Food department raids McDonald’s and Domino’s in Patna; 160 spoiled pizzas destroyed.
Patna. Amidst the excitement of Durga Puja in Bihar, the Food Safety Department has started tightening the noose on big fast food restaurants in the capital Patna. On Saturday, October 17, 2026, the Health Department team conducted a surprise inspection of three outlets of McDonald’s and Domino’s. During this period, many serious shortcomings related to food safety and cleanliness came to light. Around 160 defective pizza screens were found in two Domino’s outlets, which were destroyed on the spot by officials. Their price is said to be around Rs 32 thousand. At the same time, deficiencies related to cleanliness and pest control were found in McDonald’s restaurants. The Food Safety Department has issued improvement notices to the concerned establishments and directed them to make necessary improvements within 14 days. Failure to follow the rules may result in suspension or cancellation of the license.
Action taken on the instructions of Food Safety Commissioner
On the instructions of Food Safety Commissioner Kumar Ravi, the Health Department team inspected food establishments in Patna. Officials inspected Ambition Ojha Plaza in Kadamkuan and Domino’s outlet in Lohianagar, Kankarbagh.
Apart from this, the storage area and other arrangements of the McDonald’s Family Restaurant located at East Gandhi Maidan were investigated.
During the inspection, officials observed the quality of food items, storage system, cleanliness, pest control and adherence to food safety standards.
After many irregularities were found in the investigation, instructions were given to the concerned operators for immediate improvement.
160 spoiled pizza screens found in two Domino’s outlets
During the investigation, the biggest action took place at both the Domino’s outlets. Officials found around 110 defective pizza screens at the Lohia Nagar outlet and around 50 at the Kadamkuan outlet.
Pizza screens are equipment used in the process of preparing or cooking pizza. The investigation team found their condition unfit for use.
After this, under Section 38(4) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, about 160 defective pizza screens were destroyed on the spot. Their estimated value is said to be around Rs 32 thousand.
Officials clarified that the cleanliness and quality of equipment used to prepare food items is also an important part of food safety standards.
Flaws found in drainage and sanitation system
Not only were faulty equipment found in Domino’s outlets, several deficiencies in cleaning and storage systems were also found.
The inspection team found that the cleaning of drainage at some places was not satisfactory. The problem of water accumulation was also observed. Apart from this, deficiencies related to the cleanliness of the cutting board and the shelf keeping the goods were revealed.
The inspection also revealed that the sauce bottles kept for the use of customers were not cleaned regularly.
Officials instructed the concerned operators to improve cleanliness and keep food items safely.
Records of temperature and raw materials are also incomplete
The investigation by the Food Safety Department also found deficiencies in the record keeping system at Domino’s outlets.
Officials did not find logbooks of temperature of the deep freezer and necessary records related to raw materials available. Apart from this, clear dates were also not mentioned in the pest control report.
The department directed that the temperature of the deep freezer should be recorded regularly and complete details of the raw materials used should be preserved.
Along with this, instructions were given to keep vegetarian and non-vegetarian items separately and to organize records related to pest control.
Open dustbins found in McDonald’s, lack of pest control
During the inspection of McDonald’s Family Restaurant located at East Gandhi Maidan, the officials found the storage system satisfactory. Necessary medical certificates of the employees were also available.
However, some significant deficiencies came to light during the inspection. Dustbin was found open in the restaurant and footmat with disinfectant system was not available at the main entrance.
Additionally, the menus displayed to customers did not contain necessary warnings regarding possible allergies to the foods.
Officials instructed the operator to keep dustbins covered, improve pest control systems and include necessary warnings in the menu.
The restaurant management has been asked to rectify the hygiene related deficiencies within seven days. Also, a 14-day improvement notice was issued under the Food Safety Act.
Mustard sauce sample taken for testing
During the inspection, a sample of mustard sauce was also taken from McDonald’s Family Restaurants.
The Food Safety Department will examine the sample and assess its quality and compliance with the prescribed standards.
At present, the results of laboratory testing of the sample have not been revealed. Therefore, it would not be appropriate to claim that the sauce is adulterated or unsafe.
If there is no improvement in 14 days, action will be taken against the license.
The Food Safety Department has directed the concerned establishments to rectify the deficiencies within 14 days.
After rectifying the irregularities revealed during inspection, the operators will have to submit compliance related information to the department.
If necessary improvements are not made within the stipulated period, action such as license suspension or revocation can be taken under food safety rules.
The department has clarified that it is important to provide safe and quality food items to the common people.