Hyderabad: As the Diwali festival approaches, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has intensified inspections on sweet shops across the city to ensure food safety and hygiene standards. So far, officials have checked 27 shops, and many more inspections are planned in the coming days.
Under the directions of the GHMC Commissioner, the Food Safety Wing began a special drive to monitor food quality, water used for preparation, and hygiene in kitchens and sales counters. Moreover, the civic body aims to prevent the sale of unsafe or improperly labelled food during the festive rush.
GHMC steps up surprise checks across the city
“The Food Safety Officers are conducting surprise inspections in their respective areas. About 27 shops were inspected, and the drive will continue,” said P. Murthy Raju, Assistant Food Controller, GHMC.
Officials across several GHMC circles carried out the checks on Wednesday. During the operation, they detected multiple violations of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Rules and Regulations, 2011. Consequently, GHMC issued notices to the shop owners and instructed them to rectify the problems immediately. In serious cases, the civic body will initiate adjudication proceedings.
Inspectors list hygiene violations in sweet shops
The inspection teams found a range of violations, including poor pest control, untested water, broken flooring, and fly infestation in display areas. They also noted dirty ovens, open dustbins near sweets, and food handlers working without gloves or hairnets. Additionally, some shops lacked medical records for their staff.
GHMC warns of strict action for repeat offenders
Officials instructed shop owners to follow proper hygiene and labelling standards at all times. “Every sweet item must display the date of preparation and shelf life,” the GHMC statement said.
Furthermore, GHMC urged business operators to test water quality regularly, keep their premises clean, and ensure that food handlers maintain personal hygiene. The corporation also warned that repeat violations would lead to strict legal action.