The Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG SAFE) shut down two cafes and suspended Hotel Shadab’s FSSAI licence in Hyderabad on September 2 after inspections found multiple food safety violations.
Nine enforcement teams comprising food safety officers and police personnel inspected 19 cafes and snack shops across the city as part of a special drive. Officials found expired and spoiled food, poor hygiene, improper storage and handling, and infestations of houseflies and cockroaches.
Dreamz Cafeteria in Bagh Lingampally and Asiatic Cafe in Punjagutta were shut down after officials found that the establishments were operating without valid FSSAI licences or registrations.
The FSSAI licence of Hotel Shadab’s Madina Circle branch was suspended, and its management was directed to stop operations with immediate effect. Officials found several lapses related to hygiene, sanitation and the storage and handling of meat and other food articles.
However, the hotel was reportedly open for business on September 2 night despite the direction to stop operations.
Across the 19 establishments, officials found open dustbins and littered waste in food preparation areas, food handlers without headgear, expired food articles and violations of food labelling and display regulations. Some establishments also lacked records such as Food Safety Training and Certification (FoSTaC) training certificates, health records of food handlers and pest control documentation.
Housefly and cockroach infestations were also reported at some establishments. Perishable food exposed to dust and flies was discarded on the spot, while tea powder, ginger-garlic paste, biscuits and other items suspected to be adulterated were seized.
A total of 15 food samples were collected and sent for analysis over suspected adulteration.
TG SAFE said improvement notices would be issued to 12 establishments, including Cafe Persia, Bahar Biryani Cafe, Cafe Deccan, Honeymoon Cafe, Rio Restaurant, Aromale Hospitality, Friends and Cafe, Diamond Point Hotel, Hotel Imroz, Blue Sea Tea and Snacks, Nimrah Cafe and Bakery, and Gulzar Foods.
The establishments will be re-inspected to check whether the violations have been rectified. Officials said further action would be taken based on the findings of the re-inspections.
Show-cause notices have also been issued to Golden Cafe, Dreams Cafeteria, Mirosa Cafe and Kitchen, Asiatic Cafe and Hotel Shadab. Officials said further action, including penalties, would be considered based on the responses and inspection findings.