The Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG SAFE) has launched a massive crackdown on Hyderabad's food industry, suspending licenses and issuing notices to several high-profile establishments over severe hygiene violations.
- TG SAFE inspected 21 establishments in Hyderabad and 46 statewide, citing severe hygiene failures.
- High-profile spots like Habitat Cafe and Sarvi Food Court are facing official action.
- Four major eateries had their FSSAI licenses suspended immediately for public health risks.
- Violations included pest infestations, expired food, and contaminated ingredients.
In a sweeping operation conducted on September 10, the Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs (TG SAFE) executed a rigorous food safety inspection drive across Hyderabad and the wider state. The operation, carried out by ten specialized enforcement teams comprising Food Safety Officers and police personnel, has sent shockwaves through the city's culinary landscape as several well-known eateries were found to be operating under substandard conditions.
The inspection targeted 21 establishments in the city, including restaurants, bakeries, sweet shops, and hostels. The findings were alarming, revealing a systemic disregard for basic food safety protocols. Officials reported the use of spoiled or contaminated meat and vegetables, as well as widespread infestations of cockroaches, houseflies, and rodents. Furthermore, the teams discovered unclean refrigerators, poor record-keeping, and a lack of proper segregation between vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that the inclusion of high-end and popular cafes in this crackdown indicates that brand reputation does not always equate to food safety. This move by TG SAFE serves as a critical warning to the hospitality sector that regulatory oversight is intensifying. The suspension of FSSAI licenses for multiple establishments suggests that the authorities are shifting from mere warnings to strict punitive measures to protect public health.
The discovery of pest-infested food in established urban eateries highlights a critical failure in internal quality audits and a dangerous gamble with consumer health.
The scale of action varies based on the severity of the lapses. Establishments such as 7 Sisters Restaurant, Habitat Cafe, and Keshava Reddy Sweets have been issued improvement notices and will face re-inspection. More severe penalties are pending for Casa Laban and Sarvi Food Court, which have been served show-cause notices.
The most drastic action was reserved for those posing immediate risks. TG SAFE suspended the FSSAI licenses of Lakshmi Sri Balaji Sweets and Bakery, Girl Friend Mandi, Kholani’s Fine Dine Restaurant, and Kakatiya Tiffins, ordering an immediate cessation of business operations. Similar suspensions were mirrored statewide, affecting eateries in Station Ghanpur, Karimnagar, and Tupranpet.
| Action Level | Establishments Involved | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| License Suspension | Girl Friend Mandi, Kholani’s Fine Dine | Immediate Closure |
| Show-Cause Notice | Sarvi Food Court, Casa Laban | Potential Penalties |
| Improvement Notice | Habitat Cafe, 7 Sisters Restaurant | Re-inspection Required |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Which restaurants were ordered to shut down immediately?
Lakshmi Sri Balaji Sweets and Bakery, Girl Friend Mandi, Kholani’s Fine Dine Restaurant, and Kakatiya Tiffins had their licenses suspended and were told to stop operations.
Q2: What were the primary hygiene violations found?
Violations included pest infestations (cockroaches/rodents), use of spoiled meat and vegetables, and poor personal hygiene among staff.
