Food safety raids along the Hyderabad–Vijayawada National Highway have uncovered serious hygiene and storage violations at several hotels, including rodents in storage areas, insect-infested food ingredients and improperly stored meat and dairy products.
The inspections were conducted by the Telangana Safe Food Wing and Enforcement officials from 11 am on Tuesday at eateries located between Koyyalagudem and Kodad. The action covered hotels serving travellers and other users of the busy intercity route.
According to officials, cockroaches and rats were found in storage areas at some establishments, while food was being prepared in unhygienic kitchens. Inspectors also found pulses and other raw ingredients affected by insects. These findings raise immediate concerns about the conditions in which food is stored, prepared and served along a highway used by long-distance passengers and commercial traffic.
The inspection teams also reported that meat and dairy products were not being stored under the required conditions or temperatures. Some hotels were found retaining food prepared on the previous day, a practice that can create food safety risks when storage and temperature controls are inadequate.
Officials further found that one or more establishments were operating with expired Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, or FSSAI, licences. The licence status of an eatery is a basic regulatory indicator, while compliance with storage, preparation and hygiene requirements is intended to reduce risks to consumers.
Based on the violations, authorities are taking different forms of action against the establishments inspected. Some hotels are being closed, while others have received show-cause notices requiring them to respond to the findings. Improvement notices have also been served on establishments that have been asked to correct deficiencies.
The action illustrates the range of enforcement measures available to food safety authorities, from directing an establishment to make improvements to temporarily closing premises where violations are considered serious. The report supplied by the officials did not specify the number of hotels inspected, the number closed or the duration of any closures.
The inspections also highlight the regulatory challenge posed by highway eateries. These establishments serve a constantly changing customer base, making visible hygiene standards, safe storage and valid licences important parts of the public-facing infrastructure of intercity travel. For passengers, the condition of kitchens and storage areas is generally difficult to assess before buying food.
The Telangana authorities said a detailed press note would be issued after inspections at all identified establishments are completed. Further details on the establishments facing action, the specific violations recorded at each premises and the compliance steps required are expected in that communication.
