MAM
Domino’s faces FSSAI heat as viral video raises question mark on its hygiene standards
Mumbai: Days after a Twitter user posted a video allegedly showing poor hygienic practises followed at a Domino’s outlet in Bengaluru, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has swung into action. The authorities on Wednesday issued a spot memo to food business operators seeking an explanation regarding “unhygienic food handling practices” at the pizza outlet reported in the complaint.
An improvement notice was also issued based on “inspection observations” which are to be complied with within 15 days, reported news agency ANI. Further necessary action will be taken against the multinational pizza restaurant chain by the designated officer (state licensing), Bangalore Urban District, as per the provisions under the FSS Act upon receipt of the explanation, said ANI in a tweet.
Bengaluru | Alleged unhygienic practices followed at a Dominos outlet
FSSAI issues spot memo to Food Business Operators seeking explanation regarding “unhygienic food handling practices of outlet reported in the complaint.” (1/2)
— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2022
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The FSSAI crackdown comes on the back of a complaint raised by a Twitter user against alleged unhygienic practises being followed at the pizza brand’s outlet. The user had posted a picture last month, allegedly of a Domino’s outlet in Bengaluru, showing a mop and a toilet brush hanging in close proximity above the pizza dough.
The user who identifies himself as an IT graduate wrote: This is how @dominos_india serves us fresh Pizza! Very disgusted. Location: Bangalore.
He also tagged the FSSAI, the ministry of Health, the Karnataka health minister, and the union health minister.
Here is the video of the scene pic.twitter.com/fuWEZd04cm
— Sahil Karnany (@sahilkarnany) August 14, 2022
The Twitter user named Sahil Karnany followed it up with a video on 14 August, captioning the tweet, “Here is the video of the scene.”
The tweet soon became viral, with several other netizens responding to it, some of them sharing their own bad experiences with the pizza brand.
Soon after, the FSSAI took notice of the tweet. Responding to Karnany’s tweet on Tuesday, the official Twitter handle of the agency wrote, “FSSAI has taken note of the incident. The response of the FBO has been sought and appropriate action shall be taken in the matter as per the regulatory provisions under the FSS Act, 2006.”
FSSAI has taken note of the incident. The response of the FBO has been sought and appropriate action shall be taken in the matter as per the regulatory provisions under FSS Act, 2006.
— FSSAI (@fssaiindia) August 16, 2022
Meanwhile, Domino’s India has issued an official statement saying the brand adheres to “world-class protocols for ensuring the highest standards of hygiene and food safety.”
“An incident involving one of our stores was recently brought to our notice. We want to assert that this is an isolated incident, and we have taken the strictest action against the restaurant in question. Please be informed that we have zero tolerance for violations of our high safety standards,” the pizza restaurant chain further stated.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
