has intensified its food safety inspections across the state, suspending the license of a Pizza Hut outlet in Karad, Satara district, and taking action against several other food establishments for alleged hygiene and safety violations.
The Karad outlet, operated by Sapphire Foods, was found to be using the same ovens and pans for preparing vegetarian and non-vegetarian pizzas, according to FDA officials. The license was subsequently suspended over alleged violations of food safety and hygiene requirements.
In a separate inspection at a Sapphire Foods outlet in Akola, officials seized 55 kg of frozen paneer, which they classified as misbranded and substandard.
The FDA’s special inspection drive covered 104 chain restaurant establishments across Maharashtra, including major brands such as KFC, Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, Subway, Burger King, Starbucks and Monginis. Two establishments were ordered to stop operations, 95 received improvement notices and the licenses of five establishments were suspended.
In Nashik, licenses of five food establishments were suspended following inspections that revealed shortcomings involving cleanliness, food storage, water supply, equipment and pest control. Similar violations were found at two eateries in Mumbai, where officials cited deficiencies in sanitation, ventilation, water supply, food storage and pest control.
The latest action follows the suspension of the license of a Blinkit facility in Malad (West). FDA officials reportedly found a major cockroach infestation, improperly stored food and expired or tampered products at the facility. Food items were also found stored on rusted racks, while cold-storage areas lacked adequate cleanliness.
The facility has been prohibited from selling or distributing food and carrying out food-related business during the suspension period.
The FDA’s inspections highlight growing scrutiny of food safety and hygiene practices at large restaurant chains, eateries and food-distribution facilities across Maharashtra.
