Hyderabad: Telangana Food Safety Wing suspended the licences of 14 eateries following a city-wide food safety drive on Saturday. Officials also issued show-cause notices to eight other establishments across the Golconda and Charminar zones. The department warned that the outlets could face further action, including penalties.
Twenty-two teams of Food Safety Officers and police personnel inspected 22 restaurants and food establishments simultaneously. During the inspections, officials discarded 544 kg of food unfit for consumption. They also seized 13 kg of cooking oil suspected of repeated use and collected 21 food samples for suspected adulteration.
The inspections covered hotels, restaurants, bakeries, central kitchens and smaller eateries in the Old City and nearby areas. Teams visited Charminar, Shahalibanda, Falaknuma, Tolichowki, Santoshnagar, Masab Tank, Gudimalkapur, Malakpet, Dilsukhnagar and Lakdikapool.
Inspectors found unhygienic kitchens and washing areas, poorly maintained refrigerators and heavy grease deposits. Some premises had cockroaches, houseflies and rodents. Officials said these conditions posed sanitation and food contamination risks.
Teams also found spoiled and expired food, along with items stored improperly. They reported lapses in food-handler hygiene and gaps in mandatory records. Photographs released by the department showed grimy kitchen surfaces, unclean washing areas and grease around cooking stations.
Food safety drive targets outlets across Hyderabad
Among the 14 outlets that lost their licences were Hotel Sri Raghavendra Udupi Veg on Obul Reddy Colony Road in Tolichowki and an outlet at Santoshnagar. Lucky Restaurant at Santoshnagar, Shah House Cafe at Shahalibanda and Hotel Nayaab at Nayapool in Charminar also faced closure.
Sri Balaji Family Dhaba at Gudi Malkapur, Siddique Kabab Central Kitchen at Gudimalkapur, Alsaba Hotel at Tolichowki and Mehfil Restaurant at Dilsukhnagar were also on the list.
The other outlets included Dine Hill Restaurant at Masab Tank, Sohail Restaurant and Hotel Akshaya Tiffins at Malakpet. Hotel Venkateshwara on MJR Road and Azeeba The Royal Arabian Restaurant at Salarjung Colony, Rethibowli, also lost their licences.
The department issued show-cause notices to eight more establishments. These included Taj Falaknuma Palace at Engine Bowli and Pista House Restaurant at Shahalibanda. Hotel Sabzi at Itbar Chowk in Eiljagutta Colony and Sweekar Hotel at Santoshnagar also received notices.
Other establishments served notices were Mandi at 36 Arabian Kitchen in Charminar, Golconda Hotel and Resorts at Masab Tank, Imperial Multicuisine Restaurant at Tolichowki and Taiba Bakery on Bazarghat Main Road, Lakdikapool.
Following the inspections, the Food Safety Wing issued a public advisory asking diners to check whether outlets display valid Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licences. It also urged consumers to avoid food that appears spoiled, smells unusual or tastes suspicious.
People wishing to lodge complaints were advised to retain bills and record the outlet’s name, location and visit date. The department reminded food business operators to maintain clean premises, store food safely, carry out pest control and follow food safety rules.
The Food Safety Wing said public health depended on safe food practices and responsible businesses. It urged diners and restaurant operators to work together to prevent contamination and maintain hygiene standards.
