Mohali, June 8 – In a food safety case that dragged on for nearly four years, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Mohali has ordered Domino’s to pay ₹1 lakh in compensation to two customers who fell ill after allegedly consuming a pizza containing a dead honeybee.
The complaint was filed in 2021 by Gurpyar Singh, an advocate from Dhuri in Sangrur district, and Surinder Kumar, a resident of Dhanas, Chandigarh. The two stated they had ordered a pizza from a Domino’s outlet in New Sunny Enclave, Kharar, on June 24 that year. Upon discovering a dead honeybee in the pizza, they consumed it and reportedly developed symptoms of nausea and vomiting.
According to the complaint, both were subsequently admitted to Government Multi-Specialty Hospital (GMSH), Sector 16, Chandigarh, for treatment. The matter escalated when the outlet manager allegedly dismissed their complaint and misbehaved with them.
“The complainants have clearly established that a dead honeybee was found in the pizza they purchased, which caused them health issues and distress. This warrants compensation for the harassment and mental agony suffered,” the commission stated in its ruling, which was delivered on Thursday.
The consumer panel, led by president S.K. Aggarwal and member Paramjeet Kaur, directed Jubilant FoodWorks, which operates Domino’s in India, to pay ₹1,00,000 to the complainants. The amount includes compensation for emotional distress as well as litigation expenses.
Domino’s, represented by its Kharar outlet manager Ronny, denied all allegations. In its defence, the company emphasized its large-scale operations—over 1,300 outlets across India and abroad—and claimed a high standard of hygiene and food safety protocols.
“Each pizza is baked at 515°F for more than five minutes, which makes it highly unlikely for any insect to survive the process,” the company stated. “The photographs submitted by the complainants showed the insect’s wings and legs intact, suggesting it was placed on the pizza after baking. This appears to be an afterthought,” the defence argued.
Despite Domino’s assertions, the commission rejected the defence’s claims. It ruled that the evidence submitted by the complainants—particularly the presence of the honeybee and the subsequent health complications—was sufficient to hold the company liable.
The ruling brings closure to the complainants’ pursuit of justice, which began in June 2021. “This isn’t just about money,” said Gurpyar Singh. “It’s about holding food businesses accountable and making them answer for lapses in safety.”
The order underscores the legal obligations of food service operators to ensure product safety and fair treatment of consumers—especially when public health is at stake.
