Hyderabad: AIMIM President and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi sought fair food safety enforcement for city eateries during a meeting with TG SAFE Commissioner Avinash Mohanty on Monday, November 9.
Owaisi, accompanied by a delegation from the Twin Cities Hotel Owners Association, raised concerns over recent food safety inspections and enforcement drives. The delegation urged authorities to follow statutory procedures before taking stringent action against hotels and restaurants.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Owaisi said officials should strictly follow Section 32 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
He stressed that the department should issue Improvement Notices for minor deficiencies. Moreover, hotel managements should receive reasonable time to rectify violations before authorities initiate severe measures, including immediate suspensions.
Owaisi seeks fair food safety enforcement under Section 32
Owaisi emphasised the need for fair food safety enforcement while addressing the concerns of hotel and restaurant operators. He said the delegation had requested the Food Safety Department to follow the provisions of Section 32 during inspections and subsequent enforcement proceedings.
Accordingly, the delegation sought an opportunity for hotel managements to correct minor shortcomings through Improvement Notices rather than face immediate suspension. The Hyderabad MP also highlighted operational challenges faced by commercial kitchens while maintaining food safety standards.
He specifically referred to difficulties associated with preparing biryani in large quantities. Additionally, he raised concerns about the practical challenges of wearing gloves while working in extreme cooking heat.
Owaisi also drew attention to traditional methods used by eateries to store fresh produce. He cited these practices while explaining the operational conditions under which hotel and restaurant staff work.
Hotel owners urged to maintain hygiene standards
While seeking fair food safety enforcement, Owaisi reiterated that hotel owners remained committed to maintaining high hygiene standards. He said restaurant operators were committed to serving safe, quality food and complying with applicable food safety requirements.
At the same time, he urged hotel and restaurant proprietors across Hyderabad and Secunderabad to maintain strict cleanliness standards. He also called on food business operators to fully comply with food safety regulations, despite the practical difficulties associated with commercial kitchen operations.
The meeting with Commissioner Avinash Mohanty focused on the concerns raised by the Twin Cities Hotel Owners Association regarding recent inspections and enforcement action. Owaisi maintained that authorities should provide an opportunity to correct minor deficiencies while ensuring that eateries continued to meet prescribed hygiene and food safety standards.