Domino’s Pizza To Shell Out 9.5 Lakh Rupees As A Fine For Using Unfit Cheese

International pizza chain Dominoes has been slapped with a fine of 9.5 lakh rupees by Additional District Magistrate of Shahjahanpur for using cheese unfit for consumption in their pizzas.

Facts

On 4th July 2011, food security officer Yugul Kishore took a sample of cheese from an outlet of Dominos at Shahjahanpur and dispatched it for the lab test at government regional public analysis laboratory in Varanasi. After complete and detailed examination of the sample sent, Food analyst UC Gangwar reported that the milk fat in the diced super stretch Mozzarella cheese sample was below 35 percent. 35 percent milk fat is the minimum level prescribed by the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India in Mozzarella cheese to be fit for consumption.

The report was sent to the food security officer on 5th August 2015 after the lab tests on the sample were finished in-between 22 July to 28 July 2015.

A case was filed against Jubilant Food Works (franchisee for Domino’s pizza), Schreiber Dynamic Dairies in Pune(the supplier) and the seller Suresh Upadhyaya after serving them with an official court notice.

Judgement

The trial lasted for almost two years and during the course of the trial defendant even filed a counter case arguing that sample of cheese taken was not kept under advised conditions. The court found all the three defendants guilty and imposed a fine of 9.5 lakh rupees out of which district manager of Jubilant Food Work has to pay 4 lakh rupees. The supplier Schreiber Dynamic Dairies in Pune has to pay 5 lakh rupees and the remaining balance of rupees 50 thousand rupees will be borne by the seller Suresh Upadhyaya.

Moreover, Additional District Magistrate of Shahjahanpur JK Sharma added that “the sample failed to pass the lab test and it was a serious issue as they were not delivering what they have promised.”

Spokesperson of Jubilant Food Works stated that same batch of cheese at a NABL- certified lab confirms that the fat content in the cheese is as per the limit mentioned by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. District manager of Jubilant Food was unaware of the fine imposed in this matter and added that all legal issues were being dealt with Jubilant Foods including this one as well.

Learning Outcome

Food Safety and Standard Authority will not allow any food producer big or small, to sell food-products in Indian markets which do not fulfill safety requirement and standard of quality prescribed by it.