Eight Hyderabad restaurants lose FSSAI licences, one shut over food safety violations

The Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG SAFE) on Thursday, September 24, suspended the FSSAI licences of eight restaurants in Hyderabad and ordered the closure of another for operating without an FSSAI licence, following inspections that found food safety and hygiene violations.

The action followed a special drive conducted by eight enforcement teams comprising Food Safety Officers and police personnel across Hyderabad. A total of 15 establishments were inspected during the drive.

According to TG SAFE, officials found several violations, including cockroach, housefly and rodent infestations, the presence of rat faeces, expired and spoiled food, poor hygiene among food handlers, improper storage and labelling of food products, unclean utensils, poorly maintained drainage systems and greasy exhausts and chimneys. Some establishments were also found to have wet and untidy flooring and inadequate records relating to pest control and the health of food handlers.

The action followed a special drive conducted by eight enforcement teams comprising Food Safety Officers and police personnel across Hyderabad. A total of 15 establishments were inspected during the drive
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Special Arrangement

The eight establishments whose FSSAI licences have been suspended are Acsys Hospitality LLP, which operates Aroma Multicuisine Restaurant in Jayabheri Enclave in Gachibowli, Aditya Restaurant and Bar at Safilguda, Vaishnavi Darshini at Begum Bazar, Spicy Hub (Green Treat Restaurant) at Kothapet, Pakwan Grand Restaurant at Raidurg, Godavari Ghumaghumalu at Hafeezpet, Sri Krishna Family Dhaba Pure Veg at Gopanpally, and Sri Sai Mess Branch, an outlet of Babai Hotel, at Kondapur.

Lucky Restaurant at Pragathinagar, Bachupally, was closed for operating without an FSSAI licence and for heavy cockroach infestation and unhygienic conditions. TG SAFE officials said that a show-cause notice will be issued to Nexar Hoflich Food and Beverages, which operates Asaa Neo Indian Kitchen at Puppalguda, with further action proposed for the violations found during the inspection.

TG SAFE officials also collected 16 food samples on suspicion of adulteration during the inspections
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Special Arrangement

Officials also collected 16 food samples on suspicion of adulteration during the inspections. Improvement notices will be issued to five establishments, with follow-up inspections planned to verify compliance with food safety requirements, they said.