HYDERABAD: The Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG SAFE) has suspended the food safety licences of 14 restaurants and eating establishments in Hyderabad and issued show-cause notices to eight others following inspections that revealed serious hygiene and food safety violations.
According to a report by Telangana Today, 22 enforcement teams comprising Food Safety Officers and police personnel inspected 22 establishments across the Golconda and Charminar zones on October 31. The inspections uncovered cockroach and housefly infestations, rotten vegetables, fungal contamination, expired food products and improper storage of food items.
The 14 establishments whose Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licences were suspended include Hotel Nayaab at Nayapul, Shah Ghouse Cafe at Shahalibanda, Dine Hill Restaurant at Masab Tank, Sohail Restaurant and Hotel Akshaya Tiffins at Malakpet, and Aeezebo The Royal Arabian Restaurant at Rethibowli. The list also includes outlets of Hotel Sri Raghavendra Udupi Veg, Lucky Restaurant, Sri Balaji Family Dhaba, Siddique Kabab Central Kitchen, Alsaba Hotel, Mehfil Restaurant and Hotel Venkateshwara.
TG SAFE directed all 14 establishments to immediately stop business operations in the interest of public health.
During the drive, officials collected 21 food samples on suspicion of adulteration and discarded 544 kg of spoiled vegetables, leftover food, expired products and food articles affected by pests. Another 13 kg of used cooking oil suspected to have been repeatedly used for frying was also discarded.
Telangana Today reported that inspectors found live cats inside the kitchen of Siddique Kabab Central Kitchen, while cockroaches were found in the drinking water storage tank at Aeezebo. Other violations included raw and cooked food being stored together and food items being covered with newspapers.
Eight establishments, including Taj Falaknuma Palace, Pista House Restaurant, Hotel Sabzi, Sweekar Hotel, Mandi at 36 Arabian Kitchen, Golconda Hotel and Resorts, Imperial Multicuisine Restaurant and Taiba Bakery, were issued show-cause notices. Further action, including penalties, will be considered against them.
The food samples collected during the inspections are expected to undergo laboratory testing. The authority has not yet announced the results.