Food Safety Raids Popular Outlets in Hyderabad, Finds Shocking Violations

24th May, 2024.

In a surprise inspection, the Commissioner of Food Safety in Hyderabad paid visits to several popular food outlets, including The Rameshwaram Cafe, Baskin Robbins, Karachi Bakery, Taco Bell, KFC, Hard Rock Cafe, and Starbucks Coffee. What was uncovered was alarming and has left many wondering how these establishments managed to maintain their high ratings on food delivery apps like Swiggy and Zomato.

The inspection revealed a multitude of violations at The Rameshwaram Cafe alone. A staggering 100 kg of Urad Dal, worth Rs. 16,000, was found to have expired in March 2024, along with 10 kg of Nandini Curd and 8 L of Milk, valued at Rs. 700. Furthermore, improper labelling was observed on raw rice (450 kg), white lobia (20 kg), and unlabelled jaggery (300 kg) - all without the required medical fitness certificates. The dustbins were also found to be poorly covered.

What's more disturbing is that these outlets, despite their high ratings, were storing vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods together in the refrigerator. This raises serious concerns about food safety and hygiene. In some cases, like at Bahubali Kitchen, cockroach infestations, unhygienic conditions, and water stagnation were found in the cleaning area. At Clove Vegetarian Fine Dine, yeast-infected carrots were discovered.

These findings are a stark reminder that even popular establishments can fall short of maintaining proper food safety standards. It is imperative that authorities take swift action to address these issues and ensure that the food served to consumers meets the required levels of quality and hygiene. In the meantime, it is crucial for customers to exercise caution when ordering from these outlets and to report any concerns or violations they may encounter.