Hyderabad food safety drive uncovers hygiene violations at five restaurants

Food safety teams from the Cyberabad Municipal Corporation (CMC) conducted inspections at five restaurants in Hyderabad on July 4, uncovering multiple hygiene lapses including stale food, cockroach infestations, and rat droppings.

The inspections covered establishments in Kondapur, Gachibowli, and Madinaguda localities. Officials reported instances of spoiled cooked food, improper storage of raw and cooked meat, and inadequate sanitation practices.

At Wah Mandi in Kondapur, inspectors found stale and spoiled cooked mandi, boiled eggs, and chicken wings, which were discarded on the spot. They also observed that raw and cooked meat were stored together, and vegetarian and non-vegetarian items were not properly separated. The utensil washing area lacked hot water sanitisation, and walls and ceilings in the vegetable cutting section were flaking.

At Mandi King in Gachibowli, officials found raw and cooked non-vegetarian food stored together without covering. A food handler confirmed that cooking oil had been reused continuously for four days, prompting officials to order its immediate disposal. The kitchen had a greasy exhaust system, inadequate utensil washing area without hot water sanitisation, rusted doors, and a heavy fly infestation. Raw material handling, cutting, and cooking were conducted in the same confined workspace, leading to wet and unhygienic floors.

At Firewater Fine Dining Bar, the inspection team reported a cockroach infestation in the store area and rat droppings on the premises. Rust was found inside the freezer, and raw chicken was stored directly without proper wrapping. Open dustbins were present inside the kitchen.

At Am Aha Kitchen and Bar in Madinaguda, inspectors found cockroaches in the store area, rat droppings, rust inside the freezer, and raw chicken stored without proper wrapping. Open dustbins were also noted inside the kitchen.

At Kake Di Hatti in Madinaguda, officials discarded several prepared food items that lacked labels. Boiled vegetables were stored uncovered on the floor near the washing area. The kitchen had open dustbins, greasy exhaust systems, and unclean corners. Food waste and stagnant water were found near drains, and raw materials were stored in unlabelled containers. Cooked cauliflower with visible mould growth was discarded immediately, and crates used for storing utensils were unclean.

The CMC stated that further action, including notices or penalties, would be taken based on the severity of violations. The inspections are part of ongoing efforts to enforce food safety standards in the city.