Hyderabad: Food safety and police teams conducted Hyderabad sweet shop raids at 32 retail, manufacturing and central kitchen units, seizing 15 tonnes of food articles worth Rs 30 lakh.
The Enforcement Wing of the Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs, or TG SAFE, deployed 15 teams for the surprise inspections. Food Safety Officers and police personnel jointly inspected businesses engaged in manufacturing and selling sweets and savouries across the Core Urban Region.
Officials detected hygiene, storage, labelling and packaging violations during the inspections. They also collected 35 food samples on suspicion of adulteration for further examination.
Authorities suspended the licence of Burfi Ghar at Bachupally and directed the establishment to stop business operations immediately.
Hyderabad sweet shop raids uncover hygiene violations
Officials reported a lack of proper hygiene at some of the inspected establishments. The teams also found expired food articles during the inspections. Moreover, authorities detected violations in the handling and storage of food products.
Spoiled vegetables with fungal infestation were also found at inspected premises. Officials identified violations of Food Safety and Standards labelling and display regulations. The inspections also detected violations of applicable packaging regulations.
In addition, teams found products carrying what authorities described as misleading claims or advertisements. Pest and rodent infestation was another violation detected during the Hyderabad sweet shop raids.
The findings prompted authorities to initiate regulatory action against establishments based on the violations observed.
Burfi Ghar licence suspended after inspections
Authorities suspended the licence of Burfi Ghar in Bachupally following the enforcement exercise. Officials also ordered the establishment to discontinue its business operations immediately.
In addition, food safety authorities issued 12 improvement notices following the inspections. Four show-cause notices were also issued to establishments over violations identified during the drive.
Meanwhile, officials seized about 15 tonnes of food articles. Authorities estimated the value of the seized food products at Rs 30 lakh. The 35 samples collected during the operation were lifted because officials suspected possible adulteration.
TG SAFE deploys 15 enforcement teams
TG SAFE’s Enforcement Wing formed 15 teams comprising Food Safety Officers and police personnel for the operation. The teams inspected 32 retail and manufacturing units, including central kitchens.
All the establishments were involved in the manufacture or sale of sweets and savoury products in the CURE Region. The Hyderabad sweet shop raids focused on food hygiene, storage practices, product quality, packaging and compliance with labelling requirements.
Officials also checked establishments for expired products, fungal contamination and pest or rodent infestation. The enforcement action resulted in one licence suspension, 12 improvement notices and four show-cause notices.
Authorities also seized food articles valued at Rs 30 lakh and collected samples for further examination over suspected adulteration.