Hyderabad: Contaminated food items were found at several food establishments during a special TG-SAFE inspection drive in Kukatpally on September 9. Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs officials conducted surprise checks with police personnel at 20 hotels, bakeries, sweet shops and PG hostels.
During the inspections, officials found spoiled vegetables, mutton and chicken at several establishments. The food safety teams immediately disposed of the contaminated meat and vegetables found during their inspections.
Meanwhile, officials also found cockroaches, flies and rats in some areas. They reported several other violations, including unhygienic surroundings and unclean refrigerators.
The inspections also revealed problems with record keeping and the segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items. In addition, officials collected samples of suspected contaminated food items and sent them to a laboratory for quality testing.
The special drive also resulted in action against an unlicensed hostel. GVK New Luxury PG Men’s Hostel was found operating without the required licences and was subsequently shut for violating food safety regulations.
Contaminated food items trigger notices and licence action
Officials issued notices to six establishments and directed them to correct the deficiencies identified during inspections. The establishments named in the notice were Sri Mahalakshmi Kendra, Case Bakers, Lakshmi Vengamamba Hostel, Padmavati Deluxe Mess, Mahefil Restaurant and Sriharsha Deluxe Mess.
Authorities said they would conduct another inspection to check compliance. Further action would follow if the establishments failed to rectify the violations, officials said.
Show-cause notices were also issued to four establishments over food safety violations. They were Paradise Food Court, Chaitanya Food Court, Bhulakshmi Mess and Godavari Sweets.
Officials said further action would be taken against these establishments, including fines for violations of food safety regulations. The action formed part of the wider inspection drive in Kukatpally.
Separately, authorities suspended the FSSAI licences of five establishments and ordered them to stop business activities immediately. Officials said the decision aimed to protect public health following the violations found during inspections.
The five establishments were Manikantha Live Space Luxury Women’s Hostel, Balaji Luxury Men’s PG Hostel, Hotel Sitara Grand, Bake Max Foods Pvt. Ltd (Brown Beer Manufacturing Unit), and Mandi King Arabian Restaurant.
Authorities identified cockroach infestations, fungus-contaminated raw materials and unclean cold storage areas at the establishments. They also found deficiencies in refrigerator maintenance during the inspections.
The action followed surprise checks by TG-SAFE officials and police personnel across 20 food establishments. Officials said establishments that failed to comply with food safety requirements could face further action during subsequent inspections.