Widespread Pizza Outlet Inspections Reveal Disturbing Findings
The Telangana Food Safety Department launched a comprehensive inspection drive across 55 pizza establishments throughout the state, encompassing both the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) region and various other districts. This extensive audit included 18 Pizza Hut locations, 16 Domino’s Pizza branches, and 21 independent local pizzerias and bakeries. The findings were concerning, highlighting widespread issues with fundamental hygiene, proper licensing, and adherence to crucial food safety protocols in numerous eateries.
Pizza Hut Branches Under Scrutiny
Out of the 18 Pizza Hut outlets inspected (managed by M/s Devyani International Limited and Sapphire Foods India Limited), eight were found to be non-compliant with established regulations. Noteworthy violations included mismatched licenses and jurisdictional issues within GHMC, inadequate separation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items, and unsanitary machinery in Hanumakonda (Kazipet). Inspectors also noted that medical certificates were issued without proper examinations in Warangal, and there was poor maintenance of freezer temperatures and general hygiene records in Nizamabad and Nalgonda.
Domino’s Pizza Faces Similar Challenges
Similarly, ten of the sixteen Domino’s Pizza outlets (operated by M/s Jubilant FoodWorks Limited) were flagged for serious infractions. These included missing or expired licenses in GHMC and Nizamabad, neglected pest control schedules, a noticeable absence of glove and mask usage by staff, unsanitary machinery at the Hanumakonda (Subedari) location, and a failure to properly separate vegetarian and non-vegetarian ingredients in Mahabubnagar.
Local pizzerias and bakeries were not spared, with six out of 21 inspected outlets failing to meet standards. In Hyderabad, establishments like Pizza Paradise and Master V Bakers were found operating with expired or non-existent licenses, using old oil, selling unlabelled food products, maintaining rusty ovens, and having open cooking spaces without adequate insect protection. In Medak, Pizza Korner and La Pinoz Pizza in Kokapet/Narsingi faced citations for uncovered vegetables, neglected pest control and medical records, and inconsistent machinery cleaning protocols.
As an immediate consequence of these inspections, all unsafe food materials were promptly seized and disposed of. Samples were collected for further laboratory testing, and all implicated Food Business Operators (FBOs) received strict directives to immediately rectify the identified violations and implement necessary improvements.