India: Cockroaches, unhygienic food preparation practices found in restaurants at Malakpet and Dilsukhnagar

A special task force representing Telangana's Commissioner of Food Safety has been conducting inspections in different restaurants, cloud kitchens, and dairy stores around Hyderabad. They conducted an inspection on 7 August 2024 at Malakpet. At Al Saud Bait al Mandi, the force disclosed several violations by the restaurant staff and owner. The team stated a lack of proper labelling and covering of food items. The team also noted the use of synthetic food colours in the kitchen. They also highlighted the windows and doors fitted without insect-proof screens, and live cockroach infestation.

The team unearthed similar violations at Capital Multicuisine Restaurant in Malakpet on the same day. The task force on investigation mentioned the unavailability of proper pest control and health certificates. Live cockroach infestation was observed with house flies in the kitchen. They further mentioned about the unhygienic storage of food. The officials also discarded synthetic food colours used by the restaurants in the food.

On 9 August 2024, the task force visited MoonBean restaurant and bar in Malakpet. Officials noted that the restaurant was functioning with an expired FSSAI licence. The team found similar and more violations at the restaurant. Synthetic food colours and expired items, with a cockroach infestation in the fridge and store room.

The team visited Tipsy Topsy Bakers in Dilsukhnagar on 9 August 2024 and discarded an expired pack of biscuits and a cauliflower infected with fungus. Some food items without manufacturing and expiring dates were discarded, and food handlers were found without gloves and caps. The required records of pest-control certificates and medical fitness certificates were unavailable.

A few violations were found during the investigation at Sahadeva Reddy Pure Ghee Sweets in Dilsukhnagar on 9 August 2024. The task force discarded a few packed items that had manufacturing and expiry dates missing and also seized 50 kgs of packed chana dal for a similar reason. There was an unavailability of required certificates, and windows and doors were not fitted with insect-proof screens at the restaurant.

(With inputs from agencies)