Hyderabad Food Safety Raids Uncover Multiple Violations
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation’s (GHMC) food safety department has been actively cracking down on food safety violations in city hotels, restaurants, and eateries. In a major operation, the department raided over 50 establishments, uncovering several violations, including unhygienic conditions and expired food items. Show cause notices were issued to the management of businesses found in violation of food safety standards.
During this special drive, food safety officers inspected a wide range of establishments, including popular hotels, restaurants, tiffin centers, supermarkets, and manufacturing units. Over the last three days, they raided 53 establishments, exposing issues such as misleading product claims and poor hygiene.
At Sky Food Products in Rajendranagar, a confectionery manufacturing unit, officers seized 950 kilograms of cocoa powder and 75 kilograms of colored sugar-coated saunf for analysis. A show cause notice was issued to the establishment for various defects.
In other notable raids, Hotel Savera in Chaderghat was found with unhygienic flooring, sidewalls, and dishwashing areas. At Kohirs Ginger Garlic Unit in Malakpet, officers instructed the management to adopt better inventory practices, such as first-in-first-out (FIFO) and first-expired-first-out (FEFO), and to remove misleading claims from product labels.
At ‘O Cakes’ in Saleemnagar, food safety officers directed the display of manufacturing and expiration dates on pastries. The dining area at Sri Pragnya Bhavan Hostel in Chikkadpally was found to be unhygienic. Masala Mantra in Gandhinagar was caught using food colors, which were discarded, while Mahadev Food Court in the same area was found with expired masala and synthetic colors, also discarded on-site.
The department also targeted several establishments in Mehdipatnam, including Mohammedia Shawarma and Agra Chat Bhandar, and in Alwal, where they inspected Balaji Eshwar Mithai Bhandar, Savera Restaurant, Ankapur Ruchulu, Narsing Meals, and Deccan Cuisine. Similar raids were conducted in Neredmet-Malkajgiri at 1980s Military Hotel, Aharnaya, and Lardven Food Court.
Inspections continued in areas like King Kothi, where Saffron Restaurant and Sai Baba General Store were scrutinized, and Yousufguda, where officers checked Ushodaya Supermarket, Paruchuri Foods, Venkatara Chicken Mart, Vaishnavi Tiffin, and Sambasivarao Tiffin. Additionally, popular eateries like Niagara Hotel, Al Matam Al Baith Mandi, Old Mumbai Ice Cream, and Hotel Delhi Datarkhan in Malakpet were inspected.
At Lakdikapul, officers found alarming hygiene issues during raids at Khan-E-Khas, Shahi Dastarkhan, and Bade Miya Kebabs. A live cockroach infestation was discovered in kitchen premises, expired food items were found at Shahi Dastarkhan, and rat feces were spotted on shelves at Khan-E-Khas. Cobwebs and general unhygienic conditions were noted at Bade Miya Kebabs.
Food Safety Commissioner RV Karnan emphasized the department’s commitment to improving food safety across the state. He revealed that 3,774 hotels and street food vendors had been registered with FSSAI licenses and registrations within a month of the special drive.
Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha acknowledged the department’s challenges, noting that it had not been strengthened in proportion to the growing number of hotels and the city’s rising population over the past decade. He assured that efforts were underway to bolster the department, including hiring more food safety officers to match the city’s needs.
These measures reflect the authorities’ determination to ensure food safety and hygiene for Hyderabad’s residents and visitors.
