Deepavali checks: TG SAFE finds hygiene lapses at Telangana sweet shops, collects 38 samples
Food safety officials in Telangana have collected 38 food samples on suspicion of adulteration and flagged hygiene and safety violations at sweet shops, bakeries and dairy units across the State, during a special pre-Deepavali inspection drive.
The Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG SAFE) carried out the drive on October 23, inspecting 53 establishments in districts including Hyderabad, Siddipet, Khammam, Nizamabad, Warangal, Karimnagar and Mahabubnagar.
Officials reported a range of violations at some establishments. These included damaged flooring with food waste littered on the premises, unclean washing areas, drains clogged with food waste, and walls coated with dust and food spillage.
Several units did not maintain required records, including pest control documentation and health records of food handlers, officials said. Some food handlers were found working without hairnets and gloves, while exhaust systems and chimneys were greasy at some premises.
Improper storage practices were also reported. In some places, food articles were kept directly on the floor, and food and non-food items were stored together.
As part of enforcement action, officials collected 38 samples on suspicion of adulteration. The samples will be sent for laboratory testing. Officials did not specify a timeline for the results. The collection of a sample is an investigative step and does not by itself establish that a product is adulterated.
Improvement notices will be issued to 20 establishments, directing them to rectify the lapses identified during the inspections. These establishments will be inspected again to verify compliance with food safety norms. A show-cause notice will also be issued to one establishment, with further action proposed to impose penalties.
An improvement notice is an administrative direction to correct deficiencies within a stated period. It is distinct from a penalty, which follows a separate process that includes an opportunity for the establishment to respond.
The timing of the drive is significant. Sweet shops, bakeries and dairy units see a sharp rise in demand in the weeks before Deepavali, when households buy and distribute large quantities of sweets and savouries. Milk-based and prepared foods are perishable, and a rise in production volumes can strain hygiene practices if establishments do not keep pace.
State food safety authorities operate under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the rules and regulations framed under it. The law sets out requirements for the condition of premises, equipment, storage, pest control, the health and hygiene of food handlers, and the maintenance of records. Establishments are also required to hold a valid registration or licence depending on the scale of their operations.
Consumers have a role as well. Buyers can check whether a shop displays its food safety registration or licence, and can ask for a bill for their purchase. Grievances about food quality or hygiene can be raised with the local food safety office or through the official complaint channels of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
Officials said the inspections will continue and that follow-up checks will determine whether the 20 establishments named in the improvement notices have complied. The laboratory results of the 38 samples will decide whether further action, including prosecution, is warranted in any individual case.
TG SAFE has not released the names of the establishments inspected or of those issued notices. Readers seeking details about a specific shop should contact the authority directly.
