HYDERABAD, September 28: Telangana food safety authorities have intensified enforcement in Hyderabad after 11 restaurants had their FSSAI licences suspended and were directed to stop operations following inspections that found multiple food safety and hygiene violations.
The action was taken by the Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG SAFE) during a special enforcement drive on September 26. Ten teams comprising food safety officers and police personnel inspected 20 establishments across Madhapur, Hitec City and Gachibowli. Officials also collected 21 food samples on suspicion of adulteration.
According to officials, inspections uncovered a range of violations, including cockroach and rodent infestations, rat faeces, expired and spoiled food, fungal contamination, improper storage and labelling, unhygienic kitchens and drainage problems. Poor refrigeration practices and inadequate pest-control measures were also reported at some establishments.
Among the restaurants whose licences were suspended were Monastery, Coal Spark Multi Cuisine Restaurant, Kanchi Cafe, Udupi’s Upahar, Shivani The Restaurant and Bar, Al Saba Restaurant, Antera Kitchen and Bar, Lucky Multicuisine Restaurant, Sai Ram Mess, Am Aha Telugu Kitchen and Bar, and Fusion 9/Amnesia Sky Bar.
At some establishments, officials reported particularly serious hygiene concerns. At Antera Kitchen and Bar, inspectors found spoiled and fungus-contaminated vegetables, expired food, cockroach infestation, blocked drains and improper refrigerator storage. At Fusion 9/Amnesia Sky Bar, officials reported cockroaches, rat faeces and expired or unlabelled food.
TG SAFE also reported violations involving food-handler hygiene and missing mandatory records at several establishments. Officials said that the action was part of a wider enforcement effort aimed at ensuring compliance with food safety regulations in Hyderabad’s restaurants and eateries.
Separate improvement notices were issued to six establishments, including Rameshwaram Cafe, Ishtaa, Sahibs Barbeque, Pakka Local, Hotel Shadab and Shah Ghouse. These establishments are expected to rectify the identified deficiencies and face further inspection.
Show-cause notices were also planned for three other establishments, with further action and penalties dependent on the outcome of regulatory proceedings. TG SAFE has indicated that establishments receiving improvement notices will be re-inspected to assess compliance.
The latest action forms part of a broader food-safety enforcement drive in Telangana, with authorities increasing inspections of restaurants, hotels, cafes and other food establishments. The inspections are intended to identify violations and ensure that food businesses meet prescribed safety and hygiene standards.