The Telangana State Food Safety Department recently conducted raids at well-known mandi restaurants in Hyderabad. During inspections at eateries in Banjara Hills and Khairatabad, officials discovered cockroaches, dead insects, and multiple food safety violations.
The restaurants inspected included Mandi 36 Arabian Kitchen in Banjara Hills, as well as Mandi Town and Mandi King Royal in Khairatabad. Authorities found that these places were operating in extremely unhygienic conditions, posing serious health risks to customers.
At Mandi Town in Khairatabad, food inspectors noticed live cockroach infestations in the kitchen. The refrigerator was in poor condition, with meat waste and blood spilled inside. The kitchen floor was dirty with food waste, and there were no proper drainage systems for cleaning. Officials also found synthetic food colors, which were later discarded. Additionally, the restaurant’s drinking water tank was not cleaned properly, with dead insects floating inside. Food items in the refrigerator were left uncovered and unlabelled, and raw meat like chicken and mutton was stored in an unhygienic manner, increasing the risk of contamination.
At Mandi King Royale in Khairatabad, inspectors found that the kitchen and wash area floors were dirty, with food waste scattered around. The drainage system was clogged, and chimneys were greasy and unclean. Rusty iron knives were being used in food preparation. Another major concern was the improper storage of food—vegetarian and non-vegetarian items, as well as raw and semi-cooked food, were kept together in some refrigerators. Refrigerators were also found in unhygienic conditions, with broken shelves. Due to a lack of defrosting, water droplets were falling onto uncovered food, which could lead to contamination.
At Mandi 36 Arabian Kitchen in Banjara Hills, the inspectors found that the flooring was in poor condition, and the kitchen ceiling was dark and sooty. Chimneys were greasy and dusty, while exhaust vents were not fitted with mesh to prevent insects from entering. Rusty iron knives were being used, and grilling pans were found to be unclean and greasy.
These violations raise serious concerns about food safety and hygiene at these popular restaurants. Authorities are expected to take further action to ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
