TG SAFE ordered the establishments in three districts to stop operating immediately. Inspectors checked 20 restaurants and collected 21 food samples.
Food safety authorities in India’s Telangana state suspended the FSSAI licences of nine restaurants in Medak, Kamareddy and Nizamabad districts after inspections found food-safety and hygiene violations. The Hindu, citing TG SAFE, reported that ten teams carried out a special enforcement drive on Tuesday, October 6, inspecting 20 establishments across the three districts.
Officials said they found houseflies, cockroaches, rodents and rat droppings at some restaurants. Other violations included expired food and spoiled vegetables, unhygienic kitchens, improper food storage and labelling, poor drainage and inadequately cleaned utensils. Expired and contaminated items were discarded on site.
Inspectors also collected 21 food samples over suspected adulteration. Five establishments are to receive improvement notices, while six others will be served show-cause notices and may face further penalties, the authority said.
The suspended licences belong to Zyka Multi Cuisine Family Restaurant, The Malgudi Restaurant, Sri Vasudha Family Restaurant, New Udupi Krishna Bhavan, Lufyans Family Restaurant and Taj Family Dhaba in Kamareddy district, and Rejuvenate Hotel (Mr. Pottel Meat Mate), Hotel Nikhil Sai International and Hotel Glamour in Nizamabad district. All nine were directed to stop operations immediately.
TG SAFE said establishments issued improvement notices would be inspected again to check compliance. Further action against those served show-cause notices could include proceedings to impose penalties.