The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) latest food-safety offensive has thrown up a worrying trail extending well beyond the alleged lapses of five Domino’s and two Pizza Hut outlets across the state. From expired pizza dough and suspected substandard frozen paneer to poor segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, pest-control lapses, and inadequate temperature monitoring, inspections across the state have put the spotlight on the systems governing food served by both multinational chains and local eateries.

Under its “Safe Food, Safe Maharashtra” campaign, the FDA inspected 104 chain restaurant establishments on August 11, covering major names including Domino’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, Subway, Burger King, Starbucks, and Monginis. The drive resulted in 95 improvement notices, two establishments being ordered to stop business, and five food-business licences being suspended.