The Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG SAFE) conducted a special food safety inspection drive across the Golconda and Charminar zones of Hyderabad on October 31, inspecting 22 restaurants and other food establishments.
The inspections were carried out by 22 enforcement teams comprising Food Safety Officers and police personnel. Officials reportedly found several hygiene and food safety violations, including unhygienic kitchens, pest infestations, spoiled vegetables, expired food products and improper food storage practices.
Major Food Safety Violations Found
According to the TG SAFE press note, officials observed the following violations at some establishments:
- Unhygienic kitchens, damaged flooring and water stagnation.
- Cockroach, housefly and possible rodent infestations.
- Spoiled vegetables and fungal contamination of food items.
- Expired food products and repeated use of cooking oil.
- Improper storage of raw meat, vegetables and prepared food.
- Refrigerators containing leftover food without proper labelling.
- Food handlers working without hairnets, gloves and aprons.
- Absence of mandatory pest control and employee health records.
Officials also reported instances of food articles stored directly on floors and food items being kept alongside non-food materials.
544 Kg of Food Items Discarded; 21 Samples Collected
Following the inspections, TG SAFE reported the following enforcement actions:
- 21 food samples collected on suspicion of adulteration.
- 544 kg of spoiled, contaminated, expired and pest-infested food articles discarded on the spot.
- 13 kg of used cooking oil discarded over suspected repeated use.
- Show cause notices issued to eight establishments over serious violations.
The eight establishments served notices include Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hotel Sabzi, Pista House Restaurant (Shah Ali Banda), Sweekar Hotel, Mandi at 36 Arabian Kitchen, Golconda Hotel and Resorts, Imperial Multicuisine Restaurant and Taiba Bakery.
Licences of 14 Establishments Suspended
TG SAFE announced the suspension of FSSAI licences of 14 restaurants and food establishments, directing them to stop business operations immediately in the interest of public health.
The establishments named in the press note are:
- Hotel Sri Rat, Masab Tank.
- ghavendra Udupi Veg, Tolichowki.
- Lucky Restaurant, Santosh Nagar.
- Shah Ghouse Cafe, Shah Ali Banda.
- Hotel Nayaab, Nayapool, Charminar.
- Sri Balaji Family Dhaba, Gudi Malkapur.
- Siddique Kabab Central Kitchen, Gudi Malkapur.
- Alsaba Hotel, Tolichowki.
- Mehfil Restaurant, Dilsukhnagar.
- Hotel Sri Raghavendra Udupi Veg, Santosh Nagar.
- Dine Hill Restauran
- Sohail Restaurant, Malakpet.
- Hotel Akshaya Tiffins, Malakpet.
- Hotel Venkateshwara, MJR Road.
- Aeezebo The Royal Arabian Restaurant, Salarjung Colony, Rethibowli.
The reported violations varied across establishments and included unhygienic kitchens and refrigerators, cockroach and rodent infestations, spoiled food, improper drainage, unsafe storage practices and inadequate personal hygiene among food handlers.
Food Safety Enforcement to Continue
- TG SAFE stated that further action would be initiated against establishments served show-cause notices, including proceedings for imposing penalties. The food samples collected during the inspections will be subject to further examination.
- The department’s action highlights the importance of maintaining food hygiene standards, safe storage practices and proper sanitation in restaurants and other food establishments.
- Consumers are also encouraged to remain alert and report suspected food safety violations to the concerned authorities.
Public health depends not only on food quality but also on safe preparation, storage and hygiene practices.
