Telangana food safety inspections have led to the closure of eight eateries across Hyderabad and three neighbouring districts after officials found alleged licensing, hygiene and food-safety violations, according to the Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG SAFE).
TG SAFE suspended the food-safety licences of seven eateries in Nalgonda, Suryapet and Yadadri Bhuvanagiri districts and ordered them to stop operations. Hotel Sai Priya in Nakrekal was also ordered shut after officials found that it was operating without a Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licence and in unhygienic conditions.
Ten teams comprising food-safety officials and police inspected 20 restaurants in the three districts and collected 20 food samples suspected of adulteration. The establishments whose licences were suspended included 7 Midway Plaza and Anjana Tiffins in Nalgonda; Tanuja Hotels, Rajugari Thota and Sri Mamatha Lodge and Restaurant in Suryapet; and Sri Aadhya Grand Family Restaurant and Sangam Hotel in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri.
The action followed another round of inspections in Hyderabad. Earlier on Tuesday, TG SAFE suspended the licences of NR’s Nandini Sudha at Chikkadpally, Sai Darshini and Universal Restaurant in Vengal Rao Nagar, and Harsha Delux Mess in Ameerpet. The establishments were instructed to stop operations immediately in the interest of public health.
Officials also ordered the Padmasree Canteen at the IACG Hostel Mess in Madhapur to stop operations after finding that it was functioning without an FSSAI licence and in unhygienic conditions. During the Hyderabad inspections, teams collected 16 food samples on suspicion of adulteration.
The enforcement action also covers eateries that have not yet been ordered to close. TG SAFE is expected to issue show-cause notices to seven establishments, including Imperial Multicuisine Restaurant in Hafeezpet, Kolkata House and Raju Gari Biryani in Madhapur, Anandobramha Fine Dine Restaurant and Rayalaseema Ruchulu in Ameerpet, and Avuna Restaurant in Madhapur.
TG SAFE will issue an improvement notice to Absolute Barbeque in Jubilee Hills and reinspect the establishment to verify compliance with food-safety norms. Further action, including penalties, will be initiated based on the findings, the report said.
The inspections highlight the role of licensing and routine enforcement in regulating the city’s food-service network. For residents, the immediate concern is whether eateries comply with basic hygiene requirements and hold the licences required to operate. For the regulator, the next steps will depend on laboratory findings from the collected samples, responses to show-cause notices and the results of follow-up inspections.
