The Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG SAFE) has suspended the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licences of eight cloud kitchens and restaurants in Hyderabad following inspections that uncovered serious food safety violations.
The inspections revealed cockroach and rodent infestations, expired food items, unhygienic kitchen conditions and improper food storage. Officials collected 25 food samples over suspected adulteration and discarded approximately 700 kg of spoiled and contaminated food.
A total of 24 teams comprising food safety officers and Hyderabad city police personnel inspected 23 cloud kitchens and restaurants in the CURE region on Tuesday.
The establishments whose licences were suspended include Biryani By Kilo at Gachibowli, Kulcha Kulture at Madhapur, Lucky Multicuisine Restaurant at Somajiguda, Tum Yum Innovisions at Madhapur, Zora 11/2 at Khairatabad, LO Fresh Foods at Madhapur, ITC Aashirwaad Soul Creations cloud kitchen at Gachibowli and Sodexo India Services at Kondapur.
During the inspections, officials found spoiled rice, pest-infested flour, cockroaches, rat droppings and expired food products at several establishments. Other violations included dirty kitchen equipment, improper storage of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, clogged drains, greasy exhaust systems and fungal contamination of vegetables.
Officials also found food handlers working without protective gear, raising further concerns about hygiene and food safety standards.
Apart from the eight licence suspensions, show-cause notices were issued to 10 establishments for serious violations, while improvement notices were served on five others, directing them to rectify the deficiencies.
Officials said the establishments would be reinspected to verify compliance with food safety requirements. Further action, including penalties, would be initiated wherever necessary.
The eight establishments whose licences have been suspended have been directed to immediately stop their business operations in the interest of public health.
