Hyderabad: The Food Safety Department of Telangana has continued its crackdown on unhygienic food practices in Hyderabad. Recently, the Task Force conducted raids at several restaurants in Secunderabad, where they discovered serious violations, including the presence of live cockroaches and rats.
One of the restaurants raided was Blue Sea Tea and Snacks in Regimental Bazar. Inspectors found cockroaches inside the kitchen, and the establishment was not displaying its Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licence. The kitchen was cramped, making it difficult to clean properly, and pests like cockroaches and rats were present.
The restaurant’s walls were dirty and covered with spillage, and there was poor ventilation and lighting. Additionally, the eatery lacked proper dustbins and was operating without medical fitness certificates and FoSTaC (Food Safety Training and Certification) certificates.
Another restaurant, Sree Sai Balaji Foods on SD Road, was found to have severe hygiene issues. The kitchen floor was littered with food waste, and stagnant water was found in a clogged wash basin. Food safety officers also noticed that both vegetarian and non-vegetarian items were stored together, which is a violation of safety standards. Rotten lemons were discovered in storage, and some refrigerators were found dirty and filled with food waste.
Furthermore, food items like buns, tea powder, and biryani masala were found without any proper labeling.
The Food Safety Department also carried out inspections in Karimnagar district on October 10 and 12. At Maitri Hotel, Karimnagar, officers found multiple safety violations, including cobwebs and spiders on the kitchen ceiling, which led to oil deposits. The kitchen and storage areas were unhygienic, and semi-cooked food items were left exposed to flies and placed near open dustbins.
These raids highlight the ongoing efforts to ensure food safety and hygiene in the region.
