Punjab Consumer Commission Takes Action Against Domino’s Pizza
A food order at a Domino’s Pizza outlet in Punjab turned into a legal battle after a customer allegedly discovered a dead bee inside a pizza. The Punjab State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has now held Domino’s Pizza India and Jubilant Food Works Limited responsible for serving an unhygienic food item and directed the company to deposit Rs 10,000 with the PGI Poor Patient Welfare Fund.
The case has drawn attention to food safety standards in fast-food chains and highlights the growing awareness among consumers regarding their rights.
Commission Modifies Earlier Compensation Order
The matter was heard by a bench comprising Justice Daya Chaudhary, president of the Punjab State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, and member Simarjot Kaur. The bench was reviewing an appeal filed by Domino’s Pizza India and Jubilant Food Works Limited against an earlier order passed by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, SAS Nagar (Mohali), on June 5, 2025.
Previously, the district consumer commission had partly allowed the complaint filed by advocate Gurpyar Singh and another customer. The district forum had ordered the company to pay Rs 1 lakh as compensation for mental agony, harassment, and litigation expenses caused to the complainants.
However, while hearing the appeal, the state commission decided to modify the compensation amount.
State Commission Reduces Compensation to Rs 10,000
In its order dated May 6, the Punjab State Consumer Commission observed that the fast-food company should still be penalised for the lapse in food hygiene. The commission stated that serving contaminated or unhygienic food items to customers is a serious issue and requires deterrent action.
The bench noted that although the compensation amount awarded earlier was high, some form of penalty was necessary to ensure accountability.
Accordingly, the state commission reduced the compensation from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10,000. Instead of paying the amount directly to the complainants, the commission directed Domino’s Pizza India and Jubilant Food Works Limited to deposit the money with the PGI Poor Patient Welfare Fund.
The commission said this step would serve as a deterrent against negligence in maintaining food quality and hygiene standards.
How the Domino’s Pizza Dispute Began
The incident dates back to June 24, 2021, when advocate Gurpyar Singh visited a Domino’s Pizza outlet along with another customer. Singh is known to practise before the Punjab and Haryana High Court as well as district courts in Chandigarh, Patiala, and Sangrur.
During the visit, the customers ordered two pizzas and soft drinks worth Rs 1,060.94. According to the complaint filed before the consumer forum, the dining experience turned unpleasant after a dead bee or fly was allegedly found inside one of the pizzas while it was being consumed.
The complainants claimed that the incident caused shock, discomfort, and mental harassment. They further alleged that the food item served by the restaurant was unhygienic and unsafe for consumption.
Consumer Rights and Food Safety Concerns
The case once again highlights the importance of food safety and hygiene in restaurants and fast-food outlets across India. Consumer courts have repeatedly stressed that food businesses are responsible for maintaining proper cleanliness and quality standards while preparing and serving food.
Under consumer protection laws, customers have the right to seek compensation if they are served contaminated or defective food products that may affect their health or mental well-being.
Legal experts believe that such cases send a strong message to food chains and restaurant operators regarding the need for stricter quality checks and employee supervision.
Domino’s and Jubilant Food Works Yet to Comment
As of now, there has been no detailed public statement from Domino’s Pizza India or Jubilant Food Works Limited regarding the latest order passed by the Punjab State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.
Jubilant Food Works Limited is the master franchisee for Domino’s Pizza in India and operates hundreds of outlets across the country.
The case has generated significant discussion online, with many consumers expressing concerns about hygiene standards in food delivery and dine-in services.
Growing Awareness Among Consumers
Consumer rights activists say that awareness regarding food quality and legal remedies has increased significantly in recent years. More customers are approaching consumer forums when they face issues related to defective products, poor services, or food contamination.
The Punjab consumer commission’s decision is being viewed as another example of how consumer forums are encouraging accountability while balancing compensation claims.
Experts also advise consumers to preserve bills, photographs, and evidence whenever they encounter such incidents, as proper documentation plays a key role in consumer disputes.
Conclusion
The Domino’s pizza case from Punjab has once again brought food safety standards into the spotlight. Although the compensation awarded by the district forum was reduced, the state consumer commission still held the fast-food company accountable for serving an allegedly unhygienic food item.
The order directing Domino’s Pizza India and Jubilant Food Works Limited to deposit Rs 10,000 with the PGI Poor Patient Welfare Fund serves as a reminder that businesses dealing with food products must maintain strict hygiene and quality standards to protect consumer trust and safety.