Hyderabad: 14 restaurant licences suspended over food safety violations
The Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs suspended several establishments after finding pest infestations and contaminated food during inspections.
Food safety authorities suspended the FSSAI licences of 14 restaurants in Hyderabad on Saturday following inspections that revealed hygiene violations and pest infestations, according to Urban Acres.
The Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG SAFE) conducted the special inspection drive in the Golconda and Charminar zones using 22 enforcement teams comprising Food Safety Officers and police personnel.
The teams inspected 22 food establishments and discarded 544 kg of spoiled or contaminated food. Officials also discarded 13 kg of used cooking oil on suspicion it had been repeatedly reused.
Inspections reportedly found cockroach and housefly infestations, fungus-contaminated vegetables, expired products, and raw meat stored alongside vegetarian food. Other violations included greasy walls, damaged flooring, and food handlers working without hairnets or gloves.
The 14 suspended establishments include Hotel Nayaab, Shah Ghouse Cafe, Dine Hill Restaurant, Sohail Restaurant, Aeezebo The Royal Arabian Restaurant, Hotel Sri Raghavendra Udupi Veg, Lucky Restaurant, Sri Balaji Family Dhaba, Siddique Kabab Central Kitchen, Alsaba Hotel, Mehfil Restaurant, Hotel Akshaya Tiffins, and Hotel Venkateshwara.
TG SAFE also issued show-cause notices to eight other establishments, including Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hotel Sabzi, Pista House Restaurant, Sweekar Hotel, Mandi at 36 Arabian Kitchen, Golconda Hotel and Resorts, Imperial Multicuisine Restaurant, and Taiba Bakery. The authority said additional action, including penalties, would be initiated against those served notices.